Quantrill of Missouri

By Paul R. Petersen

Book Overview

One will not find the name of William Clarke Quantrill in the pantheon of noble Civil War personalities but rather listed near the top of the list of its notorious scoundrels. He has been demonized as the devil incarnate, and most historical accounts portray him as a sadistic, pitiless, bloodthirsty killer. That image, however, did not ring true to Paul R. Petersen when he weighed it against the man's wartime accomplishments. When he began researching Quantrill of Missouri, he found that much of the lore that has been accepted as fact had been recorded by those who fought against Quantrill. In short, the victors wrote the history. Petersen asks, "How could this so-called fiend have been a respected schoolteacher? How could he have organized and led up to four hundred men in the most noted band of guerrilla fighters known to history? How could he be so hated by his own men and still lead them in the most renowned battles through Missouri, winning victories over superior Union forces? Others entrusted their sons to him. Others served him as spies. Women willingly tended his wounded, and his followers even guarded him in battle. Most of his people were God-fearing farmers...God-fearing, righteous people would not have followed a depraved, degenerate, psychotic killer."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1630269867
• ISBN13: 9781630269869
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Cumberland House Publishing
• Length: 540 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A fact based account

I have done extensive reading and research on this topic over the last decade and this is the most well researched, complete, and accurate account that exists today. If you are looking for a book that just re-enforces your already preconceived notions - then try something much shorter and less well done. Otherwise I would highly recommend it to those looking for a complete, accurate, and well researched account. It is probably much more of a neutral view than a souther view. Since most of the related history that I have found has been an extreme "slant" on history by Northen side of the war, who got to control how history was recorded, this may appear to be a southern view. If you have researched this topic as much as I have done, it will appear as probably one of the few attempts at accurately recording this most difficult time in the history of the mid-west.

Hallmark Book

From a woman's point of view this book was fascinating reading. Mr. Petersen's book is by far the best book yet written about William Clarke Quantrill. Not only his new insights but his understanding and experience as a combat veteran enables Petersen to give the reader a clear understanding why guerrillas fought so desperately. For the first time a complete account has been compiled written in a clear and easy-to-read style professionally edited and produced by a leading publisher. Reviews by critics who claim their self ascribed knowledge, is immaterial compared to someone who has done years of research and has tangible proof to show for it. Critics who once lamblasted Quantrill's men were labeled as unqualified and irresponsible. Modern reviewers lacking education or credentials are still critical of anything not demonizing Quantrill by showing their bitterness and mean-spiritness in what Petersen has expertly portrayed in his new book. One man with courage makes a majority and I'm glad Petersen had the determination and fortitude to see this work put into print. It should set a new standard for books about the border war in Missouri.

Most Excellent in 50 years!

I have been reading and researching Quantrill and his guerrillas for just over 50 years. I have to say that Paul Peterson's book is the top in it's class. His research is outstanding as is his writing and the many new photographs he uses.

Quantrill of Missouri

How refreshing to read a new offering on Quantrill and his Men. As a decendant from two of Quantrill's Men, I have been waiting for this arrival. Mr. Petersen has given a truthful and long awaited prospective on Quantrill the Man the Legend. I found this book to be truthful and informative. His indepth research on Quantrill and his Men proves worthy of his efforts and closer to the truth than any book I have read thus far on the Subject of Quantrill and his Men. Mr. Petersens personal experience in the USMC and warfair tactics of Guerilla Fighting makes his writting well recieved by this reader. Should anyone really want to know what made the Man and the Men, this a reading must.

A thought provoking exploration, analysis, and life story

Quantrill Of Missouri: The Making Of A Guerilla Warrior is a comprehensive, 504-page biography of William Clark Quantrill, the man who led deadly and effective guerilla campaigns on the side of the Confederacy during the darkest days of the Civil War. If history is written by the winners, then the winners have given Quantrill a brutal name indeed, as most accounts portray him as vicious, bloodthirsty, and merciless. Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran Paul R. Petersen seeks to uncover a more balanced and accurate perspective of Quantrill, one that weighs his actions as acts of war rather than of terror -- and often in response to severe brutality administered directly to the people he identified himself with. A thought provoking exploration, analysis, and life story, Quantrill Of Missouri is an invaluable contribution to Civil War Studies reading lists and Western Frontier Biography library collections.