Touched With Fire: Five Presidents And The Civil War Battles That Made Them

by James M. Perry

"In our youth our hearts were touched with fire."

So said Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., the future Supreme Court justice, about his fellow veterans of the Civil War. The 1860s were a time much like the 1940s, when a generation of idealistic young Americans answered their country 's call, and many made the supreme sacrifice to preserve freedom and liberty for all. And among the two million "boys in blue " were five soldiers whose wartime heroics would take them into national politics -a ride that would lead, in time, to the White House. In Touched with Fire , James M. Perry reintroduces us to these five men -Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. "Ruddy" Hayes, James A. "Jamie " Garfield, Benjamin "Little Ben " Harrison, and William "Mack " McKinley -who rose to the pinnacle of American life but are now largely forgotten. Drawing on diaries, letters, and other first-hand accounts, Perry recreates the battles that brought them fame and extols the courage that made them extraordinary leaders, especially under fire. The Civil War was their finest hour, and their stories form a vivid reminder of what a truly great generation can accomplish.

Genres: History, Civil War, Presidents, American History, Nonfiction, Us Presidents, Military History

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually a reader of war books, but I’ve visited the Civil War battles twice recently, and this one was completely worth it.

James Perry takes us alongside five future presidents as they fight (and do other things) to save the union. We get to know them personally and follow them as they enter the field--and the Wilderness. We read of their sometimes embellished (or maybe just misremembered) war stories, and we get plenty of opinions from others: People who served with them, family, and rivals.

Grant of course gets top billing, as his story is told first. But really the book is generally chronological by their eventual presidential terms. Hayes and McKinley’s stories blend a little, as the latter served under the former. Garfield is next, and he returns to life for some much-deserved attention. Perry may be a bit unfair to both Grant and Garfield in some ways, but overall presents them in a very good light. Harrison finishes things out, before the book turns to their White House years.

The presidential history in the final chapter is fast but more than adequate, and reveal the tragedies of two men forgotten, two murdered, and one leaving Washington in scandal. All touched with fire.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique biographical collection - a new angle on the Civil War

I am a big fan of Civil War histories. I have more than 75 fiction and non-fiction Civil War books on my bookshelf (mostly non-fiction) so I am hardly a newbie to this area. When I comment that this is a new angle, I an really saying something.

It's not that James M. Perry has uncovered new documents or new information, but he has re-shuffled the "same old" information into a new pattern. In this case, he has focused on the five Presidents that fought in the Civil War (Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison and McKinley). Perry includes a modest pre-war biography of each of the men and then goes into greater detail on their war experiences. The level of detail is neither skimpy nor excessive - he strikes a nice balance.

As a group, they all had many things in common. To a man, they all...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/...

[R. Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy five stars for me, and it's a testament to Perry's lazy writing style that I'm only awarding it four. Touched with Fire is a good book, but the subject matter was so rich and interested that it demanded to be an excellent one. It's not just that the prose is rather boring - Perry relies a little too heavily on the block quote, especially in the second half - but Perry doesn't let the subject matter speak for itself. Instead, he devises characterizations for the presidents that may or may not have actually existed. James Garfield is particularly mistreated; not a single good deed can be done without it being "forever marred by [his] own devious and self-serving nature." C'mon, man.

[noreast_bookreviewsnh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touched with Fire: Five Presidents and the Civil War Battles that Made Them by James Perry
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A neat little micro history of five presidents who served in combat in the civil war; Ulysses Grant, James Garfield, Rutherford Hayes, William McKinley, and Benjamin Harrison. The civil war was the defining moment for each of these men and their experiences led them to the White House and guided the country through the gilded age (post civil war till the end of McKinley as President). The author draws on personal recollections and firsthand accounts of the combat that these men faced as veterans, featuring battles such as Fort Henry and Donelson, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Antietam, Chickamauga, and South Mountain. Grant commanded all the Union Army, Garfield a Brigadier General under Rosencrans in the western theatre, Hayes a colonel of the 23rd Ohio and eventually brevet Major General, Harrison the colonel of the 70th Indiana would go on to become a brigadier general, and McKinley a private in the 23rd Ohio under Hayes would become a brevet Major for his services. After the war well over a million veterans would help to elect these men to higher office and in turn these men helped secure pensions and jobs for their comrades in arms.

Although the author offers some interesting (and not always accurate) assessments of these men, I still enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others looking for a unique perspective.

[Neal Fandek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book by any means, but not a great book: this is far, far more about the battles than the men themselves. Curiously hollow, despite all the action and first-hand accounts. All battle all the time; little analysis. Not to mention, the author allows himself asides all the time, and tends to meander.

[Benjamin Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. Discussed the experiences of the 5 American Presidents that were Civil War veterans. Surprisingly enough, the brutal and bloody Civil War was remembered fondly by many veterans. The adventure, travel, comradery with their fellow soldiers, as well as the basic belief in their cause all fueled those fond memories.

Gives a brief and fair account of their presidencies, but barely touches on McKinley's tenure in office which is disappointing.

Gives a perceptive analysis of Gilded Age politics and the importance of veterans associations.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been on a Civil War binge lately, so it was interesting reading about the 5 Presidents who served in the Civil War. I enjoyed reading about their varied experiences, as Grant ended up commanding all Union armies and McKinley started out as a private. On the other hand, the author felt the need to overstress the importance of some of the soldiers. Garfield in particular felt like his importance was exaggerated. Also the description of the elections during the Gilded Era were so depressing due to the corruption.

[Tiffany Connors · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just started this. As a Civil War geek, it's appealing to read books that go beyond battlefield techniques, but so far the Grant section is a lot of stuff I've read about before. But I can hardly wait for Benjamin Harrison.

[Courtnie Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book i just wish i could actullay get this book from my library cause it answers one of my questions on my homework for History.

[Eric A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid overview of the five Civil War Veteran Presidents experiences in the Civil War. The last chapter gives a brief overview of their elections and record as president. Very enjoyable book.