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A review by dws405
Grant Moves South by Bruce Catton
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this well researched book about General Grant. I was amazed to learn about the organizational problems that he had to deal with...especially with his managers that were over him. You would think that after his stunning victory at Shilo (aka Pittsburgh Landing) that he wouldn't have to deal with the criticism that was poured upon him. In fact, it got so bad that he asked to be relieved of his command and to leave the army.
What it really came down to is that General Grant saw that you had to fight this war to DESTROY the Confederate Army. While his upper management saw this as being a war to control strategic points on a map. His upper management understood the 'old' way of fighting and General Grant understood that the 'old' ways would not win this war. And because of that, he received so much grief.
I also found it interesting that the rumors that he was a hard drinking, drunk of a man, were just that...rumors. Those rumors are still alive today, as I went into reading this book thinking that General Grant was a 'drunk', but a good fighter. In this well researched book, you can see where those rumors started....and what I can say, is that it is all a game of politics and hatred for people that have success. Not much has changed in these many years...well, that is because we are dealing with human nature. And human nature is pretty predictable.
Again...a great book. I really enjoyed it.
What it really came down to is that General Grant saw that you had to fight this war to DESTROY the Confederate Army. While his upper management saw this as being a war to control strategic points on a map. His upper management understood the 'old' way of fighting and General Grant understood that the 'old' ways would not win this war. And because of that, he received so much grief.
I also found it interesting that the rumors that he was a hard drinking, drunk of a man, were just that...rumors. Those rumors are still alive today, as I went into reading this book thinking that General Grant was a 'drunk', but a good fighter. In this well researched book, you can see where those rumors started....and what I can say, is that it is all a game of politics and hatred for people that have success. Not much has changed in these many years...well, that is because we are dealing with human nature. And human nature is pretty predictable.
Again...a great book. I really enjoyed it.