Battle of wills : Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and the last year of the Civil War / by David Alan Johnson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Johnson, David Alan, 1950- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885--Psychology.

Grant, Ulysses S.

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885--Military leadership.

Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870--Psychology.

Lee, Robert E.

Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870--Military leadership.

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885.

Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870.

Generals--Biography.

Generals.

Command of troops.

Psychology.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns.

United States.

History.

Military campaigns.

Genre:

History.

Biographies.

Physical Description:

317 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Amherst, New York : Prometheus Books, 2016.

Summary:

"Historians have long analyzed the battles and the military strategies that brought the American Civil War to an end. Going beyond tactics and troop maneuvers, this book concentrates on the characters of the two opposing generals--Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant--showing how their different temperaments ultimately determined the course of the war. As author David Alan Johnson explains, Grant's dogged and fearless determination eventually gained the upper hand over Lee's arguably superior military brilliance. Delving into their separate upbringings, the book depicts Grant as a working-class man from Ohio and Lee as a Virginia aristocrat. Both men were strongly influenced by their fathers. Grant learned a lesson in determination as he watched his father overcome economic hardships to make a successful living as a tanner and leather goods dealer. By contrast, Lee did his best to become the polar opposite of his father, a man whose bankruptcy and imprisonment for unpaid debts brought disgrace upon the family. Lee cultivated a manner of unimpeachable respectability and patrician courtesy, which in the field of battle did not always translate into decisive orders. Underscoring the tragedy of this fratricidal conflict, the author recounts episodes from the earlier Mexican war (1846-1848), when Grant and Lee and many other officers who would later oppose each other were comrades in arms. This vivid narrative brings to life a crucial turning point in American history, showing how character and circumstances combined to have a decisive influence on the course of events"-- Provided by publisher.

"Shows how the outcome of the Civil War was influenced by the opposing commanders' different backgrounds, personalities, and outlooks"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Roads Beginning 13

Curing a Headache 13

He Was Mortal 19

Captain of Engineers 30

Chapter 2 Preparations 51

Taking All Responsibility 51

...And the War 59

The New Lieutenant General 61

That Man Will Fight Us 65

Chapter 3 No Turning Back 71

Matters of Confidence 71

The Big Skedaddle 80

Trusting on God and General Grant 91

Chapter 4 Advantages and Disadvantages 107

Inspiration by Example 107

Pushing the Enemy 111

Unfortunate Day 135

Chapter 5 Holding on Longer 143

Agonizing Decisions 143

Striking Them a Blow 149

Really Whipped 162

Chapter 6 Striking and Maneuvering 173

Like a Private Soldier 173

At Last Accomplishing Something 174

A Mere Question of Time 189

An Unexpected Ally 200

Chapter 7 Last Campaign 205

A Suitable Meeting Place 205

A General Assault Along the Lines 206

A Meeting with General Grant 238

Chapter 8 A Few Vital Hours on a Sunday Afternoon 259

The Best Possible Effect 259

Changing Attitudes 270.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references ( pages 305-309) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Johnson, David Alan, 1950- author. Battle of wills

ISBN:

9781633882454

1633882454

OCLC:

945719292