audiobook The Stonewall Brigade in the Civil War (Spearhead) by Patrick Hook; Steve Smith in History

Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Great Place To Start...By James D. MillerThe First Virginia Brigade; composed of the 2nd; 4th; 5th; 27th and 33rd Virginia Infantry Regiments; and the Rockbridge Artillery Battery. The brigade and its commander; Thomas J. Jackson; would earn their more famous nicknames during the first large scale battle of the Civil War at the First Battle of Bull Run; when in the face of an overwhelming federal attack General Bernard Bee reportedly said; "Look yonder - there stands Jackson like a stone wall; lets go to his assistance. Rally behind the Virginians!" Historians have bickered for nearly a century and a half over the meaning of Bee's words; but; from that day forward the First Virginia Brigade would forever be known as "The Stonewell Brigade"; and its leader as "Stonewall" Jackson."The Stonewall Brigade in the Civil War" is a brief history of the regiment written by Patrick Hook and Steve Smith. A comprehensive history of the Stonewall Brigade it is not; but for such a short book its authors have packed it full of information. Formed primarily of men from the Shenandoah Valley; the first section in the book covers the origin of the brigade and the many local militia units that coalesced to form it. The next section; and the bulk of the book; gives a thumbnail sketch of each of battle the Stonewall Brigade participated in; along with orders of battle for the brigade in each engagement. That is followed by a section covering the equipment and uniforms of the Stonewall Brigade and that is in turn followed by a section of short biographical sketches of the men who led the brigade. The final section is the authors' assessment of the brigade.Hook Smith have filled the book with photographs; maps and illustrations; the only thing I find lacking is the absence of any type of notation. They do however include a reference; or bibliographic; section which I assume they have used as their source material; as well as a handful of internet resources. For anyone interested in The Stonewall Brigade; this book is a great place to start.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. The Confederacy's Most Famous Unit in Action!By Mike O'ConnorThe 1st Brigade; Virginia Volunteers - the Stonewall Brigade - is arguably the most famous unit the CSA fielded in the Civil War. Officially formed on 27 April 1861; the unit; initially led by T. J. Jackson; forged a combat reputation second to none. The history of this illustrious unit is the subject of Patrick Hook and Steve Smith's THE STONEWALL BRIGADE IN THE CIVIL WAR; a recent 'Spearhead' series book from Zenith Press.The 1st Brigade and its commander won immortality barely three months after the unit was formed; both winning the 'Stonewall' moniker by playing a vital role in the First Battle of Bull Run. Under Jackson and subsequent commanders such as Richard Garnett; Charles Winder and Elisha Paxton; the unit saw hard combat in the 1863 Valley Campaign; Second Bull Bull; Antietam; Gettysburg; etc. Yet the reputation the Brigade won came at a terrible cost. The unit was all but destroyed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (8-20 May 1864); barely 200 men being left alive. Merged with several other chewed-up brigades; the survivors fought on to the bitter end.Hook and Smith devote 102 of the book's 128 pages to telling the Stonewall Brigade's history. Brief sections then follow on equipment; commanders; assessment and a bibliography. The text is illustrated with dozens of bw and color photographs; maps; charts and artwork.Reading THE STONEWALL BRIGADE IN THE CIVIL WAR brings with it mixed emotions. While the Brigade's battle exploits cannot help but impress; it's saddening to read of the horrendous losses it suffered. Of the 6;000+ men who served in the Stonewall Brigade during the Civil War; 210 remained at war's end.Though not exhaustive; THE STONEWALL BRIGADE IN THE CIVIL WAR is an interesting; informative and well-illustrated history. All Civil War buffs will want to add this excellent 'Spearhead' volume to their collection. Recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy JOYCE HOGBINgood