Historians have long considered the Battle of Monmouth one of the most complicated engagements of the American Revolution. Fought on Sunday; June 28; 1778; Monmouth was critical to the success of the Revolution. It also marked a decisive turning point in the military career of George Washington. Without the victory at Monmouth Courthouse; Washington's critics might well have marshaled the political strength to replace him as the American commander-in-chief. Authors Mark Edward Lender and Garry Wheeler Stone argue that in political terms; the Battle of Monmouth constituted a pivotal moment in the War for Independence. Viewing the political and military aspects of the campaign as inextricably entwined; this book offers a fresh perspective on Washington’s role in it. Drawing on a wide range of historical sources—many never before used; including archaeological evidence—Lender and Stone disentangle the true story of Monmouth and provide the most complete and accurate account of the battle; including both American and British perspectives. In the course of their account it becomes evident that criticism of Washington’s performance in command was considerably broader and deeper than previously acknowledged. In light of long-standing practical and ideological questions about his vision for the Continental Army and his ability to win the war; the outcome at Monmouth—a hard-fought tactical draw—was politically insufficient for Washington. Lender and Stone show how the general’s partisans; determined that the battle for public opinion would be won in his favor; engineered a propaganda victory for their chief that involved the spectacular court-martial of Major General Charles Lee; the second-ranking officer of the Continental Army. Replete with poignant anecdotes; folkloric incidents; and stories of heroism and combat brutality; filled with behind-the-scenes action and intrigue; and teeming with characters from all walks of life; Fatal Sunday gives us the definitive view of the fateful Battle of Monmouth.
#146975 in Books University of Oklahoma Press 2011-02-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.06 x 6.13l; 1.54 #File Name: 0806141859416 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. relevant book for today an interesting topicBy CheChristianThis is really an excellent book. If you want to understand Irish history around 1848 and then Civil War history and some of its immediate aftermath this is a good book with the general background of this error. More importantly this part if he really shows the life of a interesting and some ways great man. Most people don't realize that during the American Civil War around 25 percent of all Union soldiers were foreign born. That's pretty significant and of course is this book show there was significant hostility and racism towards many of the recent immigrants. The Irish in particular. This is interesting in our own debate today regarding who true Americans are and other immigration issues. But at any rate this is a really interesting story about a very interesting person and a great story about a part of the civil war in mid 19th century America0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not just good info and research - but well written - flows wellBy PrivacyI read in the preface that Mr. Wylie is a kind of amateur historian; and that this is his first book. So I was hoping that the research would be good; and was prepared for writing that was perhaps not as engaging as; say; a popular historian like Ambrose or Ellis. Well; kudos to Mr. Wylie (or to his editor?)- not only is this very thoroughly researched; and presented in an easy-to-follow chronological order; but the writing flows very well. I have learned so much; about Irish history; the Civil War; Montana; and about this complex character Thomas Francis Meagher.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Peak's too early; ends too late; but still a good read.By Alan L. EmeryThe life of Thomas Meagher starts well; gets incredible in the middle and then terrible at the end. The author has neatly matched this in The Irish General. Thomas Meagher was born into a well to do family in Ireland in the early 1800s and almost immediately used his family's resources to put himself into a better position to attack British rule of his beloved island nation. The Irish General follows his rise leading a failed grass roots effort to remove the English that ultimately leads to his expulsion; his exile and finally his escape to the United States on the eve of the Civil War.The author does a terrific job of taking us through Meagher's efforts to muster an all Irish Regiment and that Regiment's exploits in the war. The General and his Irish Brigade ended the war among the highest casualty rates of any unit of the war and the terrible price his men paid weighed heavily on Meagher's mind.But as the General begins to drink more heavily and his career turns to politics the writer delves deeper into the detail of Meagher's last year. The author is a lawyer from Montana so the detail into this part of the General's life is probably expected; but Meagher's final year is certainly not the highlight of his life; nor of this book. That year was dominated with minutia of Montana Politics and Indian / American affairs; the General's ill health and budgetary processes dominate the final paragraphs of the book to the book's detriment.Finally; the General's death was shrouded in mystery and for ages has stirred mentions of collusion; murder and even suicide. But the author saves the General's death and the after math for only the final six or eight pages.I am certainly happy that I purchased the book and read it and would still recommend it to anyone interested in the fascinating life of Thomas Francis Meagher. You will fly through the first 150 pages riveted by the passion with which Meagher fought for an Independent Ireland and the drama of his unit's actions in this country's bloodiest war. But as his life drags on to an untimely and unromantic ending the book drags as well.
