Ulysses S. Grant is often accused of being a cold–hearted butcher of his troops. In Ulysses S. Grant: A Victor; Not a Butcher; historian Edward H. Bonekemper III proves that Grant’s casualty rates actually compared favorably with those of other Civil War generals. His perseverance; decisiveness; moral courage; and political acumen place him among the greatest generals of the Civil War—indeed; of all military history. Bonekemper proves that it was no historical accident that Grant accepted the surrender of three entire Confederate armies and won the Civil War. Bonekemper ably silences Grant’s critics and restores Grant to the heroic reputation he so richly deserves.
#4647480 in Books 2010-02-22 2010-02-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .40 x 5.25l; .45 #File Name: 1595553444192 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good; But Leaves Me WantingBy Kevin RK DavisI probably would've given this a 3.5 if I could.The biggest let down is probably that the author in no way ever interviewed President Obama.His last chapter; "A Time to Heal;" feels anti-climactic. It feels separated from the rest of the book; as it moves completely off the faith of Barack Obama and affirms and approves of what perhaps was most discontenting in the entire book. I would've liked the book better if it had ended on what feels to me; a Conservative Christian; a more positive note in Chapter 5; "A New Band of Brothers."It is chapter 5 that perhaps gives us the most intimate look into the daily life of Barack Obama's faith now. The rest of the book really feels like speculation; assumption; and educated guesses. Without talking with Barack Obama himself; we really don't know what is in the head of our leader when it comes to spirituality and his faith.In the revision and update; I would've like an answer or at least speculation from the faith-counselors of Obama that Mansfield (the author) did interview; as to exactly how Obama feels okay to profess as a believing Christian; but at the same time politically champion unbiblical stances. The final chapter left me feeling ambiguous; and in fact any hope that I had received from chapter 5 was diminished.Mansfield concluding remarks seem to be off base. He argues that Obama has introduced a new breed of "Religious Left;" and remarks; "There have been other Democrats who were religiously fluent of course. Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter come to mind. Yet both men seemed to truncate their faith; seemed to erect a wall of separation between faith and practice. Obama's religion infuses his public policy..." as I would argue in light of Obama's championing unbiblical stances; that Clinton and Carter seemed to let their religion influence their policy more than Obama ever has. I understand that Obama's understanding of social injustices have came out of his religion; but surely much of his professed faith remains to influence his public policy.The book overall was interesting; and surely I know more than I did know... But like many reviews state; it leaves me wanting; and leaves me with more questions. Perhaps this is a good book to start; but now I can only wait for more thorough books to see where I continue.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A very careful studyBy C. J. GrahamJames Monroe cautioned that no one can ever really know another person's relgious beliefs because they are so personal and change through time. However; I feel that Stephen Mansfield has done the most careful study yet of the religious beliefs of both Obama and Lincoln ("Lincoln's Battle With God"). In the Obama book Mansfield also discusses the evolving religious mood of the country as well as the religious beliefs of Obama's 2008 reivals.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Surprisingly Good! Definitely worth reading.By Merry MaryI was pleasantly surprised by The Faith of Barack Obama. I was expecting either a glowing report of his love for God and how it was evident in his politics or a point by point comparison of Obama's faith and that of conventional evangelical Christianity. Neither was the case. Instead; Stephen Mansfield first presented Obama's background including the faith and lack of faith exhibited by his parents and those who influenced him in his youth.Then; the author did a very good job of explaining liberation theology in laymen's terms; which isn't an easy task. He went right to James Cone's book Black Theology and Black Power; which is the foundational work on the subject. He quotes from Cone; "This means that I read the Bible through the lens of a black tradition of struggle and not as the objective Word of God. The Bible therefore is one witness to God's empowering presence in human affairs; along with other important testimonies." (p. 42)The author then traces Cone's influence on Jeremiah Wright and on to Wright's influence on Obama including why Obama found Wright's preaching attractive and eventually the message he could incorporate into his worldview.Clearly; the high point of the book was the chapter on the four faces of faith in America. Mansfield chose McCain as the representative of the faith exhibited by those who lived through World War II; a strong silent sort of faith. Hillary Clinton was his representative for the social gospel faith. George W. Bush was the one he selected as representative of evangelical faith and Obama as the person who represents the post-modern; liberal; social justice type of faith. What impressed me was the way the author portrayed each of these faiths in a positive manner.By the completion of the book; I felt that I had a reasonably good understanding of the type of faith Obama has and what part it plays in the decisions he makes; which was exactly what I hoped for when I began the book.
