Master of War: The Life of General George H. Thomas

By Benson Bobrick

Book Overview

From an acclaimed historian comes this biography of one of the most successful generals of the Civil War, George H. Thomas--a soldier who never lost a battle, who destroyed two Confederate armies, and who saved both Grant and Sherman from defeat. bw photographs; maps throughout.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743290259
• ISBN13: 9780743290258
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 1.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

The full picture

This is the third book of Benson Bobrick's I have read. While not an assiduous student of history, I find in "Master of War" as well as "Wide as the Waters" and The Fated Sky" a brilliant gathering of information including the culture of the time and place and the physical environment. It so broadens my sense of humankind and its progress (or lack thereof) through time. Mr. Bobrick is masterful in bringing to life the complex aspects of the civil war, the physical, political, and human realities as they interplay. Above all, he describes a great man; great certainly as a military leader but great also in the level of his integrity and courage -- heartening. I can't say enough. At its least, it is a very good read and at it's best, the wealth of insights and descriptives act like a time machine. I highly recommend this book.

Needed Shoulder to the Wheel of the Thomas Bandwagon

Benson Bobrick's book Master of War argues ever so validly that General George Thomas was the best Civil War general on both sides, and that Grant and Sherman not only were not, but actively and so far successfully worked to denigrate and downplay Thomas in order to build up their own reputations and cover their own failures. This is why Thomas is so little known today and is denied the credit he is due. The popular historians are much to blame for this and for perpetuating the myths of Grant and Sherman. There is way too much political correctness, or is it just plain laziness, from that quarter, and it is really unexplainable because the facts of the matter are indisputable. Why is it so often difficult to recognize the truth? Probably because the popular historians would have to admit their mistakes. Nobody is willing to take responsibility these days, it seems.

GENERAL THOMAS GETS HIS DUE

40 Years ago,I read a book by Bruce Catton. The title was This Hallowed Ground. It was the first time I heard about General George H.Thomas. He was a remarkable warrior. He destroyed two Confederate Armies in the field. What General north or south had done that? In every history I have read of this man, it showed that Grant disliked him very much, and Sherman talked behind his back. Late in life Bruce Catton came to believe that General Thomas might have been the best General in the Civil War on both sides. Give the author a break for a few minor errors. enough with all this nit-picking. This reminds me of all the grief General Longstreet took when he faulted Lee for Gettysburg. Lee was not God, nor are Grant and Sherman Gods. It's been a very long time for General George H.Thomas and Bobrick has given his due.