Most people think the Civil War ended at Appomattox with Lee's surrender to Grant. Actually, the fighting carried on for a couple more months and included many events, including General Joseph Johnson's surrender, Lincoln's assassination, the flight of Jefferson Davis, a steamboat tragedy on the Mississippi River, the final land battle in Texas (ironically, a Confederate victory), the escape through Florida of several Confederate political leaders including John Breckinridge and the continued plundering of Union merchant shipping by a Confederte raider well into the fall of 1865. Burke Davis chronicles all of this as well as Jefferson Davis's post Civil War life as an unreconstructed rebel. It is a fascinating read for those interested in the Civil War.

This is a terrific book by Burke Davis. This book follows Jefferson Davis and his cabinet during the last days of the Civil War using first-hand accounts, newspaper articles, memoirs, and other never-before-published materials.. The books follows Davis, his cabinet, Lee, the Confederate treasury, Davis' family and others. Even though there are many people, Burke Davis writes in a way that is easy to follow and enjoyable to read. This book also looks at Davis' imprisonment and the post-war years of Davis, Lee, and the others above mentioned. It also attempts to answer the question of what happened to the Confederate treasury. This is a great book about a little-written about part of the Civil War.

George Washington is such a mythic figure, that any honest account of his life and career brings both surprises and a reaffirmation of just what a great man he was. Burke Davis is a first rate writer and historian and focusses here on Washington the General who led America to military victory in the Revolutionary War despite long odds and much personal hardship. Just keeping his ragtag army together was enough of a challenge. To actually win battles such as Trenton and Yorktown and survive the treachery of Benedict Arnold makes him all the more remarkable. It is a shame that the Revolutionary War evokes little of the passion in Americans today that the Civil War does. Washington's military feats dwarf those of Grant, Lee and Sherman. With this book, Washington the military commander gets his due.

More than McClellan's memoir, this is an early Stuart biography, and later biographies such as Davies' and Thomas' rely heavily upon it. McClellan became Stuart's AG in May '63, but his account starts with Stuart's youth.

This is a vital account in showing exactly what Stuart's cavalry did during the war: scouting, raiding, screening movements, fighting rearguard actions, gathering information, etc. One thing I didn't know was that Stuart's horse artillery, often under the command of the general himself and sometimes with regular batteries added, would take up a flank position during infantry battles and fire into the Federal ranks. The perpetual, obviously exhausting, activity of the cavalry also becomes obvious.

McClellan was present for the Gettysburg campaign, and his account is invaluable for this somewhat controversial issue. His writing becomes more personal at this point, and he recounts several anecdotes of interest. He continues his detailed recounting of ANV cavalry activity until Stuart's death; McClellan was present at the deathbed and ends his book there. This should be required reading for anyone interested in the cavalry.

This book was so wonderful. I don't know what make me check it out at the library because it was old and not at all colorful but once I started reading I could not put it down. I was swept away to another time and place. The characters were so warm and full of life. I recommended it to several who really enjoyed it also.

Despite the title, these strange and fascinating facts may interest Civil War buffs, and not many others.

Davis, the author of several history books, takes the little stories and factoids he has collected in research and put them all here in small episodes. To appreciate the value of these stories, the reader should have more than a passing knowledge of the Civil War. Many names, dates, battles, and the like are tossed around by an author who knows his subject, and requires his readers to know some, too.

The stories here are very entertaining, covering subjects as varied as can be imagined. The Civil War was full of "firsts." Firsts include: successful submarine, hospital ships, tobacco and cigarette taxes, and presidential assassination. The book also mentions Confederate States president Jefferson Davis more than Abraham Lincoln, possibly because Davis is barely a footnote in high school history books today. Stonewall Jackson, Ulysses Grant, and Robert E. Lee are also profiled. One entertaining chapter debunks many myths surrounding Grant's drunken war behavior.

Davis also gets serious, writing about widespread venereal disease on both sides, and the atrocities committed on civilians, which was evident on both sides as well.

Davis' book was published in 1960, and once again the publishers have decided to reprint the book many times without updating it. Davis mentions the upcoming centennial of the war, and mentions descendants of the major figures of the war and what they are doing today, or at least today forty years ago. Another drawback here is the lack of an index, leaving a serious researcher to have to skim the book looking for useful information. The author also mentions prices for Civil War memorabilia at current auction prices...forty years ago. Davis writes that more people lost their lives in the Civil War than in all the wars from the Revolution to our most current conflict...Korea.

I will recommend this book as a cursory page turner. As a displaced Texan who descends from three Confederate soldiers (that I know of), I appreciated Davis' balanced view of both sides of the conflict. Too often today we lose sight of the fact that over 600,000 people lost their lives in this war, and not many people know much about it.

If you thought you knew everything about the civil war than chances are you were wrong. I found out things in this book I never knew, like Robert E. Lee was buried without any shoes, an 8 year boy watched as Jefferson Davis was driven off to prison and that boy was Woodrow Wilson, plus so many other facts covered in this book.If you enjoy fascination facts than this book is for you.

After a lifetime of reading, Burke Davis put together a book of amazing and interesting pieces of information that don't usually show up in the historical accounts of the Civil War.

Here are a few examples of his research:
The Civil War was known by more than twenty-five names. The most unusual: The Brothers War--The War to Suppress Yankee Arrogance--The War for the Union and The War of the Rebellion.

Abraham Lincoln had smallpox when he gave the Gettysburg Address and several members of his wife's family were soldiers in the Confederate Army. Also President Lincoln admitted that one of his favorite tunes was "Dixie."

General Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA had twenty-nine horses shot from beneath him during the war years. Belle Boyd started her career as a spy for the South when, at the age of seventeen, she killed a Federal soldier. After the war, about 3,000 former Confederate officers left the South and moved to foreign countries. And there's so much more to learn.

Burke Davis did a spectacular job with this book and I highly recommend it. Not having served in the Marine Corps, this book gave me a pungent taste and deep admiration for this elite fighting brotherhood of which Puller is a legend. What came through to me most about Puller was his incredible humanity and compassion for his men. Puller would never eat until his men ate first, and in the midst of the frostbitten epic Marine engagement at the Chosin Resevoir in the Korean War, Davis writes that Puller took his own jacket off to give to a grunt who didn't have one. This to me is what made Puller special and puts a gold plate on the heroic bust that Davis has crafted - fearsome pugnacity, steely toughness, and unparalleled leadership were qualities he possessed in uncommon quantities, but his heart of gold was what makes him and this book stand out. It's a sad commentary on modern day America that a man like Chesty Puller would probably be mocked, scorned and marginalized. A good read.

In the Marine Corps a person learns what it means to be tough, and that description is synonymous with Chesty Puller. This book gives the clearest picture of leadership, warfare, and the Marine Corps way of life. This book makes me proud to be a Marine, proud to be an American, and proud to be a man. I recommend this book to anyone who is joining the Corps, is shipping over, or has been out for years. God Bless you Chesty, where ever you are!

I am a Vietnam Vet and was in the same Province as Chesty's son Lewis Puller Jr. (Quang Nam Province, 1970) One of the reasons I read the bio about his father as well as the son's own auto-bio. War is no joking matter and no game as Lewis Jr. found out. You also can't fight a war all by yourself which is sometimes the impression gained from Burke's book. The striking point to me about Chesty Puller however, more than his heroism under heavy enemy fire, is that Chesty, advancing from Private to Lieutenant General, throughout his long career never forgot where he came from. Time after time in incidents vividly described in Burke's book, Burke clearly shows that Chesty never got carried away with his own legend and always maintained a genuine and real concern for the enlisted men who did the fighting and the dying. And who, when he saw Officer abuse of enlisted men, as opposed to ordinary disipline nipped it in the bud. This book clearly shows that the enlisted men were very close to Chesty's heart and that Chesty never asked anyone, enlisted or NCO or Officer to do anything that he had not or would not do himself. Very excellent book. Was not able to stop reading once I began it.

While limited in scope, this is a very good book about an extraordinary figure in American history. Beginning only a few days before Fort Sumter and concluding with Appomattox, Mr. Davis' narrative is not designed as a biography of Robert E. Lee, and only limited dimensions of his character and his life are revealed in it. What the book does achieve is to paint a vivid picture of Lee's role in the Civil War and, through this vehicle, to reveal something essential about this bloodiest of American tragedies, which is a story of many sad paradoxes. A genuinely kindly and self-effacing man, Lee the military commander was nonetheless a wily aggressor who, along with his Union counterparts, invented a new kind of warfare which at the time had no precedent anywhere in the world for the degree of mass slaughter it unleashed. Lee adamantly opposed slavery on moral grounds and was appalled at the decision of the southern states to succeed from the American nation, the service of which he had devoted his professional life to. Despite these misgivings, he took up the Southern cause for the purpose of defending his native Virginia. Having reluctantly committed himself, he took up command of the Confederate army with such determination and skill that, prior to Gettysburg, he was arguably within range of accomplishing the Southern victory that he himself always believed to be unlikely. One of the strengths of this book is that the author seeks neither to romanticize nor debunk Lee. He lets primary sources speak for themselves through much of the narrative, and the portrait of Lee that emerges is one largely consistent with the popular image of the man as one of history's great tragic heroes. This books biggest weakness, at least for me, was it's failure to flesh out the strategic context for Lee's actions during the war. The narrative follows him through the major engagements in which he participated, but gives minimal perspective on military or political events occurring outside of Lee's camp. A comprehensive history of the war is beyond the scope of this short study, but the marvelous story it tells falls somewhat short due to the lack of background information. Still, the book is very well worth reading, and I recommend it.

I remember reading "Gray Fox" many years ago, and for some reason it didn't leave a major impact on me then... Then I recently bought the "new" version, and found it extremely gripping, and more importantly - quite readable.

The first chapter sets the tone of the book - it tells of the inner crisis that Lee faced with Secession, the attack on Fort Sumter, and his decision to reject President Lincoln's offer of a command of the Union Army.One can sense the full drama of the moment, as Lee turns his back on his love of country and army in favor of his state, about to join the Southern Confederacy.

Above all, Burke Davis is a master storyteller - and his Civil War Histories, though basically written from a Southern perspective (he has also written biographies of "Stonewall" Jackson and Jeb Stuart, as well as the wonderful "The Civil War: Strange and Fascinating Facts")are on a par with those written by Catton, Foote, and McPherson.By emphasizing both the history and the human interest aspects of Lee, Davis makes the reader feels a part of the story; as if he were at Lee's side at Antietam, Gettysburg, Appomattox...

For those interested in learning both the realities as well as the legend of Lee, I would strongly suggest purchasing this book, as well as Alan Nolan's controversal "Lee Reconsidered" (which presents a more sobering view of Lee the man) as vantage points to begin reading about the man considered by many to be America's "finest General" - though I'm not so sure about that opinion myself.

Davis is one of those rare authors who has the magical ability to to breathe life into the past through his writings. In addition to being a truly gifted writer, he is also an insightful and even-handed historian. Davis depicts Lee as a great, but not perfect general, as a complex figure who was willing to fight invading Northern armies, but who also hoped for an eventual end to slavery, as a man who while being vulnerable to pride sought the ideal of Christian humility, as kind and humane, but also willing to see men die in their thousands for the cause which he and they fought for. Moreover, while the book is written from the perspective of Lee and his army, the Northern side is still treated with respect and the same depth of understanding. Since many books on the Civil War are filled with hatred, blame, and arteficial and foolish one dimensional standards of morality, this is refreshing. I do not at all regret buying this book. I only regret that the author did not write more books. In addition to Gray Fox, I also highly recommend Davis's biography of Stonewall Jackson.

Book rather good written, but as all books of the USA shipped, the printed paper and is of rather poor quality. In Europe we are used to recieve best quality. So also after many years you still can enjoy reading.

The book starts out very well, establishing basic background and geographical history in a very easy to read anecdotal style. The remainder of the book essentially details General Stuart's exploits on and off the battlefield.

You certainly get the impression that he was a dashing figure, but unfortunatley the author does not delve deeper into the man as much as I would have preferred. You get a sense for him as a Confederate soldier who cared very much about his duty, but not why he cared so much.

I gave it four stars because it is a good read, and for the perspectives provided of many of the eastern battles and the cavalry's part in them.

This is the third civil war book by Burke Davis that I have read, and it is just as good as the others. Davis gives a complete and well researched account of the life of Jeb Stuart, but his main gift is that he can really tell a story. You will be interested from the beginning to the end, and in the process, you will realize that you have learned a thing or two.

William T. Sherman considered himself the best strategist of the Civil War generals. His march to Atlanta succeeded with a single battle. He maneuvered his troops so the enemy withdrew. This very readable book tells about this later campaign. Burke Davis spent over ten years gathering eyewitness accounts fro obscure and forgotten sources. Fourteen pages in the Bibliography replace footnotes; this book is for reading as history.

Atlanta was a major supply station for the Confederacy; it was targeted like railroad marshaling yards in WW II. Destroying railroad yards, an oil refinery, and warehouses was a military objective, but the fires spread (as in 1871 Chicago). Sherman was blamed for the destruction of private property (p.6). Sherman's army would live off the land; they could take what was in the open, but could not enter homes (p.8). Most of Sherman's troops were from the West: Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, one regiment of white Alabama Unionists (p.11). Sherman reduced formality to a minimum, and gained these troops affection.

When war was declared Sherman volunteered. He turned down an appointment as brigadier general for a colonel of regular infantry (p.15). Sherman was put in command of the Western army, and began to develop his theory of total warfare with highly mobile forces (p.18). Sherman's capture of Atlanta helped Lincoln's re-election. His march to Savannah was planned using census reports of farm production for each county. Sherman had a flat hierarchy, officers reported to him directly (p.26).

This foraging, or pillaging and destruction, was unique in American history (p.43). The looting and destruction of the Milledgeville statehouse library reminded one officer of the looting of Egypt (p.64). Sherman had a low opinion of newspaper reporters: they had earlier said he was insane, and published military news that was used by the Confederacy (no censorship then). Sherman was forever blamed for burning Columbia (p.161), but he intended to only destroy public buildings (railroad depots, factories). He said the fire was started by cotton bales burned by retreating Confederate cavalry. Others said it was caused by drunken troops (p.179), and the failure of the Governor to destroy the liquor supplies. His campaign was marked by unexpected cruelties, last seen in 17th century European wars. But not in North Carolina (p.216). Colonel Rhett was a symbol of the arrogant Southern ruling class (p.228). Sherman's focus was on winning the war rather than a victory, so he avoided a battle if possible (p.239)

Sherman's "Memoirs" in 1875 assessed the roles of individuals and governments in a bluff and candid manner, without sentiment. Sherman had some Southern admiration because of his opposition to Negro voting rights, but lost this when he termed the Confederacy as an "idiotic, criminal conspiracy" (p.300). This made him more popular with the Northern public. His death in 1891 had this eulogy: "He never acknowledged an error and never repeated it" (p.302). Sherman said "War is Hell". Clausewitz correctly said "war is the continuation of business rivalry through non-diplomatic means". Destruction in a country eliminates competition for manufacturers, creates new business for merchants and new investments for bankers. War is paradise when you profit from it.

Once again, Burke Davis has done a splendid job in profiling a great man of history. You will see Sherman as a tyrant and also as a soft hearted man, a man completely in control and completely out of control. You will feel the pain of Georgia and the Carolinas as he unleashes war on the people of the south.

It's often hard to find a book that is repelled from any bias, but renowned historian Burke Davis achieved it in this book. Sherman's March is an extremely touchy subject, but thanks to the heavy research, factual information, firsthand accounts, primary materials, quotations, and Davis' dramatic and engaging style, this book reads itself to you with no inhibitions.

Davis not only includes a thorough examination of the March itself tactically, but soldier's life and pasttimes, effects on the civilians, and most intriguing of all, an in depth look at the General himself which only helps in the understanding of the March. Sherman has never been so interesting.

The March was a somewhat necessary but horrible event that left scars on everyone involved and has left history in awe of it's strange grandeur, and has such been surrounded in a great amount of myth from both sides of the Mason Dixon. This clear cut and levelheaded book will let you understand what really did happen.

I think a good source book is one which can be used by a storyteller regards of when/where your own story is set. While I could use of the information here for history or for lost artifacts, I was disappointed by the rather sketchy nature of the information in the book. It does give you good historical background and some more information on older clans. The mystically items have potential.

Words can't describe the usefulness of this book. It is truly one of the most magnificent sourcebooks White Wolf has published in that its form is simple, but gives a vast amount of information.

The primary resources in this book are its design-a-fief chapter, its notes on the Tremere's Gargoyles, and its relics. Though it is, essentially, a rule book supplement, it gives insight into several "historical" stories, including the diablerie of Brujah by Troile.

Do you need this book to play a game of Vampire: the Dark Ages? No. Do you need it to run a serious chronicle? I say yes. An "authentic" city gives your game the flair it was meant to have.

This book is a required tool for any Dark Ages Story Teller.