Nathan Bedford Forrest. The Tennessean was one of the most intriguing and controversial characters to emerge during the Civil War. Books and articles on the man span the gamut from hero worship because of his remarkable battlefield victories; to condemnation for his involvement with the slaughter at Fort Pillow and later; his association with the Ku Klux Klan. Retired Special Forces brigadier general John R. Scales plows entirely new ground with The Battles and Campaigns of General Nathan Bedford Forrest; 1861–1865; a careful and unique examination of Forrest’s wartime activities and how his actions affected the war in the Western Theater.Each chapter covers specific raids or campaigns; all arranged chronologically. After describing the environment within which Forrest operated; which helps readers understand the larger situation within which his movements were made and his battles were fought; Gen. Scales narrates the decisions Forrest and his opponents made and the actions they took. Firsthand sources; including heavy use of documents and reports from the Official Records; coupled with 109 original maps; make it easy to understand the often complex background; movements; and engagements involving Forrest and his command.Scales’ study is also a meticulous guide to Forrest’s campaigns. For example; each action is augmented with detailed driving directions to allow readers to examine his battlefields and the routes his cavalry took during its famous raids. For the first time; students of Forrest’s campaigns can follow in his footsteps; experiencing the terrain much the same way he did. A detailed review and assessment of each raid or campaign follows the description of the actions and the associated driving instructions. Throughout; General Scales relies upon his own extensive military background to help evaluate and explain how and why Forrest grew in command ability and potential as a result of his experiences—or didn’t.The late award-winning author Albert Castel asked two major questions about Nathan Bedford Forrest: “Exactly what impact did Forrest’s dazzling raids and victories have upon the overall course of the war?†and “Had Forrest been given a higher command and/or greater opportunities; what would have been the potential outcome as regards the fate of the Confederacy?†The Battles and Campaigns of General Nathan Bedford Forrest makes it much easier to answer both.
#339449 in Books Perseus Books Group 2016-03-29 2016-03-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 1.35 x 6.50l; .0 #File Name: 1610394844416 pagesPerseus Books Group
Review
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating Story About World War I Secrets and Creating a NationBy R. LouisThis is a fascinating story about events during World War I that led to the foundation of the nation of Czechoslovakia. Using primary sources and a wide range of other scholarship; the author has told the story of a legion of Czech and Slovak soldiers who were caught in the crumbling Russian empire and had to fight their way to safety; which was rescue by Allied ships in Vladivostok. Along the way; they fought off continual attacks by Bolshevik armies. Apparently; there was an effort to hide this story on the part of the Russians and others; but here it is; told in a thorough and engrossing fashion by the author. This is a must-read for European history buffs.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An extraordinary historical accomplishmentBy BookHawkThis is a dramatic narrative capturing the quite improbable chain of political and military events that led to tHe establishment of the nation of Czechoslovakia in the wake of WWI. It's more detailed than necessary and I found myself skimming from time to time. But the scope and scale of the narrative is addictive even to the general serious reader. It captures the collapse of the Hapsburg dynasty illustrating how Czech leaders (Thomas Maserick especially) declared war on Austria Hungary from Prague thencreated a national political movement to build the nation. The key instrument was the conversion of Czech POW units into an armed force that toward the end of the War controlled all RR transport East the Urals (effectively giving them control over Russian Siberia) and Murmansk on the Arctic approaches to far north Russia. Suffice to say Bolshevik arguments; betrayals ; and political imperatives ultimately prevailedThis was leverage that led to establishment of a new Czecoslovak nation. The book captures the drama of creating a new government in the midst of huge stresses from the Versailles Treaty obligationNs imposed on Germant14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. should be much better known. WellBy ernest i. korchakfascinating piece of history; should be much better known. Well written
