Lee at Chattanooga: A Novel of What Might Have Been

by Dennis P. McIntire

Book Overview

The possibility that Confederate President Jefferson Davis might have sent General Robert E. Lee to aide Braxton Bragg in his battle at Chattanooga is explored in this novel. What might have happened that September 1863 if this had occurred?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158182257X
• ISBN13: 9781581822571
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Cumberland House Publishing
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The way alternative History ought to be

I bought this book on a whim, and boy am I glad I did. I'm not much of a fan of the Harry Turtledove stuff (I do read it, it's just that I'm not *that* impressed) wherein the author attempts to follow all aspects and angles of a particular period of "alternative" history. Here, retired FBI agent Dennis McIntire (reportedly a life-long Civil War buff) attempts less, and winds up with more of a book as a result.The book is told in the form of a memoir. It begins, in a brief introduction, with the narrator (Jed Hotchkiss, Stonewall Jackson's Cartographer) recounting the surrender of the Confederate army in 1864, then shifts to 1867. In the latter section, Hotchkiss meets Jefferson Davis' secretary at General Lee's funeral, and recounts to him the events surrounding General Lee's participation in the battle of Chattanooga, and the results that came from these events. I will tell you no more: you should read the book yourself to find out how things get screwed up.This book essentially turns the genre of Civil War Alternative History (so far anyway) on its head. Instead of the Confederates winning the war and living on in glory, Lee's presence at Chattanooga actually hastens the end of the war. To my mind, it's the equivalent of the David Downing novel The Moscow Option, which purports to show that even if Hitler's generals had been directing strategy in WW2 things might not have gone as well as they'd hoped. I enjoyed this book a great deal. McIntire is a good writer, and the prose is more than serviceable. The plot is interesting, and makes sense, and the characterizations of the generals involved are in line with what we know of them. I would recommend this book to all Civil War buffs, though the rest of the public would have to know something about the war and the battle to get the full import of what the book is saying.

A fascinating "what if" alternate history novel

Civil War expert Dennis McIntire's Lee At Chattanooga: A Novel Of What Might Have Been is a fascinating "what if" alternate history novel about Robert E. Lee and Braxton Bragg. Lee At Chattanooga is an intriguing and imaginative exploration of the perennial question: what if it had been Lee who was involved in the Chattanooga campaign? A heavily researched and fascinatingly explored scenario unfolds in the resulting intricate chronicle, Lee at Chattanooga. Dennis McIntire's makes his characters come alive and this unusual story unfold with such compelling realism that he has created a work of historical fiction which totally engages the reader from first page to last -- and makes Lee At Chattanooga a "must read" for all dedicated Civil War buffs.

Lee At Chatanooga

Very intersting. I highly recommend this book. A good "what if".

Lee at Chattanooga-a perfect blend of history and the novel

Mr McIntire`s masterful blend of recorded history and the "what if" intrigue of this type of novel genre is a must read not only for civil war buffs but all people who are admirers of heartfelt writing.His intimate knowledge and passion for the period and the chosen events are evident throughout the book but the special value is embodied by the wonderful dialogue which is not only believable but highly entertaining.In some books,the "what if" style of writing can often go so astray that the reader is left to question the basic premise and authenticity of the piece.In this case,however,the author brilliantly interweaves the known with the "could have happened" in a way that is riveting and highly satisfying to both the civil war aficionado and the casual reader of history.If this is indeed his first novel,I can only patiently await his next rendition.During the interim,I highly recommend this initial effort.

For all civil war fans

Being a civil war buff, I think this is an excellent piece. Congrats to the author. Are there any more coming from him?