American General: The Life and Times of William Tecumseh Sherman

by John S.D. Eisenhower

From respected historian John S. D. Eisenhower comes a surprising portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman, the Civil War general whose path of destruction cut the Confederacy in two, broke the will of the Southern population, and earned him a place in history as “the first modern general.” Yet behind his reputation as a fierce warrior was a sympathetic man of complex character.

A century and a half after the Civil War, Sherman remains one of its most controversial figures—the soldier who brought the fight not only to the Confederate Army, but to Confederate civilians as well. Yet Eisenhower, a West Point graduate and a retired brigadier general (Army Reserves), finds in Sherman a man of startling contrasts, not at all defined by the implications of “total war.” His scruffy, disheveled appearance belied an unconventional and unyielding intellect. Intensely loyal to superior officers, especially Ulysses S. Grant, he was also a stalwart individualist. Confident enough to make demands face-to-face with President Lincoln, he sympathetically listened to the problems of newly freed slaves on his famed march from Atlanta to Savannah. Dubbed “no soldier” during his years at West Point, Sherman later rose to the rank of General of the Army, and though deeply committed to the Union cause, he held the people of the South in great affection.

In this remarkable reassessment of Sherman’s life and career, Eisenhower takes readers from Sherman’s Ohio origins and his fledgling first stint in the Army, to his years as a businessman in California and his hurried return to uniform at the outbreak of the war. From Bull Run through Sherman’s epic March to the Sea, Eisenhower offers up a fascinating narrative of a military genius whose influence helped preserve the Union—and forever changed war.

Genres: Civil War, Biography, History, American History, Nonfiction, American Civil War, Military Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower was a United States Army officer, diplomat, and military historian. He was the son of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. His military career spanned from before, during, and after his father's presidency, and he left active duty in 1963 and then retired in 1974. From 1969 to 1971, Eisenhower served as United States Ambassador to Belgium during the administration of President Richard Nixon, who was previously his father's vice president and also his daughter-in-law's father.

As a military historian, Eisenhower wrote several books, including The Bitter Woods, a study of the Battle of the Bulge, So Far from God, a history of the Mexican–American War and Yanks: The Epic Story of the American Army in World War I .

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief and easily readable biography of Grant's right hand man in the US Civil War. Author Eisenhower spends the vast majority of the book recounting Sherman's actions in the war, from his campaigns in the West to his brutal march through the South. Overviews of the major battles are given, along with brief mention of the major politicians and generals.

Regarding the "life and times" of the title, the book certainly gives an overview of the times with great focus on the war between the states. I would have liked more chapters about the life of the man as Sherman's major role after the war, especially with the Native tribes, is only briefly mentioned.

Recommended, but dedicated Civil War readers will look further for a more substantial Sherman biography. Fortunately, the extensive notes and bibliography list plenty more titles to read.

[Paul Stansbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Eisenhower's perspective of Sherman's life and his devotion to Grant and also how he kept his humility about hom

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book, Eisenhower humanizes Sherman calls him the first modern general because he had lived in the south, understood the people and knew it would take more than winning battles to get the proud people to surrender. His rampage through the south in the final episode of the Civil war was premeditated. He did not allow his troops to burn houses or property that could be used, to simply destroy property. He cut their rails, and transportation, and destroyed their livelihood that they would see they must surrender. Other generals caused much of the depredation that he was accused of. Wise general, hated war, hated killing, worked with Grant to strategically end the war and he was as vital to that as Grant was.

[Daryl Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having spent a lot of time in the South I very much enjoyed reading about General Sherman's life and his understanding of the South and support of the Civil War.
Learned a lot about the Civil war and the relationship between Sherman and Grant.

[Tom Darrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather average biography of William T. Sherman, both in its content and execution.

Positives - very fast to read. The author's style is very approachable and he doesn't use a lot of unnecessarily complicated/specialized words, so in that regard, this book will appeal to a lot of non-specialist readers. Contains some interesting details about his early life, being orphaned and his relationship with his wife. The research is fairly solid and well documented.

Neutral - the page count is padded significantly. Each chapter has its own separate title page, so there are like at least 40 blank or nearly blank pages. If you want to feel like you're reading a book faster than normal, this would appeal to you.

Negatives - definitely not groundbreaking scholarship. He doesn't really have a scholarly argument other than Sherman is an interesting and influential person. The vast majority of the book is about his service during the Civil War, and even that is pretty superficial. For example, it doesn't talk much about his specific command decisions within battles. The book does a fair job at covering the overarching strategy, but not specific things. His thirteen years as commander of the US Army is covered in about half of one chapter. Also, the maps are not very detailed and always seem to be located in a section of a chapter where the text is talking about something else, which forces the reader to have to flip back to the map. The pictures in the middle of the book are also fairly useless. Full page pictures of people who your average reader will already know (Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, etc).

So, generally speaking (get it? "generally"?), this is a pretty average book. It was a quick read and I learned a little bit, but that's about it.

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise, readable and well-researched biography of Sherman.

The book should serve well as an introduction, and it doesn’t bring anything new, but Eisenhower is evenhanded and does sketch Sherman’s public and private lives well. The narrative is a quick read since the style is straightforward, but also since there’s not much real insight.

There is little on Sherman’s racial attitudes, for instance, and for some reason Eisenhower blames John Bell Hood for the burning of Columbia, even though he wasn’t anywhere near the town when it burned. There is no analysis of Sherman as a tactician, and little on Chattanooga, and little on the importance of Sherman’s capture of Atlanta.The bibliography seems a bit skimpy. Also, he often talks about the “Army of the Tennessee” without specifying which one. Also, there is little on Sherman’s postwar career as general-in-chief, which Eisenhower judges to be of little importance. Eisenhower also writes that Sir Francis Drake traversed the Strait of Magellan “150 years” after Magellan did.

A sympathetic, well-written biography, though you may want to consult more comprehensive ones.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the first time I read a history of a war that followed a specific general, rather than a large scope of the war. It was also probably the first time I read a history of the battle for Atlanta and Sherman's march to the sea from a northern perspective (I grew up in the south and am coming to realize how much my understanding of American history was shaped by the Lost Cause narrative). This was fascinating and well written. I was also drawn to it because it was written by the son of President/General Dwight D. Eisenhower, so of course the author knew his battles/war strategy, but he didn't get bogged down in the weeds and I never felt it was hard to read. I also appreciated the start and ending of the books that put Sherman's life within the larger context of other historical events, not just the Civil War. He was involved in the gold rush in CA, conflicts between Native American tribes and Mexico, and the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, to name a few things that I don't often associate with the Civil War. I'm really glad I read this!

[Sharon Foust · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read Sherman's own "Memoirs" I wondered if there was something more to learn about this remarkable man who with US Grant won the Civil War. This is John Eisenhower's last book. He does a good job of making Sherman's story easy to read. Cump Sherman was a complicated man, whose connection to powerful people made his life much more than it would have been as a child who lost his father at an early age in the 1820's. Eisenhower concentrates more on Sherman's military career, than Sherman himself does in his Memoirs. His family life was very complicated and his time spent in the business world was scrupulously honest. Sherman's military service is exemplary and he rises to the pinnacle of military life in this country. But his most important quality was loyalty in his whole life; family, business, military. Something seemingly sorely lacking in today's world.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. A serviceable biography on General Sherman. It constantly felt rushed and left me wanting more. Because of this, I will be seeking out other books on Sherman. He's a fascinating man, but this book was more interested in telling the story of his military campaigns. The last quarter especially felt rushed to me.

There were small mistakes of historical fact strewn throughout which was disappointing. It was fine for a casual reader looking for a quick bio on Sherman. It hits all the highlights. If you're familiar on even a basic level with him, you'll want to read a different work on his life.

[Gerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

The past two decades have seen a number of books on General Sherman, who has apparently proved to be an interesting character worth writing about. This book offers little that is new (well, he once rode with Kit Carson in California). It was the author's last work and was published posthumously. It's adequate if all the reader needs is a single, simple biography; those seeking more, especially about the general's battles and campaigns, should look elsewhere.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelllent biography of W. T. Sherman. Eisenhower covers the subject such that the average reader gets a good idea of the guy's military life. Author does not cover much more than the civil war experience--Sherman served many more years after the wa and has quite a history with the "Indian Wars." . If you want more detail, read another book. This one was fine for me. Any more detail and I'd be mired in mud up to my knees.

[Miles Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ended uo being a good solid biography. There's nothing **incredible** about it but that doesnt mean its not worth reading. Ive given it four stars because I think its useful not only as a serviceable standard biography of Sherman but also to understand how a quintessential 20th Century soldier viewed the Civil War and the United States military in the 19th Century.

[Nate Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strong glance at the subject and works well to bring humanity to a general that hated war, but this is very much a biography for those that are already fans of the genre and/or subject matter i felt lost in dates and locations more than once.

[Bill Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Steve Schinke · Rating 2 out of 5]

For what it is (a high-level summary), it is a good read. Do not expect any deep analysis of war or any profound insights into the character of the man.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. It was succinct and very informative.

[Casey Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing was a bit dry at times, but the book still had plenty of insights into one of America’s most important war heroes.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent synopsis of his life - was a much more decent man than he is portrayed - as the man guiding the march to the sea during the Civil War. Above all, he was a loyal and competent soldier.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, clear, and concise biography of William Techumseh Sherman. I highly recommend it to everyone that enjoys learning about significant historical figures.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book if you are starting to learn about Gen. Sherman.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read but I would have expected more detail as some major aspects of his life were just kinda glossed over.

[Adelbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written synopsis of W T Sherman's life and career.

[Sydney Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare engaging biography that summarized Sherman’s life, thoughts, and character

[Matthew Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, easy to read biography.

[Schoppie · Rating 4 out of 5]

General John Eisenhower's biography of General William T. Sherman is a solid treatment of the subject. As a general himself, the author has a good grasp of many of the challenges Sherman faced, especially during the Civil War. He strips away the "boogeyman" created by Southern Lost Cause mythologists and portrays Sherman in a balanced way. Eisenhower's book is mostly focused on Sherman as an army officer, and it devoted less space to other facets of his life, but it covers most of the highlights of Sherman's career. The author also highlights Sherman's professional and personal friendship with General Ulysses S. Grant, without whom he would likely not have become the successful warrior that he was.

With that said, there are quite a number of errors in the book. These are generally minor historical facts and grammatical issues; however, those who are widely read on Sherman or the Civil War will spot them easily. Also, much of Sherman's later life is glossed over in the final chapter of the biography. These errors and omissions can likely be attributed to the fact that this was General Eisenhower's final book. Knowing that he would not live to see it published, he entrusted the project to his daughter, Susan, who carried the completed manuscript through to publication.

I first became aware of John Eisenhower's work many years ago, when I was a high school student. He is a fine historian, his analysis was always careful and fair, and this book - despite its minor errors - is a good, solid read about Sherman. I have a great amount of respect for this author, and I encourage those interested in Sherman to read this book. Veteran readers about Sherman will enjoy reviewing his career with the benefit of Eisenhower's insight and analysis, and readers new to the topic will find this book an excellent place to begin their discovery.

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good biography of General Sherman for anyone who wants to learn about his life without the minutia of a longer book and without more details of the battles. I tend to avoid military histories because I'm not that interested in the details of battle maneuvers. In this bio the author, John D. Eisenhower, does a very good job in presenting just enough of the battles to understand what the general and the soldiers of both sides faced. The reader doesn't get bogged down with details of the battles. Eisenhower's writing is clear, precise, and highly readable. The reader understands the action that takes place without constant referral to maps, which is good because the few maps included in this book provide simple overviews. The battle maps provide a basic schematic and Eisenhower's writing fills in the rest. A pretty good achievement. The weakest part of the book is Sherman's post-war life. I would've preferred a bit more, but the salient aspects are covered. I think readers will come away from this biography with a good understanding of Wm. T. Sherman's personality, and a greater appreciation of the part he played in the war. For most of us, he is overshadowed by Grant and his reputation comes from his marches on Atlanta and Savannah. This is unfortunate because the part he played in the Civil War is more than his campaigns in Georgia and more than being an underling to Grant, which he wasn't. I learned, for example, that in early 1861 before the war started, he knew - and you could say he foretold - what it was going to take to save the Union. Overall, this is a biography that keeps the reader engaged.

[Bradley Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. Great book. Gives you an idea of his campaign in the Midwest and a bit about other players during the Civil War. I look forward to reading other publications from Eisenhower.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the last of John Eisenhower's books before his death. Detailing the life of General Sherman, Eisenhower brought out the key points of his life. First, the connections made throughout his time at West Point and fighting in the Mexican American War. This lead to Sherman in the Civil War, and an interesting analysis of how the senior military leadership on both sides all knew each other as teenagers, then as junior officers. The book also tells how Sherman saw eye to eye with Grant in a focus on the destruction of the Southern Armies in lieu of a focus on terrain (proper COG analysis). Sherman then revolutionized war with his concept of total war on his march from Atlanta to Savannah.
The shortcoming in the book is the limited attention to Sherman after the war, and what he may have done as General of the Army.

[Joshua Booher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about the Civil War. This text did little for me, though. It was fairly straight forward and simplistic. In addition, I had several problems with the text. First, at times, he seemed to forget who his subject was. He would spend more time on Grant than Sherman. Second, he got his geography significantly wrong, at least once. He had a city on the Gulf Coast that is in central MS. This made me question his other facts. Third, he presented concepts as facts that are still being debated and did not back up his assertions. So, in the end, I would not recommend this book to a serious student of the Civil War.

[Curmudgeon · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's never a good sign when an author of a Civil War book can't keep the Army of Tennessee (CSA) and the Army of the Tennessee (USA) straight, or claims George McClellan was an Ohioan. I don't think I'd have picked this book up at all if my local library had had a better selection of Sherman bios on hand. Apparently Eisenhower died before this book was finished, and not having read any of his other books, I am not sure how much of the blame is his. There really isn't any area in which this book does well. Not recommended.