20 b/w photos 6 x 9 * Covers a previously ignored aspect of military leadership * Profiles the command styles of Generals Lee; Sherman; McClellan; and Grant Civil War generals had both special and personal staffs to help them with their duties. The use of special staff-quartermasters; commissaries; ordnance chiefs; and engineers-has been well chronicled. But little attention has been paid to how generals utilized (or underutilized) their personal staff-the chiefs of staff; adjutants general; and aides-de- camp. Drawing on Generals Lee; Sherman; McClellan; and Grant as examples; this groundbreaking study provides a new perspective not only on the Civil War; but also on the tradition of military leadership. R. Steven Jones is an assistant professor of history at Southwestern Adventist University and has been published in magazines such as Civil War History. This is his first book.
#406005 in Books Stackpole Books 2007-05-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.94 x 1.32 x 6.42l; 1.64 #File Name: 0811702065432 pages
Review
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Great detail; not very readableBy Darrell A. MartinThe author's approach is primarily to string together contemporary quotations. His own contributions are mostly the selection of the material; and providing a narrative framework.This approach results in very hard reading. One of the reasons is the constant switching among the styles of the original authors; every one of whom seems to have a unique theory of spelling; grammar; and punctuation (as was common to the era). The modern framework and the quoted material are run together; which was probably the only workable choice; but in the end you have an aesthetic muddle. The result is not confusion; but tedium.On the other hand; the obvious breadth of the available materials that are included almost make this book a primary source compendium. I have found it very useful as a reference work; especially when I am focusing on a relatively small period of time; or a single event (such as one small part of a battle).In summary; I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with a specific and significant interest in the subject it covers. If that describes you; you will not regret buying this book. But its primary use as casual reading might be to help defeat insomnia.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. well writtenBy Lee BaerVery well written and accurate. Reads well and the story flows well; be sure to buy both volumes or you'll be left hanging :-)0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Gret book with amazing detail and informationBy James L. JohnsonGreat read for those interested in the full story of the action in the Philadelphia area. Thank you Thomas McGuire.
