Why the Confederacy Lost

by Gabor S. Boritt

Book Overview

After the Civil War, someone asked General Pickett why the Battle of Gettysburg had been lost: Was it Lee's error in taking the offensive, the tardiness of Ewell and Early, or Longstreet's hesitation in attacking? Pickett scratched his head and replied, "I've always thought the Yankees had something to do with it." This simple fact, writes James McPherson, has escaped a generation of historians who have looked to faulty morale, population, economics,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 019507405X
• ISBN13: 9780195074055
• Release Date: April 1992
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A fresh view (at the time it was written)

Loved this book. It gets beyond the myths and legends (especially surounding southern prowess)to give what it deems the most significant factors of why the south lost. Although some of these concepts have become more accepted in recent years, at the time I read this, this book was the first place I saw these ideas. As a general rule, it see's both sides as having an equal chance at the start of the war. The "advantages" the north had were actually necessary for them to have any hope of victory considering the disadvantage of being the agressor in a time when the defense had tremendous advantage, and having to subdue an entire population. The southern "advantages" of interior lines, defensive fighting and a more military culture were the only reason they had a chance and were as successful as they were. Basically, it ws even-Steven starting out, and here's why the south lost. Great book.

Scholarly and informative.

Mr Boritt does an outstanding job in bringing together several noted historians under one roof. Each author goes to the key underlying tones and brings the reader right to the point without dragging him through endless studies of tactics and military leadership.This work is well balanced and sheds light into a subject that is often talked about but very rarely on an educated playing field. Too often basic tactics and strategy are molded together using 20th Century research methods to explain past issues and ideals. This work does not suffer from that finite method of study. The ". . .hard-won triumph of the North was far from inevitable." How very true! This book is a must for every Civil War bookshelf.