Customer Reviews:
What do expect from Government workers ...?.......2007-04-27
There are several aspects of this text which tempted promise; however upon reading, it is badly flawed, and wanting of massive corrections.
While the Dorn Report may be the last "official" US government document joining those already on the shelve, it will clearly not be the "final" word. As to the text being "revealing" - there it is on the mark; it reveals amply that the authors lack a fundamental knowledge of Pearl Harbor. Perhaps a tutorial beginning with the Minority Report and the Keefe Addition to the Majority Report of the Joint Congressional Hearings might help the authors.
An interesting Forward by Goldstein (known as having a long-term affiliation with Prange and Associates) is notable, especially as his words indicate he learned the lessons from the many errors in "At Dawn We Slept." (aka ADWS). The Forward's last sentence is: "It may not change many people's minds, but unless further information comes to light, it provides the last word upon the subject." - the operative words here are " unless further information comes to light, ..." Well, duh! Yes, but even now numerous identified documents remain classified, and it is a sure bet that more information will come out. This last sentence is also a separate universe far away from the now extremely dated ADWS Appendix essay "Revisionists Revisited" and its self-proclaimed excellence in historical scholarship "... including all publications released up to May 1, 1981." One wonders if Martinez knows this is not true? Goldstein does - hence his earlier lessons. Seems the Briggs' materials (SRH-051), which entered the archives in 1979, is not mentioned, for example.
Further, on page 75, we have: " ...Even a cursory examination of this claim, however, shows that it is nonsense. First, as a former assistant secretary of the Navy, Roosevelt loved the naval service. It is impossible to believe ... Second, ... decrypted radio traffic. ... then Kimmel and Short would need to be in on the consrpiracy to ensure that U.S. forces were not sufficiently alert to detect the Japanese carriers."
It is very often remarked that FDR just loved the Navy. So heart-felt was FDR's affection that Stark, in a memorandum written 11 February 1941, captures its precisely: " ... Particularly do I recall your remark in a previous conference where Mr. Hull suggested this and the question arose as to getting them out and your 100% reply, from my standpoint, was that you (sic "you" here is FDR) might not mind losing one or two cruisers (we have 2 out there now), but that you did not want to take a chance on losing 5 or 6. ..." (Beard's "President Roosevelt and the Coming of the War 1941 - Appearances and Realities" circa 1948, page 242) Yes, a true demonstration of love ... and a purposeful sacrifice of warships and their crews. And, lest we forget, getting shot at in the Atlantic ... really tough FDR love.
And, yes, decrypted radio traffic would be good to have. But, even today in 2007, why are detailed RDF (radio direction finder) logs of the period still classified? Also, why are "code movement" detail reports on identified vessels of the Striking Force, especially those of 28 November 1941 for Akagi, still classified? And as to Kimmel and Short ... that Knox "midnight of 6 December 1941" Washington message to Kimmel has gone "walk about" ... where is it? Professional historians want to know - well, some do!
Further, on page 76, " ... In sum, the conspiracy theory is simply illogical." Must be that "protect thy rice bowl" school of logic. Are the authors not au fait with the 29 December 1941 PURPLE message which in fact says if Japan attacks America, Germany will, of course join in?
Still further on, page 77 has "a" tale - a false tale - of "Seaman Z" - aka Robert D. Ogg. Seems the authors were not motivated enough to read SRH-255. Had they, it would have been obvious that Ogg plotted locations given to him, he was not a radio intercept operator. Also, to note in SRH-255, there are snippets of the US Navy "having successes" in reading pre-Pearl Harbor JN-25 traffic.
The display of so many factual errors, and there are many more, is dis-heartening, particularly with the authors' "proud" association with the Dorn Report and its "final" standing. It is simply too shameful.
But, on a positive note, starting on page 123, Appendix C: "A Critical Analysis of the Report by the Department of Defense Dated December 1, 1995, Regarding Advancement of Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and Lieutenant General Walter C. Short on the Retired List" by VADM David C. Richardson, USN (retired) offers another perspective. (No relation to "Jo" Richardson of "On the Treadmill" fame)
Sad, an opportunity to move forward ... what a waste.
Neither Revealing Nor Final.......2006-12-16
Kimmel, Short, and Pearl Harbor, The Final Report Revealed, by Army attorney Fred Borch, and Park Ranger Daniel Martinez, purports to be revealing and final. It is neither, because it suffers the same shortcoming as the Dorn Report itself, which it annotates. While some of the historian promoters on the book's dustcover, Messrs Goldstein, Love, Stillwell, and Polmar do have military experience--none of the authors has any operational military experience, nor do they defer to flag officers who held high command at sea, that do. In an apparent effort to offer some balance of opinion, a counterpoint paper by former COMSIXTHFLT (Commander Sixth Fleet), and D/CINCPAC (Deputy Commander in Chief Pacific) Vice Admiral David Richardson is added as an appendix, but it is ignored.
The issue is this: Should Rear Admiral Kimmel and Major General Short, the commanders at Pearl Harbor during the attack, continue to be punitively excluded by the Navy and by the Army as the only flag and general officers, otherwise qualified, not to receive the benefit of the Officer Personnel Act of 1947--advancement to their highest temporary ranks held in World War II of admiral, and lieutenant general, respectively? The authors and dustcover promoters, except Mr. Stillwell (page 105), say yes. Giants of World War II, Nimitz, Halsey, Spruance, Kinkaid, and Burke say no. Admiral Richardson drives the point home in his counterpoint appendix. In fact, in writing, the United States Congress, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, the Naval Academy Alumni Association, the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, six former Chiefs of Naval Operations, two former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, one former Director of Central Intelligence, thirty-three four-star admirals (seven already mentioned), and the official historian of naval operations in World War II say no.
To the authors' credit the false allegation that Admiral Kimmel's "most grievous failure," was that he knew of and ignored advice regarding the direction and extent to which he should have ordered long-range air reconnaissance prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor is not made, as it was so recklessly made by the book's Foreword writer in 1981 in At Dawn We Slept, page 733, and again in 1986 in Pearl Harbor, The Verdict of History, page 441, in a chapter even titled, His [Admiral Kimmel's] Most Grievous Failure (see "Reopen the Kimmel Case," by Michael Gannon, Naval Institute of Proceedings, December 1994). Less credit is due the authors for styling At Dawn We Slept as, "acknowledged by professional historians as the best single-volume history of Pearl Harbor." How can that be while still containing this most grievous error, which has never been acknowledged, let alone corrected, by its authors? Perhaps the most-dangerous-sector myth that Admiral Nimitz tried so hard to kill in 1942 is finally dead--notwithstanding an effort to resurrect it by another contributing dustcover historian, Mr. Polmar, in his latest book.
The authors, page12, inaccurately list the date and the attendees at the April 27, 1995 Thurmond Hearing, page 12. I, and others are left out, but see Admiral Richardson's appendix, page 124, for an accurate list and date (unfortunately, this appendix is not indexed). These errors are not of much moment until the authors state that, "Unfortunately for the Navy, [the General Counsel of the Navy] Steve Honigman had been too strident and combative in the meeting. Thurmond was now more convinced than ever that the Navy could not be fair." Actually Honigman was worse than strident. As the chief gatherer of facts for the attending Secretary of the Navy and the Deputy Secretary of Defense he was wrong on a key fact as he read what he styled "the official position of the Navy today" to Chairman Thurmond and all assembled. With great certainty he argued against Kimmel stating that Kimmel had been allowed to call and to cross-examine witnesses before the Joint Congressional Committee, which is flat wrong as I pointed out to Mr. Honigman in turn. The fact of the matter is that only one of the ten tribunals that investigated the attack accorded Admiral Kimmel the opportunity to call and to cross-examine witnesses, the Naval Court of Inquiry. Neither the Dorn Report, nor the authors mentioned this fact, let alone gave it any weight. What did the Naval Court of Inquiry find? You will not find out in the Dorn Report, or from the authors' annotations.
1. They found that there was not a scintilla of evidence to support a charge of dereliction of duty against Admiral Kimmel;
2. They found that Admiral Kimmel committed no errors of judgment;
3. They approved of all of Admiral Kimmel's force dispositions on the basis of information that he was given;
4. The President of the Court, Admiral Murfin, opined that they thought Admiral Kimmel had done everything possible under the circumstances; and finally
5. They severely criticized Admiral Kimmel's only uniformed boss in the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Stark, for not keeping Kimmel properly informed.
The authors state, page 43, that "the [Naval] Court. . . concluded that the evidence was insufficient to warrant court-martial of Admiral Kimmel. . . . However, the evidence strongly suggested 'errors of judgment'." I challenge the authors, the dustcover historians, or anyone else to cite an example of where the Naval Court of Inquiry suggested any error of judgment by Admiral Kimmel.
The authors mention, page 4, that in 1988 then Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Trost declined to support Rear Admiral Kimmel's advancement to four-star rank stating that "there is a vast difference between a degree of fault which does not warrant a punitive action and a level of performance which would warrant bestowal of a privilege," page 38. The authors fail to mention that Admiral Trost's 1988 opinion was prompted by flawed research from his Director of Naval History who relied on Mr. Goldstein's previously described most grievous error. Nor do the authors mention that, six years later the Kimmel Family finally gained access to the Director of Naval History's flawed memorandum, and pointed the errors out to Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Trost, who then honorably wrote to Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton on October 4, 1994, withdrawing his memorandum to Secretary Webb, dated January 19, 1988, and asked that the case of Admiral Kimmel be reopened. "I believe such action is owed to the Admiral," he wrote, "to his sons, and to the Navy. No mistake should be allowed to stand in this sensitive matter, and I personally disavow my unwitting support of one (see "Reopen the Kimmel Case," page 56)." Today Admiral Trost supports Rear Admiral Kimmel's advancement as does former Navy Secretary James Webb.
The authors state, page 83, that, "it is important to remember that no adverse action of any kind was ever taken against Kimmel or Short." But see the authors' bracketed addition to General Brooks' description on General Short's relief in time of war, page 9, "General Brooks viewed this relief as 'sufficient [adverse] action against him.'" The Dorn Report cover letter, with the authors' apparent approval, page 118, stated that, "The official treatment of Admiral Kimmel and General Short was substantially temperate." General Frank of the Army Pearl Harbor Board (APHB) said that, "General Short had received a soldier's greatest punishment, relief from his command, and retirement in time of war (Pearl Harbor Story, by General Henry Russell {also of the APHB}, page 160)." Recall that similar and less public adverse action against the commanding officer of the USS Indianapolis resulted in his 1968 suicide.
The authors report, pages 36 and 37, that, "There is little in the record to indicate why those decisions [not to advance Kimmel and Short] were reached. . . .Presumably decisions not to advance Admiral Kimmel and General Short were based on review of their performance at Pearl Harbor." The authors point out that General Gerow was a member of a board that reviewed such matters. Whether or not General Gerow had a hand in reviewing advancement for Short is not revealed. Recall that the famous November 27th War Warning Message, which did not do the job either in the Philippines, or in Hawaii for whatever reason, was drafted by General Gerow, and should have given him sufficient reason to recuse himself from any advancement review consideration of Short.
The authors take exception to the Dorn Report in only one instance, page 66. The Dorn Report said that, "Admiral Kimmel and General Short did not get tactical warning." (Indeed, the Dorn Report goes so far as to argue that Admiral Kimmel was not entitled to tactical information from Washington, only strategic information, and that Admiral Kimmel committed error by relying on Washington for tactical information.) The authors say, "The Dorn Report is incorrect on this point," because Admiral Kimmel received tactical warning when the USS Ward attacked a submarine at about 6:40 a.m. The authors fail to mention that the only reason the Ward attacked the submarine was because Kimmel countermanded CNO Stark's standing order not to attack submarine contacts around Hawaii--see Admiral Kimmel's Story, pages 74-77 for details (an excellent copy can be found at this link: http://www.rooseveltmyth.com/KimmelStory/ ). Should Admiral Kimmel be criticized, or praised for firing the first shot?
The Dorn Report mentioned that Admiral Kimmel had received a report on December 2, 1941 that the Japanese aircraft carriers could not be located. The authors infer much from this, page 54, but, like the Dorn Report, do not mention that that situation was normal. As the Memorandum for the Roberts Commission from Lieutenant Commander E. T. Layton, Fleet Intelligence Officer Pacific Fleet, dated January 5, 1942, 17PHA2486, clearly stated, the failure to identify Japanese carrier traffic, on and after December first when the call signs changed, was not an unusual condition. During the six months preceding Pearl Harbor, there existed a total of one hundred and thirty-four days--in twelve separate periods, each ranging from nine to twenty-two days--when the location of the Japanese carriers from radio traffic analysis was uncertain. That was 74% of the time.
The vast majority of damage at Pearl Harbor was inflicted by air-dropped torpedoes in shallow water. The prevailing wisdom of the day was that ships in Pearl Harbor were immune from such shallow-water attack by air. The Dorn Report took Kimmel to task for not requesting torpedo nets, but neither the Dorn Report nor the authors made mention of Admiral King's endorsement to the Naval Court of Inquiry, that "the decision not to install torpedo baffles appears to have been made by the Navy Department [in Washington, DC]." Furthermore no mention was made in the Dorn Report, or by the authors, that the Navy Department had a secret report in its files, dated July 15, 1941 from its London Naval attaché that the British had developed the capability to successfully air drop torpedoes in water as shallow as 24 feet. Obviously, this report would have radically changed Kimmel's estimate of the prevailing wisdom, but it was not furnished to Kimmel, or to any of the ten investigations, and was not declassified until 1998.
The authors discuss Henry Clausen's book, Pearl Harbor, Final Judgement, in considerable detail without mentioning that General Marshall's champion--not his critic--Clausen said, "Marshall. . . had caused perjured testimony to be presented to the [Army Pearl Harbor] Board. Marshall had ordered his subordinates to lie to the Army Board, and they had complied (35PHA101, and Pearl Harbor, Final Judgement, pages 193, 201). General Miles, head of Army intelligence, signed an affidavit admitting that he had lied to the APHB, and that Marshall had ordered it (35PHA102). General Gerow, the head of Army war plans also lied to the APHB. Marshall let stand testimony to the Roberts Commission by Admiral Ping Wilkinson, Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence, that, "Care was taken [in Washington] to see that these two officers [Admiral Hart in the Philippines, and Admiral Kimmel in Hawaii] were kept fully advised as to developments. [Admiral Hart and Admiral Kimmel] had available to them the same [MAGIC] information [as we did] here [in Washington]. Admiral Stark, Admiral Turner, General Gerow, and General Miles also acquiesced to Admiral Wilkinson's false testimony. The silence of the authors, the dustcover historians, and the Dorn Report to admitted official perjury disappoints. Admiral Wilkinson killed himself in 1946 by accident or design.
Mr. Polmar recently told an audience at the Naval History Center in Washington, DC that, "[Admiral Kimmel and General Short] were harassed. . .and that was wrong. They were treated poorly, no question of that. And for that I think the Navy, the Army, Congress, the Country owes them an apology."
In 1991 former CNO Arleigh Burke wrote to then Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney at Mr. Cheney's urging and said that:
* "It is my judgment that you should approve this posthumous promotion [of Rear Admiral Kimmel to admiral] and recommend it to the President. . . .
* "not because of the importance to. . .the Kimmel family but because of the importance to the Navy as an institution."
Admiral Kimmel dedicated the remainder of his long life to bringing the facts about Pearl Harbor to the American public. He was remarkably successful, but clearly much still needs to be done.
The book that ends the Pearl Harbor argument.......2006-01-13
Incredibly, more than six decades after malfeasance by the two U.S. commanders in Hawaii caused the United States to be caught flat-footed on December 7, 1941, a tiny handful of observers still argue that Navy Adm. Kimmel and Army Lt. Gen. Short were scapegoats with no responsibility for what happened under their command. There are many ironies to this. Though they bear heavy responsibility for the U.S. casualties and losses at Pearl Harbor, Kimmel and Short were never punished in any way. The Dorn Report of the 1990s that reiterated their responsibility was not necessary and this book was not necessary, because the facts were well known long ago, Still, this is one of the finest books ever about the Pearl Harbor attack, in part because the Dorn Report is so authoritative and in part because authors Borch and Martinez really, really know their stuff.
"Final Report," I Don't Think So.......2005-03-19
I really have only one problem with this book and that's with the sub-title where it's called the "Final Report." I don't think there will ever be a "Final Report" on Pearl Harbor. This is the report of the tenth investigation into what happened. There are too many revisionist historians who want to get their fifteen minutes of fame by writing a new book that will blame Roosevelt, Churchill, Marshall or whoever they pick on.
This book is a report on the so called Dorn Report written under the direction of Edwin Dorn, then Undersecretary of Defense. Note he was not Navy Department or Department of the Army but above both in the Defense Department. He had no particular axe to grind. He was also young enough that he did not know personally any of the people involved.
The conclusion of the report is that there was no conspiracy (in spite of how much we love conspiracies). Kimmel and Short were given warnings, not the detailed tactical information they both said later that they needed. But it was peacetime. These were officers who had prospered under peacetime rules. Kimmel, on the day before the attack said that he didn't believe an attack was possible. Short was a specialist in training, not fighting. He even had the air crew participating in infantry training to be able to stop the invasion of the beeches he expected.
This report was instigated by the families of Short and especially of Kimmel. They would like these Kimmel and Short exonerated. In truth Kimmel and Short made the classic mistake of trying to determine the Japanese intent rather than their capabilities. Then they based their planning on what they believed this intent to be.
Another recent book, also published by the Naval Institute Press, "Days of Lightning, Years of Scorn" by Charles R. Anderson is a fairly balanced biography of Short. Both are worth adding to your collection.
A must read book about Pearl Harbor.......2005-02-16
This book is a must read book if you wanting to learn more about Pearl Harbor. If you know nothing and want a place to start this is the book! I went to Pearl Harbor in 2002 and have read more that 30 books on Pearl Harbor. I wish had started with this book it tells you what you should look for. I believe this book should be read. The reader will have to decide if Kimmel and Short were treated fairly.
Book Description
Includes a listing of Civil War re-enactments!
A comprehensive overview of America's bloodiest war-from the first shots fired at Fort Sumter to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Featuring a clear chronology of major events and detailed explanations of key battles, this second edition includes:
€ Instructions on how to trace Civil War ancestry
€ An in-depth look at the weaponry
€ Coverage of the lesser-known but still pivotal battles
€ An expanded glossary and appendixes, and more
Customer Reviews:
Very Good.......2007-06-28
If you're interested in the Civil War I recommend you read at least two books about it. This book is concise. It can be used as a reference or just read for enjoyment.
Rational Northern Account of Justified Union Victory.......2006-08-19
The author debunks "Southern" myths about the so-called "War Between the States" and correctly attributes the origins of the war to a greedy slave-owning patriarchy that sought to extend slavery to other parts of the US and indeed the rest of the hemisphere.
He clevery refutes the Southern justifications for aggression against the US with damning authority. For example, the issue of "States' Rights" was always a red herring on the part of rapacious and racist slave-owners for the maintenence of brutal and evil slavery.
The fugitive slave law could have been nullified by Northern States on the basis of "States' Rights" but the Southern States always howled about how federal law, IN THIS INSTANCE, had to be maintained.
The author points out that in the South, they only obeyed those laws that suited them.
This book would be a fine antidote to Foote's narrative and somewhat pro-Confederate "The Civil War" series.
"Best Ever Civil War Account".......2006-03-28
This book is a masterpiece. It is put in a great order and makes you feel like you're a part of this historic battle. I would recommend this to any history buff or someone who likes to read true history stories.
The right place to begin for your civil war studies.......2004-04-12
I bought this book because I didnt know anything about the civil war conflict. After reading it I had a basic understanding
about what it was all about. In addition to slavery I found out that it was also between states rights as opposed to centralized government. This book gives a good overview of the causes and results of the Civil War struggle in addition to insights on the personalities,generals and politicians of the time. From the opening shots fires at Fort Sumter to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. This is a great place to start if you want more information on the Civil war.
Complete Idiots Account.......2003-08-08
Very disappointing. This is the usual "virtuous north fighting to free the slave" dribble which considering his excellent works on WWI and the Revolutonary War is uncharacteristically shallow. Perhaps the conflict has become so politicized that only the bravest meet it head on. This is a turkey. Avoid it at all cost.
Book Description
How one man changed a nation.
Abraham Lincoln is arguably our most revered president, and the object of much fascination. Many biographies have been written about him, but this is the first book to tackle his legacy—how Lincoln's policies, not just his conduct during the Civil War, impacted the nation, and what changes to government and politics he is remembered for. Includes a concise biography and information on social and cultural legacies, various Lincoln organizations, further reading, online resources, and more.
-The Lincoln Bicentennial is in 2009, but the Bicentennial Commission has many events planned between now and then
-Foreword by Dr. Allen C. Guelzo, Henry R. Luce Professor of the Civil War Era, Director of Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College, and the only two-time winner of The Lincoln Prize
-The Lincoln Presidential Library is now open in Springfield, Illinois, and the adjoining Lincoln Museum is scheduled to open in 2006
Customer Reviews:
Random facts not helpful for many.......2006-03-11
This "Idiot's guide" seems random adn disjointed. Not worth while to purchase if Lincoln facts in context are your goal.
A Wonderful, Informative Book.......2006-01-26
Even if you think you know all there is to know about Lincoln, this book will contain many revelations. It is way more than a history book. The author thoroughly examines Lincoln's life and analyzes his lasting legacy. I found it very intriguing to learn what a profound effect Lincoln had on the country (and the world) long after his death -- even up to our present times.
This is definitely an engrossing story for readers of all ages.
The Legacy of Lincoln: Still Felt in Today's World.......2005-10-26
Abraham Lincoln lived more than 100 years ago, but his story is still relevant in our modern world. Lincoln didn't have his success handed to him; he had to go out and earn it, and there were plenty of twists and turns along the way. This rags-to-riches story is something we can all learn from and incorporate into our own lives.
The Legacy of Lincoln takes us from Lincoln's humble beginnings in a small cabin in Kentucky to his presidency and tragic end in 1865. So much of what he accomplished is still felt in our society today. All of these had their beginnings in the Lincoln administration: The Homestead Act, Land Grant Colleges, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the transcontinental railroad, the abolishment of slavery, and much more. Here is a man who truly had the best interest of the American people at heart, and he was willing to fight for the rights and freedoms of ALL people -- rights and freedoms we hold so dear today.
The book also provides extra tidbits such as Lincoln quotes and speeches, trivia, anecdotes, and common misconceptions and myths.
Many thanks to author Pamela Oldham for such an insightful look at both the public and private life of Abraham Lincoln. This book is very readable and gives us a wonderful overview of the man whose life still reverberates in our culture today. It's the perfect book for students first learning about Lincoln, as well as adults wishing to learn more.
Average customer rating:
- One Of The Best
- Hey, How 'Bout Them Rebs?
- Made History as Painless as Possible
- A Pleasure to Read
- The Best Book on the Subject
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Confederacy
Stephen J. Lang , and
J. Stephen Lang
Manufacturer: Alpha
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Civil War, 2nd Edition (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
ASIN: 0028643836 |
Customer Reviews:
One Of The Best.......2006-04-02
This book not only dispels most of the myths surrounding The War for Southern Independence (Civil War is actually incorrect) but is also an entertaining read. I highly recommend that those who know nothing but the propaganda put out by the North after the War and what is being taught today as the "truth" is only the victor's side of the story. This book provides an excellent balance for the reader to make up his or her mind and paves the way for more serious reading, such as the books by the Kennedy brothers (no, not John and Robert!).
Learn the truth about slavery, the plight of the middle and lower class Southern farmer and how Sherman (who exhibited sociopathic and sadist personality traits) devastated innocent people and their land so harshly that many areas have still not recovered.
If you want to be a fair-minded person, give this book a go and then question what you have been taught. There is a reason why Southern Generals, especially Lee, are still revered to this day even by their opponents and get a glimpse of the true love of family and soil that Southerners, black and white, possess to this day.
Another rebel yell.....
Hey, How 'Bout Them Rebs?.......2003-01-20
It's about time someone gave us a really good look at Southern civilians during the Civil War, and this book does a better job than anything else I've read. It does look at the battles and the famous leaders, but even better it shows how the war years and afterward affected the common folk. There's also a really good chapter on the life of the average Southern soldier, the thousands of nameless Johnny Rebs. The chapter on the Confederate navy was welcome, and so was a chapter on Southern politics during the war. As a South Carolina boy, I give this a thumbs up and a good hearty Rebel yell too.
Made History as Painless as Possible.......2002-12-30
I am a Civil War re-enactor but admit I don't really like to READ history that much. But I did enjoy this a lot (got it as a Christmas gift) and recommend it. The background about all the politics and social issues leading up to the war was very helpful, gave me a new perspective on the roots of the war and secession. I knew a fair amount about some of the Confederate generals but wasn't too well versed in the politicians, so this book was an education. While I found a few minor errors in the index (not a big deal), the book was overall very thorough and well researched. The little boxed items scattered through the book (the "RebeLingo" items) were amusing and helpful. The author even had a section on us re-enactors, so I give him an extra star just for that!
A Pleasure to Read.......2002-12-09
I admit I only read books for pleasure. If a book bores me, I put it down. This was a pleasure to read, because I think the author knows what holds a reader's interest. Things that could have been really boring, like politics and the slavery issue and international relations, were made to hold my interest. I think this was a case where the material must have been close to the author's heart. I've enjoyed all the books in The Complete Idiots series, all are easy to understand. I hope they will do more historical books like this one on the Confederacy.
The Best Book on the Subject.......2002-11-13
I can't imagine a more pleasant way to learn about the Confederacy, and the Civil War, than this book. The book begins with a section on all the issues leading up to the war, and he gives a broad and fascinating picture of Southern society. In later chapters he presents that society suffering through the privation of the war years. I liked the fact that he concentrates on the civilians just as much as the great military leaders like Lee and Jackson. He also gives some needed attention to the politicians, especially the president Jefferson Davis and the obstructionist vice-president Alex Stephens. The book could use a few more illustrations, but the text is nicely broken up with a lot of "boxed items," like the "RebeLingo" boxes that define terms, and the "Did Y'all Know?" boxes with their trivia tidbits. I guess my favorite chapter was the end, which looks at the "neo-Confederates" of today and why the old South still fascinates people.
Average customer rating:
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The Virgin and the Mousetrap
Chet Raymo
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0670833150 |
Books:
- Leonardo's Notebooks
- Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
- Lincoln's Other White House: The Untold Story of the Man and His Presidency
- Linux Enterprise Cluster: Build a Highly Available Cluster with Commodity Hardware and Free Software
- Lorraine 1944 : Patton Vs Manteuffel (Campaign Series, 75)
- Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 4)
- Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age
- Medieval Sword & Shield: The Combat System of Royal Armouries MS I.33
- Memoir of Hungary, 1944-1948
- Nakajima Ki.43 Hayabusa I-III: In Japanese Army Air Force-RTAF-CAF-IPSF service (Arco-Aircam aviation series)
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