Larry J. Daniel

Found this at a house my daughter is renting in Iuka,MS. Only had a chance to read the first chapter before coming home so ordered a copy and just now finished.

Quite good but frequently bogs down. Also the maps are pretty much worthless for getting a true picture of the size and broken nature of the battlefield. You just can't see more than a couple hundred yards anywhere at Shiloh, fields give way to thickets and forest wherever you look. The Hornet's Nest is dang near impassable. The book really doesn't convey that very well.

Still, glad to have read this. It does a job of dispelling the idea that Grant's forces were completely outclassed on April 6th. Yes, they got severely damaged and were pushed back everywhere, but as their lines contracted they held firm.… (más)

I found this a fairly quick, mostly enjoyable read. The author walked some new ground including setting the early stages, months before the battle.

While his maps were somewhat useful, often the areas he mentioned did not well coordinate with maps as presented. This is not just a failing here, this is a problem with a majority of military history.

Perhaps the best thing I can say about this book is that it did add to my knowledge of the battle of Shiloh, so that made it worth the read.… (más)

A command history of the Army of the Cumberland, from its inception as the Army of the Ohio to the divison of the great Army of the West at Atlanta. Particular emphasis is given to the relationships of the flag-grade officers, displaying Daniel's usual flair for dry criticism. It doesn't seem unfair to me that Daniel wants to remind readers that it took Chickamauga to make the reputation of George Thomas, as before this he was merely another methodical plodder from West Point. This is not to mention that Thomas was lacking the sort of political backing normally needed to ascend to high command in the Civil War.… (más)

I struggled with this book. There are many references from letters and diary written by soldiers of the times. Too many are used and one looses track of the point that was trying to be made. The facts seem to be accurate but sorting them out is tiresome. There are no maps provided and one finds themself trying to look up the locations reference on other sources. I felt that the author was too harsh on General Thomas. He supported Grant's opinion on Thomas about being too defensive and slow on the offensive.… (más)