Was Lt. Gen. James Longstreet a lackluster; indecisive leader or a victim of political circumstances? Though traditionally saddled with much of the blame for the Confederate loss at Gettysburg; Longstreet was actually a capable; resourceful; and brave commander; argues historian Alexander Mendoza. Confederate Struggle for Command offers a comprehensive analysis of Longstreet’s leadership during his seven-month assignment in the Tennessee theater of operations. Mendoza concludes that the obstacles to effective command faced by Longstreet had at least as much to do with longstanding grievances and politically motivated prejudices as they did with any personal or military shortcomings of Longstreet’s. Longstreet’s First Corps parted company with Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia in September 1863. Subsequently; the First Corps contributed decisively to the Confederate victory at Chickamauga. But when Longstreet then joined a group of disaffected generals in denouncing Braxton Bragg; the commanding general of the Army of Tennessee; the resulting imbroglio hampered the effectiveness of the entire First Corps. Confederate Struggle for Command adds an important layer of nuanced understanding to the career and legacy of Lt. Gen. James Longstreet; and will be an enjoyable and informative source for Civil War buffs; military historians; and interested general readers.
#398103 in Books Ingramcontent 2017-06-20 2017-06-20Original language:English 8.20 x 1.20 x 5.20l; 1.25 #File Name: 1598535226775 pagesJohn Quincy Adams Diaries 1821 1848 The Library of America
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy John E. GillmorAmerican pre-civil war history from one of the players.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. John Quincy Adams In The Library Of America: 1821 -- 1848By Robin FriedmanJohn Quincy Adams (1767 -- 1848) served as the sixth president of the United States and combined a life of public service with study and intellectual activity. Beginning from adolescence and continuing until his death; Adams kept a detailed diary which offers invaluable insight into his public and private life and into the events of his day. The Library of America has published a two-volume set of excerpts from Adams' massive diary selected and edited by David Waldstreicher; Distinguished Professor of History at the Graduate Center; City University of New York. The first volume includes excerpts from the diary beginning with Adams' earliest entries in 1779 and concludes in 1821; with the end of the first presidential term of James Madison; with Adams serving as Secretary of State. The second volume; which I am reviewing here; begins in 1821; with Madison's inauguration for his second term. It includes in 1848; with Adams' final diary entry written three days before his death.In a diary entry of October 1846 (p.622);Adams reflects on the scope and breadth of his diary and realizes its unusual; probably unique; character in documenting the life of a statesman. The diary; and this volume; covers a momentous era and shows many changes in Adams' life and era. Adams reflects on the political events in which he was deeply involved; including his service as Secretary of State; President; and Congressman. He also displays a wide-ranging love for the life of the mind; including religion; philosophy; literature; languages; and science. The diary also includes personal details of Adams' life; including his marriage to Louisa Johnson; the tragic deaths of two of the couple's sons; and the deaths of Adams' celebrated parents; John and Abigail Adams. John Quincy Adams writes fully and well. It is a rare privilege to get to hear his voice and his thoughts.Earlier editions of Adams' diaries have tended to focus on the political entries. The new LOA edition is valuable because in allows the reader to see Adams' personal life as well. I find Adams' frequent reflections on religion and philosophy at least as interesting; and probably more so; that his reflections on the events of his day.This book is arranged in seven chapters; following the numbering of the companion LOA volume. Chapter VIII covers Adams' service as Secretary of State during Monroe's second term (1821 -- 1825) during which Adams played a large role in the development of the Monroe Doctrine. The entries for this period also show the political machinations of the day which ultimately led to Adams' election as president; even though he received a minority of the votes and allegations of a "corrupt bargain" which Henry Clay which dogged both Clay and Adams for the remainder of their lives.Adams' reflections show well that the messiness of the American political process is hardly a new phenomenon and thus offers the reader a broad; historical perspective into current events. In an entry of November 1822; (p.33) Adams reflects on his own historical reading on the history of Great Britain and writes: "The public history of all Countries; and all ages; is but a sort of mask richly coloured -- The interior working of the machinery must be foul. There is as much mining and countermining for power; as many fluctuations of friendship and enmity; as many attractions and repulsions; bargains and oppositions ... as might be told of our own times. ... And shall not I too; have a tale to tell?"Chapter IX of this book covers Adams' unfortunate presidency; dogged by the controversy over his election; by his status as a minority president; and by his own inflexibility. Adams sought early to united the country through a strong Federal government for all the people and through a system of public improvements; including a national university. His administration never got off the ground.Chapter X of the book covers Adams brief retirement from public life; his growing interest in botany; and tragedies in his personal life. The final three chapters of the book cover Adam's long 17-years of service (1831 -- 1848) in the U.S. House of Representatives as a member from Massachusetts. Adams' service in the House is itself a high accomplishment following his early long career as diplomat; Secretary of State; and President. The diary entries from these years tend to be more weighted towards political activity than the earlier entries. The selections describe meticulously Adams' activities in the House and the activities of his opponents. Many of the entries involve the "gag" rule. Adams became notorious for his attempts to present petitions from constituents and others calling for the elimination of slavery. The House; with the Southern members and their Northern supporters; enacted a "gag" rule forbidding the receipt of petitions relating to slavery. Adams persisted over his career and was twice nearly censured. Finally; in Adams' last term in Congress; the gag rule was abolished. Adams' efforts on the gag rule get much attention in the diaries.The entries from Adams' Congressional years also show his opposition to the acquisition of Texas and to the War with Mexico. They show as well his dogged persistence in the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution; with a bequest received from a British subject. In the latter part of his service in Congress; Adams participated in the defense of slaves on a Spanish slave ship in a case known as the "Amistad"; the subject of a movie a few years ago. The diary shows Adams' work and reflections on his participation in the case. Adams attempted to distance himself from the Abolitionists; but he was a strong opponent of slavery. He was pessimistic about both the immediate and the ultimate fate of the Union based upon the divisions in our country resulting from slavery. These issues are still with us.In Adam's final diary entry of February 1848; (p. 626) he wrote a little poem you a young woman who had written to him:"Fair Lady; thou of human life Hast yet but little seen.Thy days of sorrow and of strife Are few and far between"Adam's diary is a work of literature in its own right. The perseverance required in reading through the two LOA volumes will be well rewarded. The volume includes a chronology of Adam's life together with explanatory notes to contextualize the diary entries and to help the reader. This volume and its companion volume make an outstanding resource for readers interested in Adams and in American history. The LOA kindly sent me a review copy of the two-volume box set of Adams' diaries.Robin Friedman0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Agree with entirely with Mr. DeGroodt....By FritzBut wanted to give this the five stars he had obviously intended and which it so richly deserves. I keep calling friends saying; "Listen to this.." while reading something else from these revelatory volumes. An invaluable and eye-opening window into a distant and hither-to; inaccessible time. Gives you hope that we do persevere. Gives you perspective. We've been through a lot. A perceptive and enlightening diarist. Fascinating.
