Overview

A titan among Civil War military geniuses gives an unvarnished account of his career, presented for the first time in a definitive annotated edition. William Tecumseh Sherman's memoirs were a sensation when first published in 1875, as Americans grappled with the aftermath of the Civil War and its emerging place in collective memory. Today, Sherman's account remains arguably the most significant work of Civil War military history after that of his friend and commanding general Ulysses S. Grant. In blunt terms, Sherman chronicles his military life and leadership from the First Battle of Bull Run to the Battle of Shiloh and the Atlanta and Vicksburg Campaigns. Most notably, he gives a detailed account of his notorious March to the Sea, which instituted a new and uniquely destructive type of warfare that would include civilians in the conflict between armies ever after. Along the way, he provides candid and often unsparing commentary on his fellow officers, subordinates, and adversaries. These assessments created immediate and lasting controversy, so much so that Sherman published a second edition with extensive appendixes responding to the outcry. This newly annotated volume, featuring an introduction by leading Civil War historian John F. Marszalek, presents Sherman's life and legacy for today's audience. Detailed notes shed light on his editorial process, while contextualizing individuals, places, and events that loomed large for nineteenth-century readers but have since become obscure. Reintroducing a classic work of American military history, this edition brings to life a remarkable figure whose leadership continues to be debated today.

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9780674988354

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Reviews

A monumental achievement in documentary editing and historical interpretation. From the same team behind the latest edition of Grant’s memoirs now comes an essential new edition of Sherman’s, expertly introduced and annotated for a new generation of readers. The result is an invaluable and accessible resource for all serious students of the American Civil War. -- Harold Holzer, author of <i>Brought Forth on This Continent</i> Only John F. Marszalek could be the general leading the way on this marvelous new edition of Sherman’s Memoirs. Here, for the first time, detailed annotations allow readers to enter fully into the story of Uncle Billy’s life and his long-debated accounts of the lives of Civil War military leaders. -- Ronald C. White, author of <i>American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant</i> A definitive, invaluable edition of Sherman’s Memoirs. Scrupulous annotations and an informative introduction, providing rich context for Sherman’s own energetic prose, reveal not only how this essential record came to be but also why it still matters. Shedding new light on one of the conflict’s most sensational, mercurial, and misunderstood generals, this is a must-read for anyone curious about the history of the Civil War. -- Elizabeth D. Samet, author of <i>Looking for the Good War: American Amnesia and the Violent Pursuit of Happiness</i> This expertly annotated and contextualized edition of Sherman's vivid memoirs is an invaluable gift to researchers and teachers, as well as to anyone who seeks to understand the Civil War era, the origins of modern warfare, and the burdens of leadership in times of crisis. -- Elizabeth R. Varon, author of <i>Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied the South</i> Here, at last, is a definitive annotated edition of Sherman’s Memoirs. An enduring flashpoint for students of the Civil War, Sherman's account—like the memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant—offers the most immediate firsthand view of the Union army’s major campaigns. As Sherman himself emphasized, he did not intend to write history, only to record what he saw, what he felt, and what he believed. This comprehensive new edition provides the context necessary to assess his views and to situate his memoirs in the Civil War canon. -- Craig L. Symonds, author of <i>Lincoln and His Admirals</i>

Only John F. Marszalek could be the general leading the way on this marvelous new edition of Sherman’s Memoirs. Here, for the first time, detailed annotations allow readers to enter fully into the story of Uncle Billy’s life and his long-debated accounts of the lives of Civil War military leaders. -- Ronald C. White, author of <i>American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant</i> A monumental achievement in documentary editing and historical interpretation. From the same team behind the latest edition of Grant’s memoirs now comes an essential new edition of Sherman’s, expertly introduced and annotated for a new generation of readers. The result is an invaluable and accessible resource for all serious students of the American Civil War. -- Harold Holzer, author of <i>Brought Forth on This Continent</i> Here, at last, is a definitive annotated edition of Sherman’s Memoirs. An enduring flashpoint for students of the Civil War, Sherman's account—like the memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant—offers the most immediate firsthand view of the Union army’s major campaigns. As Sherman himself emphasized, he did not intend to write history, only to record what he saw, what he felt, and what he believed. This comprehensive new edition provides the context necessary to assess his views and to situate his memoirs in the Civil War canon. -- Craig L. Symonds, author of <i>Lincoln and His Admirals</i> This expertly annotated and contextualized edition of Sherman's vivid memoirs is an invaluable gift to researchers and teachers, as well as to anyone who seeks to understand the Civil War era, the origins of modern warfare, and the burdens of leadership in times of crisis. -- Elizabeth R. Varon, author of <i>Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied the South</i>

Author Information

John F. Marszalek is William L. Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at Mississippi State University and Executive Director Emeritus of the Ulysses S. Grant Association. His numerous books include Sherman: A Soldier’s Passion for Order and, with Louie P. Gallo and David S. Nolen, The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: The Complete Annotated Edition.

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