U.S. GRANT by Michael B. Ballard ( 9780842029353 ) - Books & Audio Books at Pickabook.co.uk

Item Details

Title:

U.S. GRANT
THE MAKING OF A GENERAL,1861-1863

By:

Format:

Paperback

List price:	£13.95
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ISBN 10:

0842029354

ISBN 13:

9780842029353

Publisher:

SCHOLARLY RESOURCES INC.,U.S.

Pub. date:

30 April, 2007

Series:

American Crisis

Pages:

200

Description:

What made Ulysses S. Grant tick? This text explores the influences and thought processes that shaped Grant's strategic and tactical concepts during the first part of the Civil War.

Synopsis:

What made Ulysses S. Grant tick? Perhaps the greatest general of the Civil War, Grant won impressive victories and established a brilliant military career. He never worried about what the enemy was doing, said Grant's friend and lieutenant. William T. Sherman. Grant concentrated instead on what he had to do and getting it done. His single-minded approach to command was coupled with the ability to adapt to the kind of military campaign that was required at the moment. Despite his memorable leadership, there is much to be learned about Grant. Michael B. Ballard explores the influences and thought processes that shaped Grant's strategic and tactical concepts during the first part of the Civil War in U.S. Grant: The Making of a General, 1861-1863. Ballard, whose Civil War books have been History Book Club selections, examines how Grant dealt with military and civilian politics and how the general put together effective command teams and motivated both officers and common soldiers.Following Grant chronologically - from his earliest service in the war to Donelson, to Shiloh, through the Vicksburg campaign (the pinnacle of Grant's military career), and finally to Chattanooga - this innovative, important study uses new manuscript sources as well as old ones in new ways to reveal important answers about how Grant thought. The Making of a General analyzes Grant in the western theater of the Civil War, reviewing the diaries and letters of his staff and Sherman, examining his written orders and other dispatches, and looking at his personal reactions to various events in his letters to family and non-military friends. This book gives an in-depth analysis of Grant's decision-making and his dealings with politicians and fellow officers. It addresses not just what, but why and how. Many issues are addressed as this book probes Grant's actions during the first two years of the war. How did Grant respond to the demands of his early service? Was he decisive, in control, or was he feeling his way, both as a planner and as a leader? In the later Henry and Donelson campaign, did he shape the course of events or merely react to the natural evolution of the campaign?What did Grant learn from the trials and tribulations of the Shiloh campaign? Why did he think he could come through north Mississippi during the Vicksburg campaign without having his supply line disrupted? What gave Grant the idea to try the various waterways approaches to Vicksburg, and how did his thinking move toward the successful strategy of diversion? Based on his 1861-1863 performance, where was Grant as a general when he assumed overall command of Union forces - how had he grown, changed, and developed as a man and commander? The Making of a General gives readers a better understanding of how Grant achieved military greatness. This fascinating book is must reading for everyone interested in Grant, the Civil War, and military history.

Illustrations:

photographs, maps

Publication:

Imprint:

Scholarly Resources Inc.,U.S.

Returns:

Non-returnable

Some other items by this author:

1863 (HB)

A LONG SHADOW (PB)

A MISSISSIPPI REBEL IN THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA (PB)

CHICKASAW, A MISSISSIPPI SCOUT FOR THE UNION (HB)