PDF Hood's Texas Brigade in the Civil War by Edward B. Williams in History

Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Good Extension of Simpson's WorkBy Philip T McBrideFor thirty years Harold Simpson's book printed in 1971 about the Texas Brigade has been my go-to for the facts. Williams has well used the information that has surfaced over the forty years since to retell the brigade's story with new anecdotes and a narrative that; paints an even clearer picture of the brigade's involvement in each of the great battles and the days leading up to those battles.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. History of Hood's Brigade that has already been published beforeBy Joe OwenEdward B. Williams "Hood's Texas Brigade in the Civil War" is an excellent book that is on parallel with the late Colonel Harold B. Simpson's definitive history of Hood's Texas Brigade's book "Hood's Texas Brigade: Lee's Grenadier Guard". It is a difficult review for me to be subjective though because it is roughly the same information (95% in my opinion) that Colonel Simpson covered in his history of the brigade. The same events are reviewed in the history of the brigade by Mr. Williams that Colonel Simpson wrote in 1970; with just a few more instances of personal recollections by the soldiers of Hood's Brigade. The same resources that Mr. Williams used in research were the resources that Colonel Simpson researched; noted and archived at the Confederate Research Center now known as the Texas Heritage Research Center at Hills Community College in Hillsboro; Texas.Mr. Williams has stated in his introduction that he spent many weeks in the Confederate Research Center Archives researching this "updated" history of Hood's Texas Brigade; though there is nothing "earth shattering" that Colonel Simpson didn't have in his series. Mr. Williams also stated that he used Colonel Simpson's published works (Hood's Brigade: A Compendium) for his background history of the soldiers of Hood's Brigade.Don't get me wrong; this is a good book about Hood's Brigade; but it is almost the same book that Colonel Simpson wrote and published in 1970. I know that Mr. Williams was very cautious about NOT plagiarizing Colonel Simpson's book; however; when you use much of the same resources that Colonel Simpson set up; researched; and relied on; it doesn't produce a different history or perspective of the brigade. Mr. Williams resources and notations are excellent; his narrative is excellent; and his overall history of the brigade is excellent....for those who haven't read Colonel Simpson's series on Hood's Brigade.Would I recommend this to Civil War student's scholars; historians; and enthusiasts? Yes...but with a caveat; don't expect a noticeable difference between this history of Hood's Brigade and Colonel Simpson's history of the brigade. Much of the history of the brigade as told by the soldiers in the brigade during and after the war are in most instances the same soldiers history that was used by Colonel Simpson in his series.Would Colonel Simpson accuse Mr. Williams of plagiarism? That is hard to say; I wish I could say an automatic NO; but when you publish history of a brigade that covers almost the same history and resources that has been written by another historian; albeit; almost 40 years before; it is hard to defend a new historical perspective of a brigade.I do applaud Mr. William's effort in trying to bring the history of Hood's Brigade to a newer audience of historians; scholars; students and enthusiasts. However; if you are looking into a newer and more accurate perspective of the famous Hood's Texas Brigade; then you might be disappointed because it has already been done by the definitive historian of the brigade; the late Colonel Harold B. Simpson (USAF).0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good for beginners of the Texas Brigade's historyBy Jonathan WellerEdward B. Williams book Hood's Texas Brigade in the Civil War is a rather comprehensive book that borrows much from the work of the late Colonel Harold B. Simpson's definitive history entitled Hood's Texas Brigade: Lee's Grenadier Guard. While the book was thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable; the information is really just a rehash of Simpson’s work and brings very little else to the table. This; along with its absurd pricing makes it difficult for me to recommend to most Civil War readers.William’s book covers the Texas Brigade from its inception to the end of their war at Appomattox Court House; in 1865. The details are thorough and precise; the story does its job keeping the reader interested; and the writing is engaging enough for my tastes; however; there really was nothing here that made me say to myself that this book is a must-have or must-read. This is no indictment on Williams; his work is sound. The book just does not have that “it” factor that reaches out and grabs the reader like John F. Schmutz’s new work on the “Bloody Fifth” Texas Regiment.Several of the most interesting bits of information was the Texas Brigades movements West to Georgia and Tennessee after the Gettysburg Campaign of 1863. I knew the least about these engagements—as I admittedly know little about the western armies in general—but Williams did well to provide me with a basis for understanding the brigade’s contributions to those campaigns. Other than that; however; I just could never really sink my teeth in to the book for any length of time. Again; not any fault of Williams. I just felt like I was reading more of a brief overview of the war; rather than a comprehensive study of Lee’s Grenadier Guards.Overall; the book is good for what it is: a good introduction for new fans of the Texas Brigade. If you have reader multiple accounts of the brigade’s exploits prior to this book; then you will probably be left wanting. But it is definitely worth a look for newcomers to the brigade’s history.