ebooks Vicksburg; 1863 (Vintage Civil War Library) by Winston Groom in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Mr. Groom does not disappoint...By Sheryl W.In a bookstore at O'Hare Airport around Thanksgiving 2011; I picked up a book called "Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly. This book; for whatever reason; caused me to become obsessed with the Civil War. Since November 2011 until this day; I can't get my hands on enough Civil War books and can't devour enough information; especially the people and battles of the western theatre. John Bell Hood was my next obsession (trying to figure out what the man was thinking and if he was a glory-seeking villain or a desperate; last-ditch countryman).During this John Bell Hood obsession; I read "Shrouds of Glory" by Mr. Groom. The Battle of Franklin; TN and Mr. Groom quickly became my favorites--favorite Civil War battle and favorite Civil War author. Since "Shrouds of Glory;" I have read "Shiloh" and "Vicksburg" and Mr. Groom does not disappoint. I love the photographs of the main players (and even some not so main); the battle maps; and the actual quotes from diaries/letters of beleaguered civilians woven into the historical facts. Truly amazing. Also noteworthy; Mr. Groom makes the battle formations and field positions understandable.What I have learned from Mr. Groom and my Civil War obsession is that the men who fought in this War; on either side; were oh so brave.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great read.By MunseyfloraI read this before visiting Vicksburg (people should do that before visiting any battle field) and it made the Memorial Park come alive for me. The book puts the siege of Vicksburg into context of the entire war; why it was important to both sides; the multiple failed efforts of Grant; the tactical military failures on both sides; the frustrations of Pemberton (Confederate general); the importance of the naval to the land battles; and the travails of the residents of the town. It places actual combat into the greater framework of the politics among the generals far from the field and the governments that drive it all. It's an engrossing read that makes you want to turn the pages with enough maps to explain the action. Too bad all history isn't recorded like this. Groom makes it clear how in a war; no one wins. You feel badly for both the Union and Confederate soldiers; and especially the civilians of Vicksburg. I though it a much better book than Shelby Foote's of the same battle0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not as interesting as the author's Shiloh 1862By TMDThe battle for Vicksburg was the turning point of the Civil War in the west. It gave the North control of the entire Mississippi River; stopping supply to the Confederate states from the west. It was a long; hard slog ending in the Union Army's seige of the City of Vicksburg. I did not enjoy this book to the degree that I enjoyed the authors Shiloh 1862. At times it seemed that the author was apologizing for the South's loosing the battles. with a number of if onlys. I'm sure that readers of Civil War history will find this book interesting. Personally; I was more interested in the work of the Union Navy and the coordination between the Army and the Navy on the western rivers.