Jordan's book is an excellent biography of an overlooked and almost forgotten general of the Civil War. While Hancock was an excellent fighter and tactician, he is often overlooked in favor of Lee, Grant, Sherman, and Jackson. Thankfully, Hancock's important contributions to the Union are chronicled in Jordan's interesting text.

The book is full of interesting anecdotes of the following periods of Hancock's life:

1. Early childhood and life leading up to West Point.
2. West Point years.
3. Service in the Mexican War and just before the Civil War.
4. Excellent leadership at the Civil War battles of Antietam, Williamsburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg.
5. Role during the Reconstruction Period.
6. Political aspirations and almost presidency.
7. Final years.

As I read Jordan's book, I came to appreciate Hancock more and more. Jordan is able to keep the reader's interest throughout the text. For instance, while I was much more interested in Hancock's Civil War service instead of his politics, Jordan was able to keep me interested in Hancock's run for the presidency.

The only reason I did not give the book 5 stars is because the maps were few and of mediocre quality. When reading a Civil War book, I like several maps to enable me to better understand troop movements. Adding more high-quality maps would have done much to better clarify Hancock's movements during a certain battle.

Despite this minor complaint, I highly recommend this book as the definitive biography of and excellent leader!

I thoroughly enjoyed this biography of Winfield Scott Hancock. Many people know of his achievements during the War, but what I enjoyed the most was Jordan's exploration of Hancock's post-war career, out west and then in national politics. Jordan's writing style is elegant and easy to read - other authors make battle scenes heavy going, but Jordan takes us through them with ease. I highly recommend this book - it is a worthy addition to any history buff's library.

It is a quirk of fate that the man most responsible for the Union victory at Gettsburg is unknown to most Americans.
Phil Sheridan called him "Hancock the superb", and the man so well fitted the appellation that it stuck forever. A splendid professional soldier and sterling personality, Hancock was involved in all the military activities of his time, from the Mexican War through the great Railroad Strike of 1877, performing nearly flawlessly and garnering the respect and affection of practically everyone he met. He was so well regarded that he almost beat Garfiend for the U.S. presidency, losing only because of political machinations of corrupt New York politicians.
Hancock's story is beautifully researched and well told here by an author who understands not only the man but also the times through which he moved. As a bonus, Jordan has the rare ability to bring to life military tactics and battlefield maneuvers, giving a remarkably clear vision of Civil War battles.
Highly recommended for the Civil War buff, student of military history, and as exemplary biography.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)