War So Terrible: Sherman And Atlanta

by James Lee McDonough, James Pickett Jones

The Atlanta campaign was one of the Civil War's most significant endeavors. In War So Terrible authors James Lee McDonough and James Pickett Jones have written an extensive, highly readable new history, focusing our attention on the pivotal and fascinating events that led tot he downfall of the "Gate City" and eventually to the Confederacy itself. Throughout, their narrative is evenhanded in its view of the participants of both sides, yet never fails to look to the final outcome as the consequence of all. An Epilogue offers some intriguing insights into the writing of Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell and into the research she undertook in her version of the event that turned the tides of one of the most devastating wars yet fought by man.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Civil War Western Theater, Nonfiction, Atlanta Campaign

385 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

James Lee McDonough is professor of history at Auburn University.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the campaign with shrewd and fair analysis, but the lack of notes and a few factual errors prevent this from being a classic.

[Pete Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect book to move you through all the major events of the Atlanta campaign at a fairly quick clip. The book is well-written and provides an entertaining narrative. It's definitely a good place to start learning more about this critical juncture of the Civil War.

However, it is very light on details of the major engagements, and take some leaps of logic around certain events that I found a bit factually questionable. Will need to find some other resources to dig deeper on this campaign.