"Looking for Shiloh book recommendation" Topic

I'm looking for a good in-depth book on the Battle of Shiloh. I'd like it to get down to regimental level with detail like Cozzens or Pfanz. I have James McDonald's Shiloh: In Hell Before Nightfall, but it's too general for the most part.

I'd also like good coverage of the second day's battle, which always seems to get glossed over. Mark Johnson's That Body of Brave Men does a good job with the US Regulars and their brigade, but I'm looking for the whole battle.

Good maps would be a plus too.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

A couple of titles out there that might interest you:

Wiley Sword – Shiloh: Bloody April
Larry J. Daniels – Shiloh: The Battle That Changed The Civil War

Out of the two, Daniels' title is the more detailed and up to date account of the battle that would be of interest to you. Good detail down to the brigade and regimental level, although I could have used a few more maps.

BTW, Peter Cozzens is currently researching Shiloh for an upcoming book, but he is probably a few years away from publication. You can be sure that will be a detailed tactical title.

Cheers, John

I'll second the recommendation of Daniels' book. Looking forward to Cozzens book!

Shiloh and the Western Campaign:

link

Customer reviews:

link

I'll second the recommendation on Cunningham

Does either the Daniels or Cunningham book have a complete order of battle, with the strength of each regiment? I'm not even sure that information is available, but if it is I'd like to know.

Thanks all!

I am not sure but didn't Zimmerman do Shiloh in the Battles of the Civil War OOB book? I do not have the index with me but I had the book. I have seen it on ebay before as well.
VR
James Mattes

A second on "Shiloh: Bloody April" by Wiley Sword.

That is great news to hear that Cozzens is planning a book on Shiloh. It would fit in well with his trilogy on the Stones River-Chicamauga-Chattanooga campaigns for the western theatre. It also dovetails nicely with his book on Corinth & Iuka.

Can anyone tell us more about the Wiley Sword book?

Cunningham's SHILOH AND THE WESTERN CAMPAIGN is the most authoritative, but the footnotes must be read along with the text.

Wiley Sword's BLOODY APRIL is probably the most readible and still pretty accurate.

For scenario construction, I like Cunningham.

Mark

>> Does either the Daniels or Cunningham book have a complete order of battle, with the strength of each regiment? <<

Cleburne1863:

I cannot comment on Cunningham's title, but Daniels' book has a complete OOB for the Army of the Tennessee, Army of the Ohio and the Confederate Army of the Mississippi, infantry, cavalry and arty. As for rgtl strength's unfortunately no, but it does break down the Federal side by division present for duty and losses. For the Confederate it is by corps only.

Regards, John

Cunningham does not list regimental strengths with the OB. Some of that may come up in the text and notes like when reading reports in the OR, though because of the detail.

Mark

Yes, I'd go for Wiley Sword's BLOODY APRIL too.

I just bought Cunningham's book today. I'll buy Sword's book soon too. In fact, just last weekend Mr. Sword spoke at our round table. Pretty cool.

Sword published a revised edition of Bloody April in 2001. For my money, still the best so far. I'm visiting Shiloh this week to see all the activities on this, the 148th Anniversary weekend. Shiloh Battlefield is probably the most pristine of them all due it being miles from anywhere with Chickamauga running a close second, only because it has more visitors. Antietam is great but crowded.

Army of the Heartland Set?

Another BIG vote for Wiley Sword – Shiloh: Bloody April. Great book. Lots of detail.