Rating: 
Summary: Well worth the read
Review: This is the first book I have read which dealt exclusively with the Wilderness. General histories of the war I have read treated it like a fight between two uncontrolled mobs in the forest. I was surprised to learn that it had many of the elements of tactics and control found in a typical Civil War battle. The book is quite well written, though not quite as thorough as works by Peter Cozzens. Overall, a very good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!!!
Review: This was the first installment in Gordon C. Rhea's Overland Campaign series. It is a great, well-paced account of the Battle of the Wilderness. It is also one of the few narratives of this battle. The maps, by the great George Skoch, are plentiful and great. Buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: one of the best!!
Review: WITH THIS BOOK ,YOU CAN READ THE FOOTNOTES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE INSTEAD OF HAVING TO FLIP BACK AND FORTH ALL THE TIME TO THE BACK.I KNOW FOR ME THIS GETS AGGRAVATING.NOW.............HAVING SAID THIS,LET'S GET TO THE SUBJECT.THIS IS A WELL RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN STORY.YOU CAN'T GO WRONG IN READING THIS AS WELL AS ALL OF RHEA'S BOOKS.BUY THEM ALL! HE BRINGS THE TENSION AND COMPLICATIONS OF COMMAND IN SUCH A DENSE THICKET TO LIFE. A REAL SUSPENSE FILLED,ACTION PACKED TRUE ACCOUNT OF A TERRIBLE CAMPAIGN. YOU WILL BITE YOUR FINGERNAILS INTO THE QUICK AS YOU TURN EVERY PAGE. ONE OF THE FINEST BOOKS EVER WRITTEN ON THIS SUBJECT.
Rating:
Summary: A magnificent book
Review: Yet Gordon Rhea don't have historical research background (Rhea is partner in lawyer's firm) he have completed an outstanding study of this important military campaign that, de facto, opens the so-called Overland Campaign in the Eastern Theatre in mid 1864.The author offers not only a vivid description of the experience of the common soldier in the fighting, thanks to deep research in primary sources like letters,diaries et cetera, and a series of micro-tactical analysis of the engagements in the various phases of the battle - two days long - but also, and in my opinion this is the strongest point of this book, a careful, intelligent and objective study of the leadership of the two opponents. And this at various levels of command, from regimentals through corps levels to two principal actors of this dramatic fought, i.e. Lee and Grant. The actions of Generals Ewell and Longtreet - and his genial plan for side attack in the morning of 6th May on the left flank of Unionists - from one side and Generals Warren and Hancock, from other side, are scrutinized like the best performances. The only weak of this exceptional well-written study, is the lacking of really detailed maps. These are compiled by George Skoch, well knowed and appreciated contributor to many CW studies, but his job here is not so good like elsewhere. Yet, Gordon Rhea offers one of the best military study I have read: a must for every serious student of the civil war.
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