|
|
|
|
|
|
Decision in the Heartland: The Civil War in the West (Reflections on the Civil War Era)
written by Steven E. Woodworth
Studio : Praeger Publishers
by Praeger Publishers
Publisher : Praeger Publishers
Released : 2008-01-30
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780275987596
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 1 review)
List Price : $39.95
Our Price : $24.90
|
|
| |
|
Book Description |
|
The verdict is in: the Civil War was won in the "West"--that is, in the nation's heartland, between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. Yet, a person who follows the literature on the war might still think that it was the conflict in Virginia that ultimately decided the outcome. Each year sees the appearance of new books aimed at the popular market that simply assume that it was in the East, often at Gettysburg, that the decisive clashes of war the took place. For decades, serious historians of the Civil War have completed one careful study after another, nearly all tending to indicate the pivotal importance of what people during the war referred to as "the West." In this fast paced overview, Woodworth presents his case for the decisiveness of the theater. Overwhelming evidence now indicates that it was battles like Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chattanooga, and Atlanta that sealed the fate of the Confederacy-not the nearly legendary clashes at Bull Run or Chancellorsville or the mythical "high-water mark" at Gettysburg. The western campaigns cost the Confederacy vast territories, the manufacturing center of Nashville, the financial center of New Orleans, communications hubs such as Corinth, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, along with the agricultural produce of the breadbasket of the Confederacy. They sapped the morale of Confederates and buoyed the spirits of Unionists, ultimately sealing the northern electorate's decision to return Lincoln to the presidency for a second term and thus to see the war through to final victory. Detailing the "Western" clashes that proved so significant, Woodworth contends that it was there alone that the Civil War could be--and was--decided. |
| |
|
| |
|
A book that your library needs |
The field of Civil War history has few authors with the skill and knowledge of Steven E. Woodworth. His books are always well written, very readable, conveying an enormous amount of information in clear concise sentences. Having written extensively on the western theater, he is in an excellent choice to write an overview history. I am very happy to so that Professor Woodworth's book exceeds all of my expectations. This small book works on several levels. For a person new to the theater this is an introduction that builds a very firm foundation on which they can continue their studies. For the more experienced reader, this book will "pull it all together" placing each campaign in a complex ongoing war. For the experienced reader, this book is a very enjoyable review.
In a small book, Woodworth packs a lot of information. All the major campaigns are covered with their contribution to the Union's victory. However, the sideshow campaigns get included showing their contribution or distractions to/from the main efforts. This means that Sturgis defeat at Brice's Crossroads is an embarrassment but keeps Forrest away from Sherman's supply lines. Politics are not ignored, from Halleck intriguing against Grant, Polk and Hardee against Bragg, Johnston against Davis and Hood against Johnston, the problems are well covered with the impact on the armies.
This is one of the best small books I have found on the western theater, an enjoyable read and a valuable learning experience. The organization is logical and the grouping of events moves the story along. The treatment of both sides is uniformly fair with a concentration of military events. Very little is said about the deadlock in Virginia, except as to how it influences decisions in the area.
|
| |
|
|
|
