When Union and Confederate forces squared off along Bull Run on July 21; 1861; the Federals expected this first major military campaign would bring an early end to the Civil War. But when Confederate troops launched a strong counterattack; both sides realized the war would be longer and costlier than anticipated. First Bull Run; or First Manassas; set the stage for four years of bloody conflict that forever changed the political; social; and economic fabric of the nation. It also introduced the commanders; tactics; and weaponry that would define the American way of war through the turn of the twentieth century.This crucial campaign receives its most complete and comprehensive treatment in Edward G. Longacre’s The Early Morning of War. A magisterial work by a veteran historian; The Early Morning of War blends narrative and analysis to convey the full scope of the campaign of First Bull Run—its drama and suspense as well as its practical and tactical underpinnings and ramifications. Also woven throughout are biographical sketches detailing the backgrounds and personalities of the leading commanders and other actors in the unfolding conflict.Longacre has combed previously unpublished primary sources; including correspondence; diaries; and memoirs of more than four hundred participants and observers; from ranking commanders to common soldiers and civilians affected by the fighting. In weighing all the evidence; Longacre finds correctives to long-held theories about campaign strategy and battle tactics and questions sacrosanct beliefs—such as whether the Manassas Gap Railroad was essential to the Confederate victory. Longacre shears away the myths and persuasively examines the long-term repercussions of the Union’s defeat at Bull Run; while analyzing whether the Confederates really had a chance of ending the war in July 1861 by seizing Washington; D.C.Brilliant moves; avoidable blunders; accidents; historical forces; personal foibles: all are within Longacre’s compass in this deftly written work that is sure to become the standard history of the first; critical campaign of the Civil War.
#259356 in Books Alden T Vaughan 1995-04-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.00 x 1.10 x 5.00l; 1.02 #File Name: 080612718X492 pagesNew England Frontier Puritans and Indians 1620 1675
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. New England's Uneasy PeaceBy Carl RobinsonThis book describes the uneasy peace between the Indians and whites in New England in the years between the arrival of the Mayflower and King Philip's War.Far from being the rapacious Indian-killers; land stealers; and small-pox bringers; that later historians have alleged; the Puritans actively sought to create a just; multicultural society. This book brings out the details of that attempt-often using first hand sources.In particular; the Puritans attempted intense religious missionary work including translating the Bible into local languages; setting up scholarships for talented Indians to attend Harvard; special laws for Indians; and emplacing Indians on juries when an Indian was on trial. Indeed; Puritan social policy was far more like multicultural policies of modern times.It all fell apart of course; and the current multicultural expirement will also likely fall apart. This book is a fascinating study of early colonial history; especially its experimental Indian Policy.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. most fair look at early New EnglandBy guardian to the gate of foreverNew England Frontier tells the story of the Puritan and Indian relations in the first years of 1620-1675. Contrary to modern anti-Puritan view points; this books explains the relationship between the English and the Indians before King Philips war by looking at the primary sources. This book shows that the New England frontier wasn't as simple as modern textbooks claim it was.Most textbooks say that the Puritans were hungry for land and ready to take it from the Indians who they deemed as ungodly; however; there were many different factions (Native American tribes; different English colonies and European colonies) which all played important roles in the early history of New England.Vaughan shows several events where the Puritans kept peace and how a vast majority of the Indians backed the colonists in the war against the Pequots. He is not an apologist though and recognizes when the Puritan's massacre of the innocent Indian's in Mystic; along with the change in attitudes among the Puritans in the 1670s which led to king Philips war.I would like to give it 4 and a half stars because there is in some parts a lack of Indian voices; the introduction in the later editions helps show where he went too far in the earlier editions.History is not one sided; and this book makes a good argument using contemporary sources to show that the Puritans treated English and Indians the same (or at least made an attempt to) before 1675. Historians need to examine the post-1675 stereotypes and not link all anti-Native European sentiments into one; because the Puritans saw the Indians in a much better light than most (if not all) Europeans.I would very much like to see a King Philips war book written in this same manor and an assessment of post-1675 Indian policies.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Politically incorect; factually correct.By J.R. TowersThis is a fantastic book. It covers the people; particular situations and adventures; if you will; that the puritans of New England went through. You will get an insight of the diplomacy they practice; and the dealing with the natives. It destroys the prejudiced view that most historians have on the puritans. They where not religious; superstitious zealots; but people that depended on discipline; and tight nit group dynamics. It is evident that they were well educated; both in diplomacy; commerce and war tactics and strategy. Their dominance over the continent was a consequence of the dynamics; and diplomacy with the Indians. Great read; fast paced and informative.
