From Publishers Weekly
This outstanding third volume in Rhea's analysis of the duel between U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee in the summer of 1864 demonstrates the value of operational narrative: Rhea's conclusions depend heavily on his fingertip mastery of the details of some of the most confused fighting of the Civil War. This volume also shows that Grant and Lee, far from representing opposite poles of generalship, were remarkably alike. Both were aggressive; both were willing to attempt unorthodox operational maneuvers in quest of a tactical advantage that might lead to a decisive battle. Grant's goal was not to capture Richmond, but to destroy Lee's army. During the period covered here, as in the campaign's earlier stages, Grant kept Lee off balance with a series of feints and maneuvers that, as presented by Rhea (a practicing attorney), should discredit once and for all Grant's image as an unsophisticated grappler. He was frustrated by Lee's ability to match him thrust for thrust. Wherever Grant moved, Lee responded. By 1864 the combination of fieldworks and firepower had become sufficiently formidable on both sides to frustrate consistently what on maps seemed promising tactical opportunities. Even an outnumbered defense could hold positions long enough for support to arriveAafter which the attacker's valor and energy only increased casualty lists on both sides. The old Army of the Potomac and the old Army of Northern Virginia both died in May 1864, mutually eviscerated by a style of war that would harvest even more corpses to even less purpose on the European battlefields of 1914-1915. A History Book Club Main Selection. (June) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Rhea continues his fine study of the 1864 showdown between Grant and Lee (The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern, May 7-12, 1864; The Battle of the Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864). His new work is more focused than either William D. Matter's If It Takes All Summer: The Battle of Spotsylvania (Univ. of North Carolina, 1988) or J. Michael Miller's lesser-known The North Anna Campaign: Even to Hell Itself (H.E. Howard, 1989). Overall, this is an outstanding contribution to a comparatively little-studied period of the war, and Rhea makes excellent use of primary sources in analyzing this critical phase. His writing is engaging and clear as he unfolds events that would determine the outcome of the great struggle. The maps and photographs further enhance the text, and a solid bibliography is also included. Highly recommended. [History Book Club selection.]--Daniel D. Liestman, Kansas State Univ. Lib., Manhatta.---Daniel D. Liestman, Kansas State Univ. Lib., Manhattan Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Rhea is a practicing attorney who has lectured and written extensively on military campaigns of the Civil War. Here he sheds light on a critical but often neglected phase: the initial campaign between Robert E. Lee and U. S. Grant, who had recently assumed full command of the Army of the Potomac. Lee and Grant are shown as initially tentative warriors who probe, test, and then engage in spurts of savagery. As expected, Lee is viewed as the innovator and Grant as the tenacious bulldog; but Rhea also finds points of convergence in their tactical approaches. This is a detailed, complicated saga, and lay readers will struggle with some of the military technicalities. However, specialists and amateur Civil War buffs should find this work both enjoyable and informative. Jay Freeman

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal