Shenandoah 1862

This book will fill a void in the Time Life series. This is an out of print series.

The Shenandoah campaign of 1862 was an introduction to Stonewall Jackson's generalship. There were moments when he was far too aggressive; there were others where his leadership was sublime. And this volume explores the campaign from the perspective of the participants themselves--in their own voices (whether from letters, reports, diaries, etc.). There are common features between this and other volumes in the series--a map up front and the order of battle (a rendering of which units--down to brigade level--were involved in the struggle). There are also a series of narrative essays, to place the individuals' observations in perspective. Among the essays: "To Defend the Valley," "Kernstown," "Confounding the Yankees," "McDowell," "Cross Keys" and "Port Republic." Finally, a concluding essay--"Stonewall Jackson's Way." Some thought Jackson mad; others saw him as a genius. He could behave in almost amateurish fashion (as at Kernstown) or brilliantly (as he used Massanutten Mountain to confound the Union forces). But the heart of the book, as with others in this series, is the comments and observations of those who participated (including citizens). In short, another nice entry in the series.

this book tells the story of the shenandoah campaign in 1862 through actual soilders acconts they unfold like a story and the pictures are great as a former resident of the valley i LOVED the illustraion of the valley and it is very helpful while reading this book you'll learn a lot about the battles and about the personal stories highly recomended