New Releases-Savas Beatie & Penguin Press

The mailman has been pretty busy for the last couple of weeks with some new releases.


Embattled Rebel: Jefferson Davis as Commander in Chief written by James M. McPherson and published by Penguin. McPherson is the author of arguably the most widely read Civil War book of all time, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (Oxford History of the United States). This assessment of Jefferson Davis contains just over 300 pages including notes and index. There are b/w photos and fifteen maps. A quick look at the typeset and format leads me to believe this is a book aimed at a wide reading audience and probably not one that is intended to break new ground.


Richmond Redeemed: The Siege at Petersburg, The Battles of Chaffin's Bluff and Poplar Spring Church, September 29 - October 2, 1864 written by Richard J. Sommers and published by Savas Beatie. This is a revised and expanded edition of the 1981 edition. This has all the attributes readers have come to expect from a Savas Beatie title. This book has considerable heft. No expense has been spared: index, notes, bibliography, order of battle, 22 maps, 91 b/w photos and need I say anything about the quality of the paper and binding. The book totals out at 661 pages. Not cheap but quality like this never is.  


Read an interview with Dr. Sommers on the SB website here.

Controversial Savas Beatie Book Wins Award

Savas Beatie Title Wins 2014 Albert Castel Book Award

 

 

El Dorado Hills, CA May 23, 2014 - John Bell Hood:  The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Confederate General by Stephen M. Hood was selected as the 2014 winner of the Albert Castel Book Award.

 

The award is given biennially by the Kalamazoo Civil War Round Table to authors writing on the subject of the Civil War in the Western Theater.

 

According to reviewing members of the Kalamazoo CWRT: 

 

"The voluminous inclusion of citations to historical documents and other primary source material challenge previous interpretations of Hood's military actions. A look back at past author's interpretations of John Bell Hood's record reveals the biases, inventions, and myths that have darkly colored his Civil War reputation. This book refutes the aspersions of 'historians' to name Hood the sole cause of the loss of Atlanta, and failure at Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville." -Margean Gladysz

 

"Anyone who wants the true story of the fall of Atlanta and the Tennessee campaign needs to study this book."

-Graham Hollis

 

"Sam Hood makes a compelling case that Hood's reputation has been unjustifiably tarnished over the years by authors who have repeated half-truths and myths that are not supported by primary sources. Even people with little or no interest in Hood should read it as a cautionary tale that the things that 'everybody knows' are not always true." -Dave Jordan

 

"I knew we had a very special book from the moment I first read the manuscript, but all of us at Savas Beatie are thrilled and humbled that John Bell Hood won such a prestigious award," said Theodore P. Savas, the managing director for Savas Beatie. "We were always confident that anyone who actually took the time to read Stephen Hood's book, whether in reviewing it or for pleasure, would find it original, well-researched, and truly ground-breaking in what it exposes about the state of this slice of Civil War historiography. It surprises people, I think, when they find out Sam's work is not an argument that Hood was the overlooked Jackson or Lee," continued Savas. "It is about intellectual honesty and rigorous scholarship, and a cautionary tale about both. Anyone writing about General Hood or his tenure with the Army of Tennessee in the future who ignores this book and/or his recently discovered personal papers will do so at his peril."

 

John Bell Hood was one of the Confederacy's most enigmatic generals. He died at 48 after a brief illness in August of 1879, leaving behind the first draft of his memoirs Advance and Retreat: Personal Experiences in the United States and Confederate States Armies. Published posthumously the following year, the memoirs immediately became as controversial as their author. A careful and balanced examination of these "controversies," however, coupled with the recent discovery of Hood's personal papers (which were long considered lost) finally sets the record straight in John Bell Hood: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Confederate General.

 

About Stephen M "Sam" Hood.: Stephen M. "Sam" Hood graduated from Kentucky Military Institute, Marshall University (BBA, 1976), and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. A collateral descendant of General Hood, Sam is a retired industrial construction company owner, past member of the Board of Directors of the Blue Gray Education Society, and a past president of the Board of Directors of Confederate Memorial Hall Museum in New Orleans.  He lives in his hometown of Huntington, West Virginia, with his wife of 37 years, Martha, and is the proud father of two sons: Derek Hood of Lexington, Kentucky, and Taylor Hood of Huntington, West Virginia.

 

About Savas Beatie LLC: Savas Beatie LLC is a leading military and general history publishing company. Read more about John Bell Hood: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of a Confederate General, including excerpts and an interview with the author.

 

Upcoming Post-Robert E. Lee in War and Peace

I recently received a copy of Robert E. Lee in War and Peace: The Photographic History of a Confederate and American Icon, written by Donald A. Hopkins, courtesy of the good folks at Savas Beatie, LLC.

I can't wait to dig into this one. Dr. Hopkins, a medical doctor not a Ph.D., has uncovered 61 images of The Marble Man, some being reproduced in print for the first time.

Differing from Ostendorff's work on Lincoln, Dr. Hopkins doesn't set up a numbering system for photos. Here, the photos are discussed and analyzed, the photographers given their due, and new discoveries shared with the Civil War community.

This book more than lives up the normal Savas Beatie standard in terms of the physical appearance. Printed on high quality paper there is a real heft to the book. While I haven't read it yet this one looks like any student of the Civil War should own a copy. Those interested in early photography would also be wise to take a look

Savas Beatie Author Conclave

Publisher Savas Beatie is hosting their first ever Author Conclave in July at Gettysburg and Antietam and everybody is invited. Here is your chance to take battlefield tours with some of SB's most respected authors. The best part--FREE! See below for further information.

Dear Friends of Savas Beatie, 

We are very excited to announce the first Savas Beatie Author Conclave! We have lined up battlefield tours, book signing events, and other activities for authors as well as Savas Beatie readers.

Schedule: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17iPol6nJZeWnRnwfB81vP1cxbopV6OFGw7UT7wtgqfs/viewform

The author-led tours are open to the general public at no cost. Please help us spread the word by sharing the link above and the attached flier with your friends, family, and local contacts.

 

Book Review--Confederate General William "Extra Billy" Smith

Mingus, Scott, Sr. CONFEDERATE GENERAL WILLIAM "EXTRA BILLY" SMITH: From Virginia's Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat. Savas Beatie, El Dorado Hills, CA, 2013. 418 pages 402 pages of text, index, bibliography, foot notes, b/w photos, maps. ISBN 9781611211290, $29.95.

After reading the book you will probably be thinking the same thing that I was; "Why has nobody written about William "Extra Billy" Smith before? And then with some thought you may come to the same conclusion that I did; the subject was just waiting for an author like Scott L. Mingus Sr. to come along and write what may ultimately turn out to be the definitive work on Smith.

Smith had his hand in many areas and is one of those few who seems to have a level of success (all be it with a lot of failures as well) in just about everything he did. He was a successful businessman, both as a lawyer, a stage coach operator, and also as a mail contractor. It was his mail delivery business that earned him his nickname "Extra Billy" for charging (Smith himself would probably have said earning) extra payments above the agreed upon rates and contracts. He became so legendary for this that the nickname stuck throughout life.

As a politician Smith was a staunch Democrat believing in strict construction of the Constitution. That is, any powers not given to the federal government belong to the states themselves. As a man of his time he held strong racial views and at one point wanted to expel free blacks from Virginia due to his view that they were a drain on society and a tool for abolitionists.

The life of a politician was at times difficult for Smith and he was in and out of office. In the early 1840's the Whigs were able to gerrymander congressional districts and Smith was out of office. He also voiced concerns over the paltry pay for a politician. In 1845 he was chosen governor elect by the Virginia state legislature and thought long and hard before accepting the position. He had a family to raise and his law career was going well. He was unable to resist the call however and accepted the position further solidifying his political reputation. Smith spent the 1850's in the House of Representatives.

With the coming of the Civil War Smith returns to Virginia and despite his advancing years volunteers for service being commissioned a Colonel. Smith performs well, especially for a non-military man, fighting at Manassas, Seven Pines, Antietam and other battles. He was wounded several times but always came back. In January 1863 he was promoted to Brigadier General taking the place of the recently promoted Jubal Early.

It was during the Gettysburg Campaign where the Smith legend really seemed to take off and is why he is remembered so much today. Stationed with his small brigade along the York Road on July 1, 1863, Smith sees what he believes to be Union infantry flanking the Confederate army. He requests help from General Ewell and the outcome of Smith's vision siphons troops and time away from what could have been an attack on Cemetery Hill. Could Ewell have taken the high ground if not for Smith? We shall never know. Mr. Mingus' telling of the story is top notch and there is an interesting appendix discussing it further.

In July 1863 Smith is again elected governor of Virginia and he resigns his post after being promoted to Major General. As the war movement worsens for the Confederacy Smith eventually realizes that blacks will need to be armed even if it mean granting them freedom. After the war Smith was captured, indicted for treason, but never tried.

This is a masterfully written book. Mingus has a way with words and his books are quick to read which is a blessing and a curse. The curse being you don't want it to end. The book is loaded with illustrations and has a full complement of 14 maps created by Hal Jespersen. As with any Savas Beatie title the book quality itself is superb. This is a book that should be on the shelves of any Civil War library. Highly recommended!

Special thanks going out to Savas Beatie and author Scott Mingus for providing a complimentary review copy.

Upcoming Post--Confederate General William "Extra Billy" Smith

Thanks to the good folks at Savas Beatie and also to author Scott L. Mingus Sr. for sending along a copy of Scott's newest book CONFEDERATE GENERAL WILLIAM "EXTRA BILLY" SMITH: From Virginia's Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat .

It's hard to believe that nobody has seriously taken up Smith as a subject until now. A brief reading of the dust jacket shows Smith to have been quite the character and somebody who is worthy of a full biography from the skilled pen of Mr. Mingus. I am looking forward to his views on Smith's actions at Gettysburg.

The book looks to be well illustrated and has numerous maps. The maps are from skilled cartographer Hal Jesperson. In other words this is a normal well produced book by Savas Beatie who are known for their top notch production values!

In order to whet your appetite a bit be sure to check out this brief interview with the author.

Upcoming Posts--E-Book Style

Well, Confederate Book Review is being forced into the 21st century whether I want to be or not. I have received 2 review copies in the last few weeks. Both are in PDF format. Now I have resisted having an e-reader of any kind and reading for long periods on a computer is not my favorite thing to do but that is going to have to change I am afraid. My wife has a Kindle (OK it was originally mine but she has gotten a ton of use out of it) and now has a Nook Tablet that she uses constantly. She loves it. I will be joining the digital revolution soon enough though. My parents are going to buy me an iPad 3 (or whatever the new version will be called) as my Christmas gift when it is released. The last I saw this is possibly going to be in March. We'll see. I am sure once I get used to it I will enjoy it. There's just something about a real physical book that I think I will always prefer. Gotta change with the times though.

While I really do prefer the real book I can see the advantages for publishers especially when sending out complimentary review copies. The expense is really negligible as opposed to a hard copy of the book. Chances are the PDF cost pennies at best while the physical book would run several dollars or more depending on whether a real trade edition or "ARC" is sent. The digital copy also saves on postage which is at least a couple of bucks. Add it up then multiply it by however many review copies are sent out then multiply that times how many books a publisher releases and at this point we are talking some real money. Yes, the digital review copy is here to stay and as I said earlier I've gotta change with the times.
Onward to the new e-books I have received!


From the great folks at Savas Beatie is the much waited for Unholy Sabbath: The Battle of South Mountain in History and Memory, September 14, 1862 written by Brian Matthew Jordan. Having read John Hoptak's excellent The Battle of South Mountain last year I am eagerly looking forward to reading this.




Thanks also go out to author S. Thomas Summers for sending along a copy of his recently released book of Civil War poetry titled Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the American Civil War. Through a series of brief poems we trace the service of a young Confederate private during the Civil War. Seems like an interesting concept. Seeing that the book has received several 5 star reviews on Amazon I have hope that this will prove an interesting read. The book is published by Anaphora Literary Press.

Savas Beatie Author Interview

Having recently had the pleasure of visiting Antietam National Battlefield I have gained an interest in and appreciation for this complex battle. Publisher Savas Beatie has a new book out titled Unholy Sabbath: The Battle of South Mountain in History and Memory, September 14, 1862 written by Brian Matthew Jordan. Here Jordan tells the story of an often overlooked battle that is seen by many as just a prequel to Antietam. Using many primary sources readers will be able to see the importance of the action that took place at the three gaps (Fox's, Turner's, and Crampton's) on South Mountain. If the author achieves his goal the battle will no longer be seen as just a trivial part of the Maryland Campaign that led to Antietam but will be seen as an important turning point in the campaign in and of itself. The book contains maps, photos, index, and bibliography. While I have not seen a copy of the book yet this looks like it will be a winner. Knowing the quality of other SB books this will no doubt be an attractive book as well.

For those wanting further information about the book, the author, or the author's methods and goals of the book SB has been kind enough to post an interview with Mr. Jordan. Read the full interview here.

Book Review--The New Gettysburg Campaign Handbook

Petruzzi, J. David and Steven Stanley. NEW GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN HANDBOOK, THE: Facts, Photos, and Artwork for Readers of All Ages, June 9 - July 14, 1863 (Savas Beatie Handbook). Savas Beatie, El Dorado Hills, CA. 2011. 184 pages. Maps, color and b/w photos. ISBN 978611210781, $18.95.

The dynamic duo who brought us COMPLETE GETTYSBURG GUIDE: Walking and Driving Tours of the Battlefield, Town, Cemeteries, Field Hospital Sites, and other Topics of Historical Interest (see my review here) have returned with yet another must have for those interested in Gettysburg.

Hundreds of thousands of pages have been written about the battle of Gettysburg with more being churned out each year. With that in mind you may find yourself wondering what makes this book different and why should I shell out my $20 for it. Let the authors themselves tell you why: "To the best of our knowledge a book like this--with its varied stories, facts, statistics photos, illustrations, original maps, and so much more did not exist."

This is a perfect book for an introduction to the battle no matter the age of the reader. Included within its pages are five distinct sections: Did You Know, Gettysburg Voices, the Gettysburg Campaign, Images of Gettysburg, and Gettysburg Today. While each serve as a great introduction to this complex battle there is information for those more advanced as well. Are you interested in the weather conditions during the battle? You will find it here. Did any soldiers who fought here win the Medal of Honor? Check and find out. Would you like a good basic introduction to the battle without the time commitment of Coddington, Trudeau, or Sears? This book will serve you well. Want to learn of current resources that will help in planning a trip? Let the experts show you where to begin. Did I mention a thirty plus page Order of Battle? See I told you there was something for the advanced student!

The book is nice sized and as expected from Savas Beatie it's a beaut! Printed on a nice glossy paper that is toned to make it look antique the book is loaded with period and modern photos. No fewer than two dozen maps created by Civil War Trust cartographer Steven Stanley adorn the pages and help bring the action in the text to life.

This is the type of book that can make planning a family vacation fun for everybody. There's good solid information that parents can use and the book can easily be shared with kids to help build their interest. Coupled with Petruzzi and Stanley's earlier book these should lead anybody to a full trip or give them a great start toward learning about the complex battle that took place in a small Pennsylvania town when Confederate soldiers went looking for shoes. Or did they? Read the book to find out!

Highly recommended!

I also recommend checking out the official website for The Complete Gettysburg Guide. There is a wealth of information

Thank you to my good friends at Savas Beatie for kindly supplying a complimentary review copy.

New Arrival--The New Gettysburg Campaign Handbook

Today I received a much anticipated package from my good friends at Savas Beatie. They have been kind enough to send along a review copy of NEW GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN HANDBOOK, THE: Facts, Photos, and Artwork for Readers of All Ages, June 9 - July 14, 1863 (Savas Beatie Handbook) written by J. David Petruzzi and Steven Stanley.

For those who have read my review of J.D. and Steve's earlier book, COMPLETE GETTYSBURG GUIDE: Walking and Driving Tours of the Battlefield, Town, Cemeteries, Field Hospital Sites, and other Topics of Historical Interest, you know I feel their work is top notch. A quick thumb through this book shows it to have the makings of a winner as well. It has been fast tracked to the top of my reading pile and I hope to have a more full review up shortly.

Book Review--Sickles at Gettysburg

Hessler, James. SICKLES AT GETTYSBURG: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg Savas Beatie, El Dorado Hills, CA. Index, bibliography, notes, maps, b/w photos. 490 pages, 406 pages text*, ISBN 9781932714845, $22.95

Few Civil War subjects lend themselves to as many questions and as much controversy as Daniel Sickles. Praised by some and vilified by more Sickles is as dividing a figure in Civil War history as there is. In his masterful work Sickles at Gettysburg author James Hessler, while leaving the decision as to Sickles legacy to the reader, puts him out there with all his wrinkles.

Dan Sickles life is a remarkable collection of stories that are woven together with skill in a way that makes each piece vital to the whole story. While primarily covering Sickles actions at Gettysburg, Hessler includes the rest of Sickles life and this helps show readers the pattern of arrogance that Sickles showed throughout his entire life.

Sickles' political career began when he associated himself with the Tammany Hall Democrats and continued rising with his election to the New York Assembly in 1847. During this time he was what might be called a playboy and even his 1852 marriage did not slow this down. In 1855 he was elected to the New York Senate and in 1856 was elected to the U.S. Congress. Tiring of her husband's free ways Teresa Sickles took part in an affair of her own with Philip Barton Key. Sickles ultimately murdered Key and the resulting trial produced a not guilty verdict with what now may be called a temporary insanity defense. Hessler traces the trial and evidence effectively showing the male dominated society of the time.

The Civil War is the next big event in Sickles life and here he uses his political skill to continue receiving bigger and larger appointments. Sickles contacts and recruiting abilities eventually landed himself command of the III Corps as a Major General. Sickles certainly was what would be called a political general. Sickles role at Chancellorsville and his famous role at Gettysburg are covered in depth. Sickles unwillingness to follow orders while at  Gettysburg is of course legendary and his move from Meade's fishhook forward to the Wheatfield thus leaving Little Round Top uncovered will be debated as long as the Civil War is studied. It can be argued that his move was genius by tying up Longstreet's men or that it could have proven a disaster and without luck and skill from others have cost the Union the battle. Ultimately we all know what happened but Hessler gives us plenty of ammunition with which to make our own decisions.

After Sickles injury at Gettysburg much of the rest of his life is spent attempting to promote his war legacy most often at the expense of General George Meade. Post war oddities such as his late in life friendship with Confederate General James Longstreet and also the controversy of Sickles being awarded the Medal of Honor more than 30 years after the war are adequately covered as well. Perhaps Sickles great legacy however were his battlefield preservation efforts. Until 1974 Gettysburg National Military Park boundaries were set based upon maps produced by Sickles. And while Sickles himself does not have a monument (well, we all know the whole battlefield is his monument) he does have a road name after him and he was also an early proponent of there being both Union and Confederate markers on the field.

This is an excellent book that will no doubt be a starting point for future research on Sickles. A full bibliography and detailed end notes show the depth of the research Hessler has done. Illustrated with maps from Brad Gottfried and printed on high quality paper this is the standard from noted publisher Savas Beatie. Highly recommended!

Hessler is the winner of the 2009 Bachelder-Coddington Literary Award from the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table of Central New Jersey and was also a finalist for the Army Historical Foundation's Biography category for the 2009 Distinguished Writing Award.

For further information please check this Facebook page or the Sickles at Gettysburg web page.

* Page counts are based upon the hardcover version which is what I read. ISBN and price information is based upon the trade paperback.

Upcoming Review--Failure in the Saddle

Thank you to my friends at Savas Beatie for sending a review copy of Failure in the Saddle: Nathan Bedford Forrest, Joe Wheeler, and the Confederate Cavalry in the Chickamauga Campaign written by David A. Powell.

Mr. Powell was recently awarded the Richard Barksdale Harwell Book Award by the Civil War Round Table of Atlanta for this work.

Upcoming Review--Sickles at Gettysburg

OK so I'm a bit late getting to this party. However better late than never. I recently finished reading Sickles at Gettysburg.  What a great read. James Hessler has written a wonderful book here that should stand as a key starting point for future Sickles research. Anyway, to tide you over until I get my review written here is a link to an interview Mr. Hessler did with the Civil War Trust. Thanks to Sarah Keeney at Savas Beatie for suggesting this.

Savas Beatie Book Trailer: Valley Thunder

Savas Beatie has posted a new video book trailer for Valley Thunder: The Battle of New Market. Check it out here. Looks like another winner. So many great books are out there now I just can't find time for all of them.

Savas Beatie--Book Trailers

Still going through email from my internet outage. I came across this really cool item announcing the new color version of The Maps of Gettysburg by Bradley Gottfried published by Savas Beatie. Click on this video link for more information. I've already got the b/w version but will have to look into getting the color one. Looks like another winner from this fine publisher!