Grant Comes East

Rating:
Summary: A ripping good read! A must for Civil War buffs.
Review: "Grant Comes East" is the perfect title for this novel, because that is what the novel is about. This is, of course, the second installment in the authors' alternate Civil War history. In "Gettysburg-A Novel of the Civil War" the authors tell the story of an alternate history in which Lee defeated Meade by flanking him at Gettysburg. Now, in this second novel, Lee marches on Washington and Baltimore as Grant moves to the Eastern theater to take command of Union forces after Lee's defeat of General Meade. No spoilers here.

I liked this one better than "Gettysburg-A Novel of the Civil War." I felt that the writing was better and the novel was actually more plausible. In "Gettysburg" Lee does everything right, and Meade does about everything wrong. This offended my sense of fairness, since I happen to believe that Meade thoroughly out-generalled Lee at Gettysburg, and would not have done the stupid things that "Gettysburg" has him doing. In "Grant Comes East" most of the characters act more plausibly, with foibles on both sides. The authors do paint a pretty negative picture of General Sickles. I don't know enough about him to really have an opinion as to whether this is fair or not.

The prose in the novel is good, and the authors did a good job of keeping me turning the pages--I truly wanted to know what was going to happen next, and the novel kept me guessing. The storyline moves at a very brisk pace with no draggy interludes. This one is less predictable than was "Gettysburg." Nothing offended my sense of credulity, as "Gettysburg" did at times. By the way, the authors' treatment of Lincoln is very compelling and seemed to me to be true to life. Judah Benjamin (Secretary of State of the Confederacy) and Jefferson Davis are also nicely done here as well.

Overall, there is a great deal to like about this novel and series. Again, I liked this second installment quite a bit better than I did the first. We all now impatiently await the third installment of the series.

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent, entertaining, and plausible "what ifs"
Review: Although I am not a Civil War buff, I thoroughly enjoyed this continuation to one of the greatest "what-ifs" in American history. After finishing the amazing "Gettysburg," I was worried that the next book would simply go too far afield into the realm of impossibility. But it seems, at least from some of the research that I've done, that the authors keep true to the spirit of the characters.

I love the character studies of Grant and his temptation of alcohol, Lincoln and his challenge of holding together the union against a background of politcal backstabbing, and of course Lee with his challenge of leading his army to victory after victory
without wasting his manpower.

What stands out most to me is the intense discussion between Benjaman and Lee of emancipating the southern slaves and allowing them into the army.

Finally, though I miss Henry Hunt and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in this volume, I'm pretty sure we'll see them again in the third installment.

I think, to enjoy this series at its fullest, you should ready Shaara's "Killer Angels" as many other reviewers have said.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Alternate History
Review: As a Civil War buff and history fan in general, I eagerly devoured Newt Gingrich's previous alternate history book, Gettysburg, and having thoroughly enjoyed it, looked forward to his sequel, Grant Comes East. After starting the book, I ran through it in less than two days, relishing every page. Grant Comes East is a masterful piece of the age-old what might have been genre. Gingrich marvelously writes his characters, Grant, Lincoln, and Lee most famously, but also those less known to history such as Union Generals Haupt and Sickles. Haupt is the Union general in charge of logistics and supply of the army (what I found to be a refreshing inclusion) and is highlighted throughout the story as a miracle worker, shifting men and supplies across the Union to confront the threat Lee's army now poses to Washington. While Sickles, the somewhat erratic Union general and Tammany crony (who in actuality lost his leg at Gettysburg), maneuvers himself into command of the remnants of the Army of the Potomac and eagerly looks forward to capturing glory prior to the 1864 election.

Gingrich does well to keep a great sense of realism throughout a book that hinges on a particularly hypothetical event. Realpolitik and maneuvering are still a fact of life in both the Union and Confederate governments- neither has any foolish, idealistic realizations in the wake of the North's previous defeat. Jefferson Davis and Judah Benjamin (the Confederate Secretary of State) are both brought into the fray and work calculatingly to increase the South's chances of foreign recognition in Europe.

Overall, Grant Comes East is a superbly done, well written "what if" that captures both the wonderful character portraits of a Jeff Shaara novel and the historical possibilities of a Harry Turtledove novel without the blemishes of either. I highly recommend this book for Civil War buffs as well as though with a passing interest in our nation's history.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling!
Review: Being a civil war buff, especially when it comes to Gettysburg, I have been anxiously awaiting this novel since I read the first of this series. What I really love is the close relationship that I, as a reader, develop with each of the main characters, regardless of which side they are on. Traditionally, I have always found myself rooting silently for the Union. However, in these books I get attached to both sides and am transported to the battlefields, sharing in the agony and the glory.
The alternate history concept is just plain fun. The many "what if" questions that have been raised and the ensuing debates about Lee's choices at Gettysburg are explored here in great depth. Dr. Forstchen's Ph.D. in civil war history is evident as well as the copius research done to prepare for these books.
As far as "Grant Comes East," is concerned, I was amazed that it was actually better than book one. To me, the sequence of events in book one were pretty predictable having hypothesized similar scenarios myself. But I never took them past the "Lee gets around Mead and heads for Washington," stage. I love being taken beyond the first day in such riveting detail.
I can't wait for book three!

Rating:
Summary: Grant Comes East
Review: I bought this book for my husband for Fathers Day. He is a real civil war buff, union fan at that. He began reading and simply could not put it down. He said it was a book he actually hated putting down but also hated knowing that the more he read the closer he was to finishing it. He has requested the 1st one about Gettysburg and is already anticipating the coming of the 3rd book in this series. It was fun to see my husband enjoying a book like my children enjoy their toys at christmas. Love it and Five Stars.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I can't wait for the 3rd book to come out. The descriptive writing makes you feel as though what was written could have actually happened.

Bravo to both authors.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put it down!
Review: I disagree with a few points Speaker Gingrich has in this book. After the crushing defeat inflicted on the Army of the Potomac, it is doubtful that the Union would have had the will to continue the fight. As it was, many favored just chucking the war and letting the South go as late as the Fall of 1864. Some historians argue that Sherman's March to Sea of September, 1864 was what saved Lincoln's Presidency from the "peace candidate" McClellan and thus the war effort itself.

I believe that all the South would have to do is last until the 1864 election and its independence would have been guaranteed.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book greatly, and it was well written. Speaker Gingrich's opinion was well-presented and an enjoying read that I could not put down. I much look forward to the third installment!

Rating:
Summary: Great book !!
Review: I loved not just "Grant Comes East" but also "Gettysburg" as well. These books are written as an alternative history to the American Civil War if only General Lee had taken a different option prior to day 2 of the battle of Gettysburg.
In the first novel, Lee stays true to form and turns the battle against the Norther Army into a battle of 'manuver' instead of a straight up battle of attrition that Gettysburg became on day 2 and day 3.
Many historians argue about Lee's state of mind ( was he ill and fatigued ) and to the possiblities of his tactics as well as how he managed his 2 new corps commanders ( Hill and Ewel ).
In the first book - Lee is more hands on and does not allow his subordinates to make the mistakes that they do.
Obviously, in the first book, Lee comes out victorious.
In the second book - Lee has no choice but to turn over control of the army to the only effective commander that he had - Grant.
The book gives a great portrit of Grant as a man and commander as well as insite into how Lee's campaign would have evolved had he be successful against Meade.
Also - in the second book - Grant is forced to bring much of his army of the west with him as the Army of the Patomic has been nearly destroyed. I belive that this would have happened if the AOTP had been destroyed - no need to leave forces in the west when the major theater was in the east.
Obviously, the campaign was NOT about feeding his troops but bringing the Union to its knees - feeding his troops and taking the war north was only an added benefit to the war ravaged N. Virginia countyside.

I can't wait till next summer when book 3 comes out ( also sorta looking forward to Star Wars III as well!! LOL )

Rating:
Summary: Improvement over Gettysburg
Review: I would only give "Gettysburg" 3 stars, but "Grant Comes East" is much better. I actually reread "Gettysburg" and felt better about it for having read this book. I remember Grant's words at Lee's Surrender: Never before have good men fought so hard for so infamous a cause. It is important to look at the characters as they would have seen each other. The Union soldiers truly respected their Confederate opponents with the exception of the guerillas.

Rating:
Summary: Much more than 5 stars are deserved!
Review: If Gettysburg was phenomenal, I am at a loss for adjectives after just completing Grant Comes East! I've read a lot of Civil War novels, and this was the best since The Killer Angels. Even though this was a novel, and alternate history at that, the realism was astounding! The portrayals of Lee, Grant, Longstreet, Lincoln, and Sickles were especially true to character. I found the entire premise to be plausible, the politics so insightful that I almost felt THIS was the way it really happened. There was no wild speculation or far-fetched theories to live with in this book. "Gettysburg" began the story, with the slight detour that made all the difference--Lee listened to Longstreet, formulated a better plan, and avoided the fateful defeat at Gettysburg. This worthy sequel took the war down a different path, and absolutely every aspect was handled masterfully. Gingrich and Fortschen make a great team. I hated for the book to end, but was elated to see that it's not over...there has to be at least one more masterpiece forthcoming. Newt, please stay off the talk shows long enough to write the next installment, because I CAN'T STAND THE WAIT!!!