Michael Ballard provides a concise yet thorough study of the 1863 battle that cut off a crucial river port and rail depot for the South and split the Confederate nation; providing a turning point in the Civil War. The Union victory at Vicksburg was hailed with as much celebration in the North as the Gettysburg victory and Ballard makes a convincing case that it was equally important to the ultimate resolution of the conflict.
#540820 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2006-02-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.00 x 6.24l; 1.37 #File Name: 0807857017432 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. and I recommend it to everyone with an interest in the conclusion ...By LostMarbleThis is a masterful account of the last days of the Civil War in North Carolina; analyzing the battles; conflicts; and negotiations between Confederate General Joseph Johnston and Union Major General William Sherman and their armies. The content is thorough; wide-ranging; and detailed. The style is engaging and fluent. The author is a professed admirer of General Johnston and The Army of Tennessee; and gives them a glowing accolade. He is less favorable to Major General Sherman; whom he frequently criticizes; but his overall account is scrupulously fair. For a serious academic study; this one is remarkably entertaining; and I recommend it to everyone with an interest in the conclusion of the Civil War.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Helps put Appomatox into proper perspectiveBy BlackvilleAs a companion to Bradley's earlier work on the Bentonville battle; 'Last Stand in the Carolinas'; 'This Astounding Close' creates an extremely satisfying conclusion. But; as a stand alone work; 'This Astounding Close' is a tremendous asset in its own right.Most of us grew up believing that the Civil War ended the moment Robert E. Lee surrendered to U.S. Grant at Appomatox Court House in Virginia. One can only assume that his came about as a part of the deification of Lee and the promotion of the 'Lost Cause' doctrine that was so popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Historically; most things regarding the Confederacy have always begun and ended with Lee. Thanks to the scholarship and hard work of Mark Bradley; we now have a much more accurate picture of how the war ended and the major roles played by Joseph Johnston and W. T. Sherman well after Lee's surrender.If you want a comprehensive blow-by-blow description of the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville; read 'Last Stand in the Carolinas'. For a valuable capsule summary of the battles; combined with a complete historical account of the negotiations leading up to the surrender; 'This Astounding Close' fills the bill wonderfully!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. MUST HAVE CIVIL WAR STORYBy BillIf you have any interest in the final days of the Civil War; this is a MUST for your library. Bradley traces the many events forgotten in the story of the end; i.e. Appomattox; and fills in the real story of how the real end occurred. Easy read; but filled with fascinating facts and stories about the efforts by the Confederate generals to convince the president that it was; indeed; over.
