Lincoln Finds A General -Volume Three - Grant's First Year in the West

The series was originally conceived as a way to answer the question "How did Lincoln choose Grant?" It became a study of command in the Civil War, focusing on the Union side. Williams' extensive experience as an officer of the US Army, at a time when many of its methods were the same as those during the Civil war, clearly show in his writing. From the details of how horses pull artillery, to the problems of officers on detached missions, the reader is given a wealth of detail and color. The books are one of the few ways for a reader to see the Civil War as a whole, and from the Union side. Williams is never shy of making his views known, and he supports his conclusions with numerous citations of the "Official Records" and other primary sources. He makes the reader aware of just how difficult it was for a commander to know what was happening on the large Civil War battle fields, and area of operations. He describes in the detail the restrictions that the commanders had, as well as how those conditions applied to both sides. He also gives his evaluation of how well the commanders performed in their duties. The series is essential reading for anyone wanting a deeper look into Union operations, and how the various theaters interacted.