Sherman's March: An Eyewitness History of the Cruel Campaign That Helped End a Crueler War

by Richard Wheeler

Drawing on primary sources, Wheeler creates a first-person account of Sherman's march, providing a new perspective supporting his contention that Sherman's strategy shortened the war by destroying property rather than soldiers

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Civil War, American History

241 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Richard "Dick" Wheeler was an accomplished military historian and served with the United States Marine Corp (Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division) during World War II. Wheeler participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima and was wounded there. He wrote seventeen military history books and served as a consultant on numerous movie and television productions. He passed away on October 21, 2008 at the age of 86.

Reviews

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Wheeler's oral histories allow readers to put themselves in the past. Reading them, I have a good idea how the American Revolution or the Battle of Iwo Jima would have felt as an experience. This account of William Tecumseh Sherman's "march to the sea" through Georgia in 1864 feels tangible and real. The details about the general are especially good. The supposedly bloodthirsty commander actually loved the South and did not relish the damage he was to inflict, yet he saw it as necessary to ending the war. The sense of terror Georgians in the path of Sherman's army felt is also palpable. An excellent addition to any Civil War buff's bookshelf.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

In interesting view of Sherman’s Match to the Sea. If you have heard nothing but that Sherman was an American terrorist, you’ll be surprised to learn how General Sherman truly felt about the south, and southerners in general.

A deep bibliography accompanies the text, but doesn’t footnote the text so you cannot quickly go to the source materials. However, as a helpful eyewitness about the book is solid and helpful.

The view of Sherman was not dissimilar to that of those who made the decision to use the atomic bomb in WW2: this act of destruction, harsh and painful as it may be, ultimately saved more lives than it cost by bringing an end to a terrible war.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Wheeler has done great research and produced many personal vignettes on General Sherman's March from soldiers and civilians from both South and North. I learned a lot about Sherman and would recommend this book - would give it a 3.5 if possible.

[Hans Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Wheeler's "Sherman's March" is a classic history of William Tecumseh Sherman's 1864-5 March to the Sea and Carolina Campaign that, even nearly fifty years after it was published, still deserves a place of honor on the shelf of any Civil War enthusiast.

[Joel Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wheeler's woven-together Civil War eyewitness histories are rarely ground-breaking, but the way he chooses his vignettes, memoirs, etc make them very enjoyable reading.

[Kristen freund · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED. historical nerd alert. Very easy read and educational. Most of it was real accounts from soldiers, Sherman, and civilians. Whole new perspective on the civil war!

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great look at the events through the diaries of people who lived it.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many firsthand accounts of Sherman's march. Not much of a narrative but the firsthand sources were interesting.

[Bone2Pick · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3.5 Stars~

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly detailed, disorganized and boring. Nothing new, and some questionable analysis regarding enslaved persons’ motivations.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Various parts of the American public have always had a love-hate relationship with William Tecumseh Sherman, and this book helps to explain why.
He's hated in the South, and gets mixed reviews from the African American community because of his views at the time, and this book does a good job of explaining both.
Sherman felt that the lack of consequences for the civilians in the South were part of why the war dragged on, so he set out to remedy that. On the march of his troops through Georgia and the Carolinas, he was unsympathetic to these civilians who finally had to pay at least a small price for the war they had supported, as a community. Individual union-supporters were not exempt, because he felt that they hadn't done enough to prevent or to end the war.
African Americans both benefited and suffered from Sherman's policies. Out of military necessity, he caused a great deal of suffering, and even his beneficial acts turned out to be temporary.
The first-person accounts do an excellent job of bringing the story to life in an understandable way.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another read aloud book my husband and I chose.
It takes the Union's Civil War General Sherman from the fall of Atlanta, Ga., to, of course, his historic march to the sea to cut off supplies to Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his army.
Along the way, the book tells of how the Union army soldiers acted as victors in the South and gives some insight into Sherman's personality and thought processes.
Sherman's March is not the last word on this subject and certain parts of it could be expanded, but it is a decent, overall account of the war at that time and the leaders involved.

[Del · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging look into the famed March to the Sea, in all of its glory and horror. I like they way it weaves first hand accounts of Northern soldiers as well as Southern civilians. You can see why the man was both worshiped and reviled by reading this book. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to better understand the lasting impact of the Civil War on the psyche of the nation.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author got personal stories from the people involed during this time in history.Taught me new things about Sherman I did not know.Very good,just wish I could keep all the facts straight!!

[Sam Motes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Sherman is one of pure General able to make the hard devious to a passioned friend of the south after his scorched earth arch to the sea.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel more sympathy for Sherman.