- Paperback: 296 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins Canada / Non-Fiction; Reprint edition (Mar 2 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0380725096
- ISBN-13: 978-0380725090
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13.2 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 249 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Library Journal
In this slim book, Tennessee-born novelist and historian Bowers returns to the source of boyhood memories and family lore to make big claims about the sites of two Tennessee battles in the Civil War. Bowers writes drums-and-powder history, with overmuch attention to generals and tactics and little on men and the meaning of combat. Despite Bowers's assertion that Confederate defeat in Tennessee sealed the South's doom and his absurd speculation that a more favorable result there might have led to a negotiated peace, he provides little context to show how or why the battles might have mattered in the larger strategy and psychology of the war. A few deftly executed vignettes of generals (with Braxton Bragg again getting his comeuppance) redeem an otherwise flat narrative that offers neither sufficient new information nor insight to justify its purchase by any but the most assiduous collector.
Randall M. Miller, St. Joseph's Univ., Philadelphia
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Randall M. Miller, St. Joseph's Univ., Philadelphia
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
This slim, eminently readable book by an established novelist and historian covers the two major battles of the Tennessee campaign in the fall of 1863. The Confederacy then had its last clear chance to reverse the course of the war. But its army proceeded to throw away what might have been a decisive victory at Chickamauga and was then driven from Tennessee at Chattanooga (the best-known episode of which is the Battle of Missionary Ridge). Bowers gives us almost straight narrative history, providing little background and less analysis but many memorable pen portraits of specific units and commanders (he adds notably to the well-deserved scorn heaped on Braxton Bragg). Although it may not adhere to the strictest academic canons for Civil War historiography, this volume is far too much fun not to recommend warmly. Roland Green
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is a Hoot!,
By
This review is from: Chickamauga and Chattanooga: The Battles That Doomed the Confederacy (Paperback)
No one will ever accuse John Bowers of letting historical facts get in the way of telling a good story. Hyperbole? Lively? This is a good overview of the campaign, especially for beginners, but Bowers is really interested in telling dramatic stories about the major figures. But he needs to check his facts. For example, on page 101 he introduces Ambrose Bierce, a lieutenant in the 9th Indiana Infantry, and uses an excerpt from Bierce's post-war short story "Chickamauga" to illustrate the fighting. But on page 146 Bowers calls him Captain Bierce, an officer in an Ohio battery and chronicler of the battle. Although a serious student of the battle will do much better to read Steven Woodworth and Peter Cozzens, many will find Bowers very entertaining. Bowers is from East Tennessee and is the grandson of a Confederate cavalryman who fought in the battle. Bowers' best story in this book is in the Acknowledgements and concerns a Virginia patrician historian at the New York City Civil War Round Table. This alone is worth the cover price!
3.0 out of 5 stars
Battles that Doomed the Confederacy,
By Samuel R. Rosselli (Mesa, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Chickamauga and Chattanooga: The Battles That Doomed the Confederacy (Paperback)
I found this book to be very enjoyable reading. The book goes into depth about the battle that occured at Chickamauga and Chattanooga, but does not require the reader to be familiar with Civil War history. I found this book to be easy to read as well as enjoyable. Unfortunately, Bowers writes with a sympathetic viewpoint towards the CSA and goes into detail about Chickamauga (which was a confederate victory) but barely gleems over the battle of Chattanooga. good book for the lay reader, but you historians and civil war buffs may be disappointed.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing read - relief to those who hate dry history,
By
This review is from: Chickamauga and Chattanooga: The Battles That Doomed the Confederacy (Paperback)
This book is one of the best history books I've read in ages. The story is presented in a gripping style and the characterizations and revelations are done majestically. Take for example this description of Leonidas Polk: "A handsome man with a full head of wavy graying hair and strong Roman features, he always seemed on the verge of giving a benediction or asking that the fried chicken be passed."Mr. Bower's descriptions are entertaining and enlightening. Chicamauga isn't about strategy, it was a soldiers fight. What mattered was the character of the men involved. This book goes into the details. I cannot recommend this more highly.
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