In Soldiering in the Army of Tennessee Larry Daniel offers a view from the trenches of the Confederate Army of Tennessee. his book is not the story of the commanders; but rather shows in intimate detail what the war in the western theater was like for the enlisted men. Daniel argues that the unity of the Army of Tennessee--unlike that of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia--can be understood only by viewing the army from the bottom up rather than the top down.The western army had neither strong leadership nor battlefield victories to sustain it; yet it maintained its cohesiveness. The "glue" that kept the men in the ranks included fear of punishment; a well-timed religious revival that stressed commitment and sacrifice; and a sense of comradeship developed through the common experience of serving under losing generals.The soldiers here tell the story in their own rich words; for Daniel quotes from an impressive variety of sources; drawing upon his reading of the letters and diaries of more than 350 soldiers as well as scores of postwar memoirs. They write about rations; ordnance; medical care; punishments; the hardships of extensive campaigning; morale; and battle. While eastern and western soldiers were more alike than different; Daniel says; there were certain subtle variances. Western troops were less disciplined; a bit rougher; and less troubled by class divisions than their eastern counterparts. Daniel concludes that shared suffering and a belief in the ability to overcome adversity bonded the soldiers of the Army of Tennessee into a resilient fighting force.
#1432852 in Books Farrow Lee A 2014-12-15 2014-12-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.38 x .92 x 6.02l; .0 #File Name: 0807158399296 pagesAlexis in America A Russian Grand Duke s Tour 1871 1872
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great book on Russian-American relations!By Michele WhisenhuntLee Farrow has chronicled a fascinating story of Grand Duke Alexis' trip around the United States in the early 1870s. This work is extensively researched and reads extremely well. Even though this visit is not well known today; it was quite the sensation at the time and tells us a lot of what Russians thought of Americans and Americans thought of Russians. This is an excellent book that should be read by all interested in Russian-American relations; but also by those generally interested in Russia and the United States. It is an outstanding accomplishment. Highly recommended!3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating documentary of the timeBy Paul E. RichardsonThe storied visit of Crown Prince Alexis (third son of Alexander II and brother of Alexander III) to the US in 1871 came at a high point in US-Russian relations. Less than a decade after Russia had stood by the Union in the US Civil War and just after the sale of Alaska; US-Russian commerce and good relations were brimming with optimism.Farrow presents a fascinating documentary of the flamboyant Romanov’s trip – including a still-famous buffalo hunting expedition with Custer and Cody; a visit to New Orleans during Mardi Gras; and countless balls and receptions; with every American town and city seeking to outdo the one before – while also offering excellent social and historical context; from Americans’ fascination with royalty; to the Washington scandal that almost sunk the visit.In fact; Alexis’ visit; while it helped kickstart an American fascination with Russian literature; culture and history; may have been the last hurrah in US-Russian relations before a century of ill will and antagonism. Soon thereafter; Kennan and others exposed the dark underbelly of tsarism: the vast Siberian prison system. There followed the pogroms and emigrations; the failed 1905 revolution; renewed repressions. Yes; there was the warm hiccup of a World War alliance and a vaporous bourgeois revolution; but soon all things were overshadowed by the Bolshevik Thermidor; Civil War; Allied Intervention; and the purges.We still have not recovered. One can’t help wondering if we ever will. So it is heartening to pick up Farrow’s history and step back to a time before resets; Cold Wars and summit meetings; to marvel at an era when the most exciting element of US-Russian relations was guessing at the significance of whom the Crown Prince had danced with during the previous night’s gala.As reviewed in Russian Life magazine.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Awesomeness!!!By Michael BartlettThis is my favorite book!!! It is a fascinating story about a little known historical event. The author; Dr. Farrow; is both a brilliant and engaging writer.5 Stars!!!
