I had to read this for work as a part of leadership training. While I found it hard to get through, I did develop a new appreciaton for these two great American leaders.
I bought this book thinking I would get two great biographies in one about two of the most fascinating leaders in history. The information that was provided on both of them was simply nothing new.
A recommended reading for all current and would-be leaders to learn from two different personalities facing each other on opposite sites of 'winners takes all' situation. A subtle dissection of characters, situations and events where a decision not only decides an outcome of life and death of hundreds and thousands of people like you and me, but also provides working material for historians, psychologists, military strategists and readers like you and me.
The book was in great condition and arrived timely. I would definitely buy from this vendor again!
If you're an American history buff (which I am), you will be engrossed in the analytical approach to the study of these generals' lives. If you're aspiring to a leadership position in ANY field of interest, it is a particularly interesting and informative read.
On the "Lee" side of the book, it buys into way too much mythology of "The Lost Cause" as part of its assessment of Lee as leader.
This is one of two excellent recently published books about Grant, the other being Charles Bracelen Flood's Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War. In this volume, Bowery focuses almost entirely on the Overland Campaign which began with "The Battle of the Wilderness" (May 4-6, 1864), continued during "The Battle of Spotsylvania" (May 9-12, 1864), and concluded with "The Battle of Cold Harbor" (May 31-June 7, 1864).
I served with Major Bowery in iraq, so maybe i'm prejudice, but this was a great read, and showed how leadership dictates battle.
This book should be of interest to anyone fascinated by either the Civil War or the art of leadership. First, Major Bowery gives a concise and readable explanation of the Overland Campaign, and the book can be read by the general reader for that alone.
