Excellent book. James M. McCaffrey weaves the facts of Granbury's Texas Brigade from the beginning of the Civil War to after. Along with his facts that are documented very well, he puts in each chapter quotes from actual troops to better illustrate from those who were there, the points of the book. It starts from the mustering in Texas, to life in the Army of Trans-Mississippi, to prison life, to life in the Army of Tennessee, including all the campaigns and battles. The leadership of the struggling Southern Army is covered well. Not only is the history of the brigade covered, but it is an excellent reference book as well. McCaffrey's work in the appendices, which are chapters in themselves, cover; The flags of Granbury's Brigade (with line drawings), the weapons of Granbury's Brigade, and the regimental rosters of the men in Granbury's Brigade. This includes the names of the troops in the Sixth Texas Infantry Regiment, Seventh Texas Infantry Regiment, Tenth Texas Infantry Regiment, Fifteenth Texas Calvary Regiment, Seventeenth Texas Calvary Regiment, Eighteenth Texas Calvary Regiment, Twenty-fourth Texas Calvary Regiment, and the Twenty-fifth Texas Calvary Regiment. There are also maps of the battles with troop movments and pictures of some members of Granbury's Brigade, including a page of weapons and another of the flag of the 17th and 18th Texas Cavalry. The best review I could give this book is that the kin of mine who fought in this unit would be proud of this work. If you are studying Civil War history, Texas troop's Civil War history, or had ancestry in this brigade, this is a very good book to add to your library. I salute the author,James M. McCaffrey, for bringing the history of Granbury's Brigade alive.

This book has been an indespensable guide to the recruitment, training, engagements and other events of my ancestor and his brother James N. and John S. Hamilton in Co. I of the Texas 18th Cavalry (dismounted). I highly recommend as an excellent account of not only Granbury's Brigade, but a great short introduction to battlefield circumstances and tactics for the "uninitiated", such as myself. A VERY readable book !

The first two chapters were a warm up for the real guts and glory! I have never met the author but just reading his book made me proud to be an American. Using the genious approach to cannibalizing parts to fly planes that had no chance of surviving against such great odds is overwhelming.

My advise is to buy the book and read, start to finish!

I was doing genological research and wanted to understand better what the folks who were involved in the Mexican War were thinking, why they fought, where they came from, etc. This book did that and more. It is incredible to read the very words of these soldiers--it makes you realize that there is very little difference between our us and our ancestors. No one can explain it better than their own words.