Commanding the Storm: Civil War Battles in the Words of the Generals Who Fought Them

by John Richard Stephens

From Beauregard and Custer to Lee and Sherman, twelve commanders from each side vividly describe what they and their men experienced at twelve of the war’s most legendary battles from Fort Sumter to Appomattox Court House in accounts gathered from letters, memoirs, reports, and testimonies. They relate noted incidents and personal triumphs and tragedies while covering strategies and explaining battlefield decisions. Trench warfare at Petersburg and Sherman’s scorched earth policy in Georgia foreshadowed the world wars to come, and technological advancements—such as armored steamships, landmines, and machine guns—literally changed the landscape of war. Submarines and a time bomb even came into play. Informative biographies and headnotes for each battle give parallel statistics at a glance and establish context; sidebars cover notable tactics and technologies, including espionage, aerial reconnaissance, and guerilla warfare; and a concise roll-call outline each commander's life in full after the war. Here, from the men who conducted and controlled it, is an invaluable sourcebook of what happened in the War Between the States and why.

Genres: History, Civil War

609 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2012

Reviews

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Countless books have been written and read about the war that threatened to dissolve the United States. I enunciate read as these books are still avidly read and don’t just collect dust on a library shelf. The causes of and motivations to fight this war remain nebulous even to this day and the author makes an honest attempt to clear the air. Equal and unpartisan approach is taken at both sides, even employing the different names given to battles by each side of the conflict. This narrative doesn’t provide an overview of the war but rather the more local one of individual theaters of the war. Divisional and other field commanders often found themselves in the thick of the fighting making their individual views, opinions and impressions very different than those in other areas of a battle. This provides (together with other Civil War books) a better understanding of that 150 year old war that is still a favorite subject of debate. This book would be a welcome and treasured addition to anybody’s library. It doesn’t add much new information in the overall flow of the battles but does add a new and refreshing insight in the on field decision making.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in The Civil War. After reading 'House Divided'. '47. Ben Ames Williams, I was in need of more information about this war in our country. One hundred and fifty years ago really is
not that long ago. I was searching for a sense of order. Well, John Richard Stephens has done a magnificent job in helping me learn, understand, and appreciate this time in our history. Beginning with the most noted generals North and South, the technological improvements, real reason for this war, military intelligence, aerial reconnaissance, guerrillas, spies, and medicine / surgery this book is an eye opener.

Brilliant.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read about the war utilizing first-person accounts.

[Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a historical book about the Civil War. Its major point of differentiation from other books about the war is that it is essentially a compendium of letters and reports from the generals who fought it. That's what separates it from other books about the war. These are reproductions of many of the more important letters between senior officers from both sides of the war and reflect some pointed viewpoints that I found to be very interesting. I'm not a good student of the Civil War, but this book should be of interest to anyone with even a passing interest.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book detailing the major engagements of the Civil War from the men who commanded the troops in battle. Utilizing their field reports, memoirs and testimony in front of committee’s and other places it tells the stories of the major battles and Sherman’s March to the Sea. Good read.