Grant and Lee: Victorious American and Vanquished Virginian is a comprehensive; multi-theater; war-long comparison of the command skills of Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Written by Edward H. Bonekemper III; Grant and Lee clarifies the impact both generals had on the outcome of the Civil War—namely; the assistance that Lee provided to Grant by Lee's excessive casualties in Virginia; the consequent drain of Confederate resources from Grant's battlefronts; and Lee's refusal and delay of reinforcements to the combat areas where Grant was operating. The reader will be left astounded by the level of aggression both generals employed to secure victory for their respective causes; as Bonekemper demonstrates that Grant was a national general whose tactics were consistent with acheiving Union victory; whereas Lee's own priorities constantly undermined the Confederacy's chances of winning the war. Building on detailed accounts of both generals' major campaigns and battles; this book provides a detailed comparison of the primary military and personal traits of the two men. That analysis supports the preface discussion and the chapter-by-chapter conclusions that Grant did what the North needed to do to win the war: be aggressive; eliminate enemy armies; and do so with minimal casualties (154;000); while Lee was too offensive for the undermanned Confederacy; suffered intolerable casualties (209;000); and allowed his obsession with the Commonwealth of Virginia to obscure the broader interests of the Confederacy. In addition; readers will find interest in the 18 highly detailed and revealing battle maps; as well as in a comprehensive set of appendices that describes the casualties incurred by each army; battle by battle.
#1248963 in Books Savas Beatie 2012-12-19 2013-01-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .78 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 161121128X290 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very good book about the Battle of the AtlanticBy Brian BattuelloExcellent insider view of the Atlantic U-Boat campaign. The author writes in a clear; non-judgemental style that makes you feel like you are in the boat with him. Required reading if you have ever visited the real boat in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. I only wish he had included more technical information about his duties on the ship. Also an excellent companion read to anyone that enjoyed Das Boot; the book or movie.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. WorthwhileBy Bev ThompsonIt's a good book; but not a fave. Some of the chapters are far better than others; depending on who the author was and his writing ability. I had to skip over some parts that seemed superfluous; perhaps a bit boring even. Definitely worthwhile; however; because I love the input from the actual U-boat commanders; such as Erich Topp (who was not boring AT ALL).2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very well written.By ThebreakerThis was a terrific and informative book; packed with facts about this particular U-Boat and the (no doubt) gallant crew. Their privations and stressful underwater existence are hard for one to comprehend; but they happened and many; many brave crew perished; also their victims; but it was war and each was dedicated to their allotted task.The planning and execution of the recovery was also spectacular; so I commend this book to any one with an interest in U-Boats in general.
