Search

Civil War historian Reid examines in depth the operational military history during the first three years of America's Civil War. In particular, he focuses on generalship, command decisions, strategy, and tactics, as well as the experiences of ordinary soldiers.

In this work, Brian Holden Reid examines the life and times of General Robert E. Lee, one of the great heroes of the American Civil War.

The Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in America's history, comprising 149 general engagements of importance and 2200 skirmishes. Trace the course of this seminal confrontation, including such factors as generalship, staff work, organization, intelligence, and logistics, to see how they affected the shape and decisions of the battlefield. Look closely at the strengths and weakness of the opposing sides--the North's industrial power and the South's material shortages, for example--and the effect of new weaponry on tactics. And, unlike histories that downplay the connection between the outcome in the United States and the conflicts in Europe, this one reveals their interconnection by also examining the Crimean War and Prussia's battles with Austria and France.

In his study of the American Civil War Brian Holden Reid embeds some new arguments, both persuasive and provocative, in a narrative framework. He suggests that the war was not as 'modern' as many previous writers have suggested, and more closely resembled Napoleonic warfare in importantrespects than it did in World War I. He also stresses the importance of examining the relationship between military and political affairs: of assessing the extent to which strategy on both sides developed out of political sources. To the traditional question 'why did it take the North so long tosubjugate the South', the suggestion in this book is that the question is misconceived: that in the circumstances of the time, the subjugation was achieved in a short period, with great efficiency. It is sometimes suggested that the winners were more up-to-date in their approach to war: that Grantand Sherman were somehow more forward-looking than Lee and Johnston. In fact there was little difference in their approach. Far more important was the margin of resources that so favoured the North. Recent interpretations have argued that the Confederacy, given the imbalance of resources, shouldhave adopted a defensive strategy - but, as Holden Reid demonstrates, this view is based on the erroneous assumption that the defensive is more economical in casualities. This book will introduce readers to the heart of many of the issues that surround the conduct of the war and in the processdislodge many of the conventional wisdoms that have attached to its history.

The American Civil War (1861-65) was the bloodiest war of the nineteenth century and its impact continues to be felt today. It, and its origins have been studied more intensively than any other period in American history, yet it remains profoundly controversial. Brian Holden Reid's formidable volume is a major contribution to this ongoing historical debate. Based on a wealth of primary research, it examines every aspect of the origins of the conflict and addresses key questions such as was it an avoidable tragedy, or a necessary catharsis for a divided nation? How far was slavery the central issue? Why should the conflict have errupted into violence and why did it not escalate into world war?

Formative years, 1822-1861 -- Working his way, March 1861-March 1864 -- Command of the military division of the Mississippi -- Things will never be the same again: the reckoning.

This book consists of sixteen pieces, by British scholars, on aspects of the American (and Anglo-American) experience.

Bogens tema er britisk militærhistorie personificeret ved mellemkrigstidens to store militære tænkere J.F.C.Fuller og B.H.Liddell Hart. Antologien indeholder 11 essay's. Af disse er de fem alene helliget Fuller, der spænder fra hans bidrag til teorien om mekaniseret krigsførelse til hans vision om et særligt operativt niveau (Operational level of war). Kun en enkelt essay vedrører Liddell Hart og desuden T.E.Lawrence. De resterende fem essay's indeholder en sammenlignede analyse af Fuller's og Liddell Hart's tilgang til samme emner - spændende fra deres holdning til facisme til deres behandling af antikkens krigsførelse og den amerikanske borgerkrig...Bogen indeholder tillige en særlig bibliografi over de vigtigste værker af Fuller og Liddell Hart.

Formative years, 1822-1861 -- Working his way, March 1861-March 1864 -- Command of the military division of the Mississippi -- Things will never be the same again: the reckoning.