Grant's Lieutenants: From Cairo to Vicksburg (Modern War Studies)

Rating:
Summary: Well pshaw
Review: I almost always purchase anything on Grant or by Steve Wodworth so of course I snapped up this slim volume. Unfortunately it's not in the same league as its model, LEE'S LIEUTENANTS. The essays seem a bit short and superficial, and, for the most part, seem to reveal very little new information regarding their subjects. I think the publisher attempted too much in too little space. I also wish the editor would have given us a nice, comprehensive bibliographic essay on the existing biographies of these officers. I will of course purchase volume two despite this work's limitations.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing with scant new information
Review: Woodworth is a proven, able civil war historian, but this is one of his weakest books. Instead of concentrating on Grant's relationship with his subordinates, he focuses on mini biographhies of people in Grant's orbit, such as Wallace, Baldy Smith, Sherman and Sheridan. The biographies themselves are no better than what you would find in an encyclopedia and contain absolutely no new or novel information. There is very little material on the personal dynamics between the commander and his minions.

Grant's famous feuds with Rosecrans, Pap Thomas and Smith are poorly presented and glossed over without inciteful comment. A golden opportunity is missed here, because these disagreements highlight the most interesting aspect of Grant's relationships throughout the war. In short, a slim and completely unpenetrating look at a subject that is well suited for a lengthy and interesting examination.