Previous accounts of the Civil War's last major campaign have often neglected the actual maneuvers and tactics of the units involved. This new addition to the Great Campaigns series features a tactical approach to the final drama of the Civil War. Innovative maps; sidebars and charts complement a dramatic narrative. The fall of Petersburg and Richmond; the last battles at Five Forks; Sailor's Creek; and Dinwiddie Court House; and the final surrender at Appomattox are all described by an author whose knowledge of the historical sources is equaled by his familiarity with the area over which the armies marched and fought.The author provides a day-to-day narrative of this fascinating campaign; with a series of specially commissioned maps that make clear the complex series of maneuvers that finally brought Lee's beleaguered army to bay. Special sidebars highlight many incidents and personalities of the campaign; including never-before-published information on African-Americans in Confederate service. Record-keeping; especially for the Confederates; was difficult in the last hectic days of the war; and readers will find here the most complete order of battle available for both sides.
#1424581 in Books Christendom Press 2007-11-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x .97 x 6.40l; 1.29 #File Name: 0931888867332 pages
Review
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful. An Artist's AdvocateBy MirabilisForgotten by some and unknown to others; Christopher Dawson's extraordinary mind comes to life in Birzer's thorough and insightful book. Dawson was a writer and thinker for writers and thinkers and (somewhat unexpectedly) also for artists. In an age of propaganda; Dawson proclaimed the truths that the ideologues chose to ignore; suppress and in many cases destroy.Keenly aware of the horrors of totalitarian government; yet also aware of the dangers of "totalitarian" free-markets; Dawson recognized the reality that humanity thrives not as a manipulatable mass or a disinterested collection of free agents; but as a culture. In Europe this culture had Christian roots that grew out of the ashes of the Roman empire. That culture developed over the course of centuries. Dawson realized that though it took many generations to mature; culture could only be sustained by a people willing to live up to it's ideals and truths. And it could be destroyed in an instant by those seeking only the "new" and who somehow considered its past as of little consequence.Dawson took up the challenge of trying to sustain and nurture Christian culture at one of its darkest hours. Like Chesterton; Dawson's insight and understanding is pertinent now more than ever. His influence can clearly be seen in the works of Eliot but more recently in the works of Pope John Paul II. For artists in particular; Dawson reminds that the power of poetry; paint and music does not aimlessly spew from the fountain of individual whim; but blossoms from the rich soil of works; and indeed the very lives; of those whose world we inherit.Bradley Birzer has done a great service by resurrecting the story and the ideas of Christopher Dawson. Highly recommended to historians; theologians; philosophers and artists alike.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This book tells the fascinating story of a great Catholic intellectualBy Joseph A. FranceskiThis book tells the fascinating story of a great Catholic intellectual. The writing is a bit turgid; but the subject makes up for an academic writing style. The book could also do with some photographs of Dawson and his contemporaries. Nevertheless; this book has succeeded in convincing me of the importance of reading more of Dawson's works.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well documented; inspiring; trends to be Roman Catholic ...By R. HolvastWell documented; inspiring; trends to be Roman Catholic in iets view; and is using Dawson to support modern North American conservatism. But a job well done!
