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Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Perspective on the Management of the Civil War
Review: I liked Charles Dana's book. It is breezy and topical, not detailed or exhaustive. But it does its job well.Mr. Dana had a uniqe perspective on the Civil War. First enlisted to go "out West" and check out "this General Grant" by Edwin Stanton, Dana soon became a trusted advisor to both the President and the Secretary of War. He apparently spent most of his war service in the field, at the side of various union generals so that Washington would have a trusted and immediate voice to report on what was really happening on the various fronts. His advice helped advance officers Dana thought effective and cashire those whose service was detrimental to the cause of the Union. His advice and counsel was also influential on various war policy issues. One belives that Dana had much to do in helping Grant, Sherman and others overcome their reputations and distance from Washington to reach their appointed places from where Union success ultimately sprung. He is a concise writer and offers strong opinions on personalities associated with the Union's management and prosecution of the war. These are interesting because Dana is often quoted in more recent books on the war. His story helps show why these quotes are meaningful as well as tells an interesting tale of an individual who can best be described as the highest ranking civilian in the field from 1863-1865. An interesting book from a unique vantage point.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Perspective on the Management of the Civil War
Review: I liked Charles Dana's book. It is breezy and topical, not detailed or exhaustive. But it does its job well. Mr. Dana had a uniqe perspective on the Civil War. First enlisted to go "out West" and check out "this General Grant" by Edwin Stanton, Dana soon became a trusted advisor to both the President and the Secretary of War. He apparently spent most of his war service in the field, at the side of various union generals so that Washington would have a trusted and immediate voice to report on what was really happening on the various fronts. His advice helped advance officers Dana thought effective and cashire those whose service was detrimental to the cause of the Union. His advice and counsel was also influential on various war policy issues. One belives that Dana had much to do in helping Grant, Sherman and others overcome their reputations and distance from Washington to reach their appointed places from where Union success ultimately sprung. He is a concise writer and offers strong opinions on personalities associated with the Union's management and prosecution of the war. These are interesting because Dana is often quoted in more recent books on the war. His story helps show why these quotes are meaningful as well as tells an interesting tale of an individual who can best be described as the highest ranking civilian in the field from 1863-1865. An interesting book from a unique vantage point.
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