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Sunday, July 3, 2011

Entrusting your battle plan to Beauregard is like a box of choc-o-lates

Novelist-history writer Winston Groom is taking on another great western battle with Shiloh, 1862: The First Great and Terrible Battle of the Civil War (National Geographic, Mar 2012). If the early details are correct, it's a big one at over 500 pages. I haven't read any of his Civil War books, and a quick thumb through his Vicksburg book didn't induce me to try, so I'll probably wait for Cozzens. Presumably, Peter will try to get his out for the 150th as well, but I have no idea.

8 comments:

  1. Interesting. I thought his books on the 1864 Tennessee Campaign and Vicksburg were decent even if they weren't groundbreaking.

    Cozzens on Shiloh should be fascinating.

    Chris

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  2. Hello Drew

    I don't believe Petter Cozzens is working on Shiloh any longer. I believe he has turned his writing to other fields.

    I'm sorry to see this, I enjoyed his writing.

    Regarding western Campaigns, I understand Larry Daniel is working on something. I've also heard Robertson is working on Chickamauga.


    Don Hallstrom

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  3. I'll read this, but I'm not sure if I'll buy it. I've read his Vicksburg book...more along the lines of "popular" history. I didn't learn much from it, but enjoyed it nevertheless. Any book-length treatment of Shiloh is welcome. I turn 40 a few days after the 150th of Shiloh and may go there for the anniversary.

    Joel Manuel
    Baton Rouge LA

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  4. When Cozzens was at our symposium last fall he said he's done with the Civil War. Heard from another source that he's said this before and has returned so maybe he'll come back for Shiloh, but it most likely won't be for the 150th.

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  5. Disappointed hearing that about Cozzens and Shiloh. I was looking forward to reading his take on the battle and campaign.

    By the way, has anyone heard if Gordon Rhea is ever coming out with his fifth volume on the Overland Campaign?
    Chris

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  6. If it's true he's dropped it permanently, that would be very disappointing indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello

    I talked to Gordon Rhea at the RMCWRT symposium last October. He was close to being finished. However, publication wasn't going to be until 2012. LSU press was doing it.

    Don Hallstrom

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  8. Interesting title about Beauregard and the battle plan. He actually screwed up the entire operation at Shiloh with his plan. This also cast a bad light on General Johnston because he allowed Beauregard to pretty much run the army. General Hardee once said that Johnston didn't have the strength of character to force his subordinates to do his will.

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