"'Tried by War' by James McPherson OPINIONS?" Topic

Any opinions on this recent book by J. McPherson?

I would buy it based on his name alone. "Battlecry of Freedom" is excellent.

It is a very quick read and well written and I would recommend it. However, it was written for a general audience and is more of an introduction to the problems that Lincoln faced as commander-in-chief rather than a really in-depth analysis and McPherson only partially answers his own question of how Lincoln, who had only the most limited previous military experience, developed into a good cinc.

Thanks guys

I think Lincoln learned from being burned in the Shenandoah campaign by Stonewall to leave the details to the pros. Davis never learned that.

Well in fairness to Davies – he was a pro by the standards of the American Amry. West Point graduate and vetran of the Mexican War.

Davis was never considered a pro by anyone other than himself. He didn't want to go to West Point in the first place, he did poorly while he was there, graduating very low in his class, and was undistinguished while in the Old Army. He had, solely through political connections, the benefit of good PR coming out of the Mexican War.

Vtsaogames is soooo right…Lincoln grew as a commander whereas Davis was always a boob.

OK, maybe the term 'boob' is too harsh.

Let me restate that Davis was always too full of himself to allow the intellectual growth that Lincoln demonstrated.