Now in paperback; this major biography of J.E.B. Stuart—the first in two decades—uses newly available documents to draw the fullest; most accurate portrait of the legendary Confederate cavalry commander ever published.• Major figure of American history: James Ewell Brown Stuart was the South’s most successful and most colorful cavalry commander during the Civil War. Like many who die young (Stuart was thirty-one when he succumbed to combat wounds); he has been romanticized and popular- ized. One of the best-known figures of the Civil War; J.E.B. Stuart is almost as important a figure in the Confederate pantheon as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. • Most comprehensive biography to date: Cavalryman of the Lost Cause is based on manuscripts and unpublished letters as well as the latest Civil War scholarship. Stuart’s childhood and family are scrutinized; as is his service in Kansas and on the frontier before the Civil War. The research in this biography makes it the authoritative work.
#1201241 in Books Simon n Schuster 2006-04-10 2006-04-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.44 x 1.40 x 5.50l; 1.15 #File Name: 0743225074576 pages
Review
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful. Just Another Book about the Army of the Potomac? NOTBy Alan RockmanYou might be saying that this is a subject Bruce Catton covered so well in his Civil War trilogy about - yes; the Army of the Potomac which culminated in "A Stillness at Appomattox".What is significant in what Wert does; however; is that he sheds light on things that Catton didn't cover; and with hindsight has also provided a more human perspective on the commanders of Lincoln's army in the east.Example - Wert describes Lincoln's frustration and anger at George McClellan following the battle of Second Manassas; yet allowed McClellan to resume command of the army; if only for the battle of Antietam and a short time thereafter because the soldiers were in McClellan's pocket.Example - it is Wert; not Catton who elaborates why William French was such a lousy corps commander who should have been removed at the time of Gettysburg. Meade kept him on - but soon found to his dismay how incompetent French was when the hard-drinking incompetent muffed a chance for a major Union victory at Mine Run. One of the stories Wert describes is of a soldier in French's corps who upon hearing that French took a bullet in his cap wistfully wished that the bullet had gone down two inches...it would have filled him and many of his fellow soldiers with joy.Wert also sheds light on the Meade-Sickles controversy; and why Lincoln; however pleased with Meade's command of the Gettysburg battle was subsequently displeased when Meade failed to follow up and trap Lee at the Potomac. Meade's cause was not helped when he tried to endorse a monument to former Army commander McClellan over the strenuous objections of Lincoln. Wert also discusses why Grant endorsed Meade's desire to get rid of Cavalry Commander Alfred Pleasanton; but why Meade wasn't thrilled with Grant's choice of Phil Sheridan to replace him.All of the major commanders; the campaigns and battles; and even the common soldier are covered in this work in an easy narrative and index of 560 pages. Maybe not as riveting or solid as Catton - but deserves to be placed alongside the master historian's works as a perfect overall view of the history of the Union Army in the East.16 of 18 people found the following review helpful. How the Army of the Potomac Overcame AdversityBy Robin FriedmanWhat is the appeal of a new book on the history of the Army of the Potomac which covers material that has been well-explored many times? This book by the noted Civil War historian Jeffry Wert is a fast-paced; engagingly written one-volume account of the Army of the Potomac from the beginning of the Civil War until General Robert E. Lee's surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomatox in April; 1865. This book is valuable for several reasons. As with any important historical event; the meaning and significance of the Civil War is something that each generation and each reader must discover afresh for themselves. Wert's account; even if it were found to include no additional factual information; encourages reflection on the Civil War; particularly on the role of the Union's most famous army; and on other histories of the conflict. Furthermore Wert's account has a specific focus. Wert discusses the special difficulties that plagued the Army of the Potomac over the course of the Civil War; explains the sources of these difficulties; and shows how the Army ultimately overcame them. It is an inspiring story showing the value of persistence; commitment; and effort finding a goal; struggling to achieve it; and working to overcome adversity. This approach to the Civil War is convincingly presented here. Wert's heroes are the fighting soldiers in the Army of the Potomac as opposed; in general; to their frequently blundering leaders.The Army of the Potomac's original mission was the defense of Washington D.C. That mission;and the proximity of the Army to the capital city; made the Army of the Potomac unduly visible and susceptible to political influence. Wert shows the importance of these factors to the performance of the Army of the Potomac in the field. The initial leadership of the Army; in particular the controversial General George McClellan; had a limited view of the aims of the conflict. McClellan did an outstanding job of drilling and training the Army and of instilling a spirit of cameraderie in the troops. But McClellan fought the war simply as a means of bringing the South back into the Union. This outlook; perhaps; was as responsible for his timid; cautious approach as a commander as was his view of military strategy.Wert shows how McClellan's approach to the conflict; military and political; influenced the views of his successors as commanding generals: Pope (commander of the Army of Virginia) Burnside; Hooker; and Meade. Leadership of the Army had a cautious; defensive spirit and was subject of political interference. President Lincoln took an active role with the Army and his specific decisions and criticisms were sometimes merited; but sometimes not.Wert gives a quick-paced account of the major battles of the Army; including First Bull Run; the Seven Days; Second Bull Run; Antietam; Fredricksburg; Chancellorsville; Gettysburg; Mine Run; the Overland Campaign; Petersburg; and Appomatox. In spite of the defeats or unsatisfactory results of most of these battles; Wert shows how the soldiers in the Army maintained their spirit; resiliency and sense of purpose. Although they faced many dark days; the troops sensed that their mission was greater than their leaders. They held on and continued against a spirited and well-lead opponent and ultimately were successful. One major turning point occured following the Battle of the Wilderness when; after a dreadful two-day battle on the field on which Chancellorsville had been fought; U.S. Grant (commander of the entire Union forces who became the de facto commander of the Army of the Potomac) turned the Army towards the South to pursue Lee's Army rather than retreat northward as had been the practice of his predecessors.Wert offers clear and short accounts of the major battles of the Army of the Potomac without becoming bogged down in the detail of more lengthy histories. His purpose is less to explain military history than to show the spirit of the troops and the actions of their leaders. Wert drives home well the hardships of the campaigns -- the sickness and unsanitary conditions of the camps; the terrors of battle; the long night marches -- and the determination of the troops to surmount them. His account of the overland campaign in the summer of 1864; Wilderness; Spottsylvania; North Anna; and Cold Harbor; is especially compelling.Thus; even though he tells a story that has been told before; Wert's story will inspire the reader with its focus on the perseverance shown by the ordinary soldier and the face of extreme and protracted difficulty. This book will make a good introduction to the Civil War for those readers new to the subject and also has much to teach those readers with a longstanding interest in this great conflict.Robin Friedman1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. good memory.By Tabthis price is valuable. a present ; I got it in the mail and it came in a nice case which I enjoyed. I love the feel and how heavy it is. When I got it; I immediately washed it and tested it out and it cut through some peppers like butter. I really liked it. very fast; receive it next day; awesome and very well.
