Grant Comes East

Gettysburg #2

by Newt Gingrich, William R. Forstchen

In their runaway bestseller Gettysburg, Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen answered the Civil War's ultimate hypothetical question: What if Lee's army had won the victory within its grasp at Gettysburg in 1863? Now, through the same extraordinary research and brilliant character studies, we take the next step of a provocative journey: The Army of Northern Virginia is poised to invade Washington, D.C.. A besieged Lincoln calls on a general with a drinking problem to save the Union. And in the East, Ulysses Grant faces a storm of calamity and rivalry--and a war on the verge of being lost...

In this extraordinary book, the battlefront and home fronts come alive through the eyes of ordinary soldiers and such little known characters as General Herman Haupt, commander of the U.S. railroads, and the politician turned soldier General Dan Sickles--a political arch-enemy of Grant's. As the best of plans are undone, and every strategy countered by another, GRANT COMES EAST builds to a stunning portrait of the war that was--and the war that might have been...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Alternate History, Civil War, War, Military Fiction, Politics

512 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Newt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in forty years. After he was elected Speaker, he disrupted the status quo by moving power out of Washington and back to the American people. Under his leadership, Congress passed welfare reform, the first balanced budget in a generation, and the first tax cut in sixteen years. In addition, the Congress restored funding to strengthen defense and intelligence capabilities, an action later lauded by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

Today Newt Gingrich is a Fox News contributor. He is a Senior Advisor at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm with more than 6,500 lawyers in 50 countries and offices in more than 125 cities. He advises the firm’s world-class Public Policy and Regulation practice. He is also a Senior Scientist at Gallup.

From May 2011 to May 2012, Newt Gingrich was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, winning the South Carolina and the Georgia primaries. The campaign was especially notable for its innovative policy agenda, its effort to bring new coalitions into the Republican fold, and for Newt’s debate performances. His $2.50 a gallon energy plan set off a nationwide discussion about the use of America’s energy resources.
But there is a lot more to Newt Gingrich than these remarkable achievements. As an author, Newt has published twenty-nine books including 14 fiction and nonfiction New York Times best-sellers.
Non-fiction books include his latest, Breakout, in addition to A Nation Like No Other, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, To Save America, Rediscovering God in America, 5 Principles for a Successful Life, Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less, Real Change, A Contract with the Earth, Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America, To Renew America, Lessons Learned the Hard Way, Saving Lives & Saving Money, Window of Opportunity, and The Art of Transformation. He is also the author of a series of historical fiction books including, Gettysburg, Grant Comes East, Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant the Final Victory, 1945, Pearl Harbor, Days of Infamy, To Make Men Free, To Try Men’s Souls, Valley Forge, and Victory at Yorktown. These novels are active history studies in the lessons of warfare based on fictional accounts of historical wartime battles and their aftermaths. His latest novel, Treason, is the sequel to Duplicity and is a thriller of Washington intrigue and international terrorism.

Newt and his wife, Callista, host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include The First American, Divine Mercy: The Canonization of John Paul II, A City Upon A Hill, America at Risk, Nine Days That Changed The World, Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous with Destiny, Rediscovering God in America, Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage, and We Have the Power.

In his post-Speaker role, Newt has become one of the most highly sought-after public speakers, accepting invitations to speak before prestigious organizations throughout the world. Because of his own unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Newt is able to share unique and unparalleled insights on a wide range of topics. His audiences find him to be not only educational but also inspirational. For more information about Newt’s speaking engagements, please visit the Worldwide Speakers Group.

Widely recognized for his commitment to a better system of health for all Americans, his leadership in the U.S. Congress helped save Medicare from bankruptcy, prompted FDA reform to help the seriously ill and initiated a new focus on research, prevention, and wellness. His contributions have been so great that the American Diabetes Association awarded him their highest non-medical award and the March of Dimes named him their 1995 Citizen of the Year.
To foster a modern health system that provide

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a pity I have come into this trilogy with the second volume but never mind for it stands alone as it covers the six-week period when General Robert E. Lee's troops marched on Washington D.C., beginning just 13 days after he had suffered defeat at Gettysburg.

President Abraham Lincoln, despite the Gettysburg defeat, is in the White House defiant that his pledge to preserve the Union would be upheld at all costs. He has his Generals around him and has appointed Ulysses S. Grant as commander of all Union forces. Grant had been told that he had to stop his drinking to make good in the post and was told to make his way east with his soldiers, many of whom were veterans from Mississippi, to confront and defeat Bobbie Lee.

The action cuts seamlessly between the Confederate forces, the Union forces, Lincoln and his entourage and even a brief interlude in France where Napoleon III was preparing to join the fight in his attempt to secure his holdings in such as Mexico. In a speculative view of history the novel demonstrates the horrors of American fighting American with the characters very vivid and the action at times frightening.

We get the feel for such officers as Stuart, Longstreet, Haupt, Beauregard and Sickles, who disastrously loses a leg which is described in graphic detail, and this part of the story ends with the battle at Gunpowder Falls where fortunes fluctuated; Lee's men looked as though they were breaking through only for the Union to repulse them and send them packing. The same thing had previously happened when Lee attempted to move into Washington D.C..

It is an exciting tale and gives a vivid portrayal of a period of this tremendous war; at this stage battle may have been won but the Civil War was far from over.

[Jim Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all fairness I have to start this review with a spoiler alert. If you haven’t read the preceeding book by these authors (‘Gettysburg‘) then I strongly urge you to so, since ‘Grant Comes East‘ picks up more or less where ‘Gettysburg’ stops. Still here? OK – my first comment on this book is how well the authors have managed the departure from ‘our’ timeline and the skill with which they use the best rules of counterfactual history to drive the plot. In ‘Gettysburg’, Lee comments that the Army of Northern Virginia has one good fight left in it and I soon found myself wondering in the aftermath of the Battle of Union Mills if was all downhill from here on. The Army of the Potomac is wrecked – only one corps of it has escaped more or less intact and the remainder has routed towards Washington. Rioting in New York against the draft is spiralling out of control. Despite all that, the Union hasn’t folded up – mostly because Lincoln has decided it isn’t going to.

General Grant, fresh from his capture of Vickburg, is bringing his army east. Lincoln has put him in charge of ending the war and Grant, in his careful methodical fashion is determined to do exactly that. Gingrich and Forstchen also make it clear exactly where the real strength of the Union lies – its economic power. Within weeks of Union Mills, Union railroad boss Herman Haupt can have the equipment for a new army made and stockpiled. Lee’s ragged veterans can’t access that sort of logistical muscle and deep down the leaders of the Confederacy know it. The invasion of the North was a gamble, one which must now be played out to the bitter end.

What makes this book such an enthralling read is that the authors understand how to write good counterfactual history. People make choices based on the range of options that were open to them at the time and this makes for realistic character development. There is no deus ex machina to give the Confederacy a deadly new advantage and they remain on the back foot logistically, just as they did in reality. In the end, Lee is faced with a difficult choice. Confederate President Jefferson Davis has sent General Beauregard’s corps north to bolster Lee’s men. Should Lee use them to capture lightly-defended Baltimore (thereby removing Maryland from the war)? Or ought he to accept that that is simply putting off the inevitable end game – an assault on Washington?

Either way, time is running out.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newt Gingrich continues his story of a Confederate victory, as Lee is piling up battle field victories, Lincoln is pledging never to leave Washington DC as the capitol of the Union.

Not bad, but being from California, I'm not as obsessed with the Civil War as some.

[Bernie Charbonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel, the second in the “Gettysburg” trilogy by the author combination of Gingrich & Forstchen, is a great read! I would strongly recommend that you read the first novel in the series before diving into this book. It can be read on it’s own but you will benefit greatly by reading this series in order. This series being a speculative alternate history of the events that happened in the summer of 1863 during the American Civil War will make much more sense if read with the first novel. Now, with that said, this novel was just as engrossing as the first. How the authors have presented this alt-hist is by far for me the magic in these novels. So far the battles and skirmishes are formulated with such believable prose that you would think that is how the true events of that time period occurred. I have the next book in hand and cannot wait to see how this duo will have two of the most fascinating characters in American history face each other..

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this volume up as a life-long student of Civil War history. Having read approximately half, I am disillusioned (I knew that Grant came East after Shiloh, Tnn, to become supreme commander, and this had nothing to do with that. In this book I found so much fact to weed out that it became a chore.
I am concerned that alternative history like this might supplant the truth (Lee escaped to VA with a destroyed army. Lincoln was livid at Meade for not pursuing to finish him off. Someone attacked Washington; was Lee strong enough, or is this account accurate? Can we know for sure? I don't know, and I spend too much time away from the story trying to find out. I have been reluctant to return; real history is Far more fascinating.The events of the final chapters were so convincingly real that this was hard to put down. This is still a 5 - star book and too convincing. I want to go back to real history to expunge this one.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with "Gettysburg", Gingrich and Forstchen have produced a compelling work of historical fiction that brings these battles to life for the reader. It captures the personalities of the political and military leaders behind this bloodiest of American wars, and paints them with greater nuance and context, as well as opening to the reader the fact that the catalysts for the war were not so black and white as we like to think now.

This is especially important to understand today. As I write this, the violent demonstrations and counter-demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia, are only a few weeks in the past. Reprehensible white supremacists got a permit to protest the removal of Confederate hero, Commanding General Robert E. Lee., who they identify with their cause. The Antifa (anti-fascists) protestors engage in violence against the white supremacists, demanding the removal of the statue of Lee, while failing to appreciate the irony that their actions in trying to whitewash history are nearly identical to the fascist tactics of 1930's Germany and Italy.

And neither side seems to comprehend the truth behind the towering figures of this era. Lee, despised by the Left as a symbol of oppression and slavery, was actually opposed to both slavery and secession, and was asked, before the commencement of hostilities, to lead the Union army. He struggled with the decision, ultimately choosing to fight with the Confederacy, not because he supported slavery or secession, but because he refused to take up arms and fight his family and neighbors, and because he did not believe that the Constitution gave the federal government the right to compel states to remain in the Union against their will. He certainly did not believe that the Constitution gave the federal government the power to compel them under force of arms to remain.

Stories are numerous of Lee's abhorrence of the war, his desire for overwhelming victory to end it quickly, his Christian compassion for defeated Union soldiers, and ultimately his efforts after the war to encourage reconciliation.

Lincoln, on the other hand, was known as the Great Emancipator, yet he once wrote that if he could end the war and maintain the Union without freeing a single slave, he would. He wanted freed slaves sent back to Africa to be colonized, believing it would be very difficult for the races to coexist. Many erroneously believe that the Emancipation Proclamation, which came in the third year of the war, freed all slaves, but in reality it freed ONLY those slaves held in bondage in the "rebel" states. Yes, there were slave holders in the Northern states as well, and their slaves remained their property. That is not to say that Lincoln was not a good man; he was. But he was also a man of that era, and held the same views as many of that time. His actions in preserving the Union were also of dubious constitutional merit in certain respects.

Ulysses S. Grant was a drunk who mastered his vice in order to achieve victory for the Union. Sickles was arrogant and had delusions of grandeur, costing his army thousands of deaths when Lee preyed on his vanity and pride and lured him into a bloody trap. The same pride which lost him a leg in battle to cannon fire was the same pride that caused him to murder his wife's lover a few years before (he was acquitted after using the temporary insanity defense, the first time it had been used). Lee was a brilliant military tactician who hated war but consistently out-maneuvered and decimated Union generals, and by all accounts would have won the war had not the Union had far superior numerical advantages in men, and the means of producing war materiel. Lee was deeply respected by soldiers and leaders on both sides.

"Grant Comes East", as a companion to "Gettysburg", reminds the reader that history is compromised of the stories of imperfect men and women. It reminds us that our heroes are not without their vices, and our "villains" not without their virtues. History is never as cut-and-dry as we make it out to be in hindsight. It is not often the "good guys" against the "bad guys", but rather competing factions with varying levels of good and bad.

We do a great disservice when we do not portray our history honestly, and we damage our capacity to gain wisdom when we destroy or manipulate the records of our past.

This book helps us remember, and for that we should be grateful.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second volume in the alternative history of Gettysburg. This book picks up the narrative where the first volume finished. The situation was that the Army of the Potomac had been destroyed as an effective force by the Army of Northern Virginia. Grant had captured Vicksburg and had been ordered east to confront the ANV, and Lincoln had resolved to continue the struggle. This second volume is about Lincoln's resolve more than anything.

Lee has won a stunning victory in Maryland. The question arose of what he was going to do with it? Under pressure from Richmond, he was ordered to assault the protective forts surrounding Washington DC. This was a bit of a disaster. The Union forces were well dug in, well supplied, and well armed. Lee loses the best part of a Corps for very little gain. He disengages from Washington and turns his attention to Baltimore. That is more easily captured, owing to a large degree of sympathy with the southern cause.

Here the book takes a fanciful turn. Whilst in possession of Baltimore, the Confederate government persuades Maryland to secede from the Union and to become a Confederate state. This plot device made me feel a bit uncomfortable because it felt that the one didn't directly follow the other. Even the book accepts that society in Baltimore was deeply divided on the issue. I felt that the secession of Maryland occurred too easily.

In the meantime, what of the Union? Much was made of the resolve of Lincoln in the face of those in his Cabinet who wanted to come to terms with Richmond. With this stiffened resolve, the Army of the Potomac reforms under Sickles. They are drawn out across the Susquehanna and lured into a Confederate trap at Gunpowder Falls. Once again, they are destroyed.

Meanwhile, Grant is forming his army, centred on Harrisburg. It takes some time for him to gather his troops and supplies, some of which need to be shipped east from the Mississippi, some of which need to be freshly manufactured further north. An interesting aspect of the narrative is the part played by the railroads in shipping troops and supplies. This had a very authentic feel to it.

The book comes to a conclusion as Lee realises that he is unable to take Washington and that he must defeat Grant in the field. It ends as the Army of the Susquehanna starts its march to engage with Lee. The scene is set for the third volume.

I quite enjoyed reading this volume. It is well written and has a nice pace to it. However, the storyline started to become a little more reflective of wishful thinking rather than reasoned analysis, and that took the edge off the narrative for me. The book is a poor stand alone read. It only makes sense to read this after the first volume, so it really is one for the enthusiasts.

[George Siehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gingrich and Forstchen writing team has, in Grant Comes East, extended an exciting scenario of an alternative American Civil War. This work of fiction draws on the real life leaders of the war, some compelling created persons, and the military strategy and tactics of the era. The story seems so real that one sometimes thinks of visiting the places depicted, only to remember that this detail never happened. Other volumes in the trilogy are Gettysburg (vol. 1) and Never Call retreat (vol. 3).

The battle scenes are mesmerizing, the segments providing context by exploring moral and political aspects of the real war are less compelling, but informing, nonetheless, albeit the dialogs are works of fiction. For those put off by political concerns with Mr. Gingrich, just imagine that the writer of this series was Michael Shaara, author of the Civil War classic work of historical fiction, Killer Angels.

Highly recommended for any reader, but especially for fans of American or military history.

[Deborah Gard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in a series of 3 books looking at the end of the civil war. It is well written, captivating me right from the beginning. This book literally covers only a few months, taking the reader through President Lincoln's thought process for bringing General Grant east with a view towards ending the war; showing the human side of Generals Grant, Lee and many of their subordinates before, during and after some of the battles and the planning of the same; some heartfelt discusses regarding both sides of the slavery issue at the time; and some of the politics surrounding the issue of slavery vs. freedom, including the political interference of the Secretary of State with the Army and the difficulty with initiating a draft in the North. I'm looking forward to the next edition.

[Matt Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of gaping peaks & bellowing lows. The Battle for Washington & Gunpowder River were works of alternative fictional art, then the counter movements & recovery between battles were less entertaining. Unless you know most of the union/confederate generals by name, it’s hard to understand what division being talked about. I did like how the expiration of battle plans & strategies were explained instead of just told, this made you feel as if you were actually in the room where the fate of thousands were decided. A chapter devoted to the feelings within a colored regiment was also interesting. Not as great as the first book but worth a read if you like alternative history!

[Lee Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2 of the Civil War series continues with Lee moving his troops from Gettysburg to Baltimore.

A bit torturous as Grant is not the focus of the book that bears his name. Mostly he is a background character, establishing his army for the final battles while Dan Sickles takes center stage.

A lot of political issues and conversations in this book, necessary, I suppose, but doing much to slow down the plot.

Interesting continuation of volume 1 and definitely looking for the conclusion in volume 3.

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Quality novel and middle part of a trilogy about an alternate history U.S. Civil War. The authors do this telling very well and it has the feel, odors and is just like real history. Characterizations are well done, which is saying a lot for the many known historical people. Highly recommended. If you are prejudice against Newt for his Republican politics in real life from years ago, get over it and enjoy this fictional book that includes some 1860s politics but is mostly a military war story.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll repeat what I said in my review of "Gettysburg", the battle scenes depicted are horrific in nature and well written. The research in putting together an alternate history like this thorough and well done. One of those books where you can almost see, hear, taste and smell what's going on. And life & death given to and taken away from historical personalities you may be familiar with. Or may not be familiar with.

[Jeffrey McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is becoming one of my favorite series. In this second installment of the great "What If" of the Civil War, the authors follow through with the scenario premise of a possible result if Lee would have won at Gettysburg. Gripping from page one, Grant Comes East concludes with the destruction of the Army of the Potomac and the plot set for one final great showdown between Grant and Lee to end the war. I can't wait to read book three.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never appreciated Ulysses S. Grant until I read this book. Gingrich humanizes him and debunks myths that have surrounded his legacy. His pathway to the presidency was one of struggle, survival, and ultimately victory, but he never lost site of where he came from and he had tremendous respect for even his greatest rivals before, during, and after the Civil War.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another real exciting book that looks at what might have happened after the Battle of Gettysburg. The only hard part at time was keeping track of some of the names but overall I totally enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the final book in the series.

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, the 2nd book in the series, is much improved over the 1st. The characters are so much better written this time around, and although the action scenes carry the book the character development really enhance the story.

[Jennifer Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not as good as the Revolutionary War series. Too many descriptions of war battles. They are all the same so it gets monotonous. Aim, Fire lots of casualties and death...every single time.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic second book in the alternate Gettysburg trilogy.

[Greg Koski · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

Great book, realistic like you’re there, a page turner, so many war book battles get repetitive but not Newt, bye it

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done. I enjoy the 'What if's' and the notion that outcomes often "turn on a dime'.

[Nicky Billou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Gmgrich and Forstchen deliver a very readable and exciting Civil War Yarn!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in an excellent trilogy about what could have been.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story. Continuing from where the last novel left off is the calling upon Lt.Gen. Ulysses S. Grant to save the day. From here on in Newt Gingrich expands on what might have happened if the Confederacy had won what was originally the Union victory at Gettysburg.

The Confederate victory at Union Mills grants the Army of Northern Virginia the confidence to attack Washington, D.C. The battle for Washington was very good but the author paints a realistic picture in that the defenses of the capital are too strong.

But with the confederacy stymied the plan goes to an even more remarkable plan. Invade the city of Baltimore and claim the state of Maryland as the 12th Confederate state. This was very well done and was interesting considering the controversy around Maryland's neutrality as well as the federal government's violation of the Constitution. I liked the chaos rampant at first but I respected how it eventually settled.

In the end, the Confederacy is resupplied and better equipped than it had ever been before. I especially like a chapter that begins with a review that shows the might and power of the Confederate Army. Enjoying fresh meat, bread, and canned milk, no longer the starving army it had been for the past two years and dressed in proper grey uniforms, not the butternut uniforms.

I like how not only is the Confederate President Jefferson Davis involved in the story but also the Confederate Secretary of State Judah Benjamin. Particularly in a scene where Robert E. Lee and Benjamin's rabbi discuss the necessity of freeing the slaves to win.

The Union perspective is interesting because it goes to show that even in defeat the Army isn't finished but yet isn't done squabbling over who is in charge. Many forget that Lincoln's Secretary of War was an intrusive presence and was barely tolerated by Lincoln. Some might believe he should have been removed by Lincoln before things got worse. What he does in the previous novel and this novel justifies him being removed. Don't get me started on Sickles. The guy was a capable fighter but was arrogant and viciously ambitious. It was like Generals Pope and Hooker all-in-one.

The story concludes with a fantastic battle fought in Gunpowder Falls that is just as well done as Washington was depicted.

Very enjoyable. B+

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a typical book for the middle book of the trilogy. It developed the strategies of the protagonists as the story continued to develop, all heading for the final battle between the two adversaries. Much like "the Empire Strikes Back" in the original Star Wars trilogy. In this installment Grant has taken over command for the Armies of the Union. He has come to Pennsylvania from Mississippi to build a second army in the East, to be called the Army of the Susquehanna. Meanwhile, General Dan Sickles will take over command of the badly beaten Army of the Potomac. As Grant focuses the industrial might of the North in building his army, Lee continues to out maneuver the Union Commanders. During this build up Lee begins to think on the morality of the South's cause. He is learning that the North simply has more of everything and that he must destroy the Northern Armies and Lincoln's will to fight him. Through a prominent Southern Official Lee meets a Rabbi that challenges Lee's belief's about slavery and if the South can ever win the war. He enlightens Lee to the political realities of the world the Confederate President Davis refuses to believe. Facts such as France's uselessness should they decide to enter the war and the fact that England will never join a cause that supports slavery, and they most likely would let the North and South beat each up regardless because a weakened United States only benefits England. Lee considers it his duty to fight on and serve his government. He devises a strategy much like Napoleon's at Austerlitz to lure Sickles and the Army of the Potomac out into the open where he can destroy it before Grant can aid him. He plays General Sickles like a violin coercing him out into and open battle before Baltimore completing the destruction of the Army of the Potomac that had begun at Union Mills (in the first book). It was at a high cost, but Lee now figures that Grant must move and come to him. Come and confront Lee and protect the panicked city of Washington D.C. or does he?

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this alternative history series for the Civil War. In the first book, Lee used different tactics at Gettysburg, and was able to get a major win. In this book, at attack on Washington D.C. fails, forcing Lee to change plans. His army manages to take Baltimore, and then has to fight a Union army under Sickles.

This is an incredibly good book, showing the horror of war, sparing nothing in describing the injuries happening both to humans and to animals. It also takes a good deal of time addressing the issue of slavery, and how former slaves joined the Union army and fought bravely against the Rebels.

It also shows how different generals would get it into their heads that they knew just what to do, despite being told by their superior to do something else, and the consequences of them doing that.

Excellent book.

[Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. This book has the narrowest bottom margin of any book I have read. On some pages it is even less than a single line. The good thing is the ink is of high enough quality to not have to worry about the lack of a clean place to place your thumbs.

2. I was a little worried at first about reading alternative historic fiction, but that didn't turn out to be a problem. Quite a bit of what I know about history comes from well written historical fiction, so I can imagine myself thinking of some of these supposed battles in the future and getting a little confused, but I think it will prove to be easily separated.

3. The story did get me thinking a lot about war, and how little about it I understand.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 2 of the trilogy. A lot more politics and discussions in this story compared to the first. Far less action, although there are some important battles.

The Army of the Potomac is decimated at the end of the first book. Lincoln brings Grant in from the western front, to take total control of the army and reorganize after the decisive defeats in Pennsylvania. But, Grant has enemies in Washington and in the Union Army.

Meanwhile Lee, after his devastating victory, is pressed by Jefferson Davis to move on to Washington and attack the city. I won't go any farther so as not to spoil it, but at the end, you will be immediately ready to read the final book.

[CV Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Continuation of Gettysburg, this novel delves into the politics and intrigue on both sides of the war. Grant has enemies, Lee has pressures, and this seemingly outweighs the events on the fields of battle.

I think it was competently written, but even more so than the first, this book drops into the stereotypes of valorous soldiers and altruistic generals. The horrors of war are but asides to the glamour of the cause - written by those who have experienced neither. It's a fan-boy piece about the civil war.

[Ron Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a great "what if" book that can totally confuse you about the real outcome of the Civil War..actually causes me to read further about the actual Civil War..This one basically has Washington isolated and hunkered down, about to be under siege by Lee and the Confederate army. Grant has come with his "Western" Union forces from Mississippi to take over the Union Army and the all but destroyed Army of the Potomac..The "result" is in the last book of this series, " Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant- The Final Victory".