The importance of Robert E. Lee’s first movement north of the Potomac River in September 1862 is difficult to overstate. After his string of successes in Virginia; a decisive Confederate victory in Maryland or Pennsylvania may well have spun the war in an entirely different direction. Why he and his Virginia army did not find success across the Potomac was due in large measure to the generalship of George B. McClellan; as Steven Stotelmyer ably demonstrates in Too Useful to Sacrifice: Reconsidering George B. McClellan’s Generalship in the Maryland Campaign from South Mountain to Antietam.Although typecast as the slow and overly cautious general who allowed Lee’s battered army to escape; in fact; argues Stotelmyer; General McClellan deserves significant credit for defeating and turning back the South’s most able general. He does so through five comprehensive chapters; each dedicated to a specific major issue of the campaign:Fallacies Regarding the Lost OrdersAll the Injury Possible: The Day between South Mountain and AntietamAntietam: The Sequel to South MountainGeneral John Pope at Antietam and the Politics behind the Myth of the Unused ReservesSupplies and Demands: The Demise of General George B. McClellanWas McClellan’s response to the discovery of Lee’s Lost Orders really as slow and inept as we have been led to believe? Although routinely dismissed as a small prelude to the main event at Antietam; was the fighting on South Mountain the real Confederate high tide in Maryland? Is the criticism leveled against McClellan for not rapidly pursuing Lee’s army after the victory on South Mountain warranted? Did McClellan fail to make good use of his reserves in the bloody fighting on September 17? Finally; what is the real story behind McClellan’s apparent “failure†to pursue the defeated Confederate army after Antietam; which triggered President Lincoln’s frustration with him and resulted in his removal?Utilizing extensive primary documents and with a keen appreciation for the infrastructure of the nineteenth century Maryland terrain; Stotelmyer deeply explores these long-held beliefs; revealing that often the influence of political considerations dictated military decision-making; and the deliberate actions of the Lincoln Administration behind McClellan’s back resulted in bringing about many of the general’s supposed shortcomings. As readers will soon discover; Lincoln did not need to continue searching for a capable commander; he already had one.
#559978 in Books 2016-03-08 2016-03-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.13 x 5.75l; 1.37 #File Name: 1610396340400 pages
Review
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful. TerrificBy Sarah RThis was a great read. I've read a number of books about the time period and the Princes and yet this book contained new information for me. I especially enjoyed the way the author presented the information about all four brothers concurrently; along with information on what was occurring politically in Great Britain; Europe and the US as well as the progress of the war.The book is well researched and well written. When the author presents a thesis (regarding the Duke of Kent's death; for example) she presents her reasoning logically and clearly. I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in the time period or the subjects.68 of 68 people found the following review helpful. Well-researched; well-written account of the four royal brothers at a critical period in historyBy Anthony GoldingThis is a well-researched; well-written book on the four royal brothers from the time of the abdication crisis until the death of George VI in 1952. The focus is on the Duke of Windsor and the King but it also devotes considerable attention to the two younger brothers whose stories are less well known. The perennial questions surrounding the actions and motives of the Duke and; even more so; the Duchess of Windsor are given as full an airing as possible using all available sources but remain essentially unresolved. The author successfully brings the momentous events of the period alive as we experience the highs and lows through the eyes of the central participants. All in all; this is an informative and fascinating read for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the critical events of the late 1930s and the Second World War.51 of 51 people found the following review helpful. A well told storyBy Texas girlWe have all heard the story of the king who abdicated his throne for the " woman he loved"; but the story of his brother; shy and supposedly ill suited to be king; is a splendid one told in a very personal way in this book. The struggle to become the king that his country needed during WWII; to overcome his own doubts arising from lack of preparation and to lead his country to victory are a rousing tale which finally gives voice to a great king. As George rises; David declines; revealing a pathetic ; grasping little man who selfishly tortured his brother with insensitive demands; even on D Day. As they say; character is fate; and each brother's character is now written for posterity. And of course; it is forever obvious that lend lease was not the best gift America gave to Britain. Our best gift was Wallis Simpson; who ensured that Britain was spared a stupid; shallow misguided man as king ;who would have betrayed his country for personal gain. Long live King George!
