Rating: 
Summary: Best single-topic civil war book I have read
Review: I learned at least as much about how armies and officers operate from this book as from any 2 I have read, and it's a darn good read too.
Rating:
Summary: A Primer On The Mechanics Of Command Decisions In Battle
Review: It's extremely difficult to crawl into the minds of military commanders who fought more than a hundred years before the author decides to chronicle their stories. Stephen Sears manages to pull it off with remarkable skill and clarity. His assumptions are not guesses. They are conclusions reached by the rebuilding of events, situations (both political and military) and memorabilia that led to the command decisions arrived at on both sides of the Rappahannock.
I'm sure many historians will write off Sears' defense of Mr. F.J. Hooker's role at Chancellorsville. They'll call it "revisionist" and claim he goes too far. Yet when you take into consideration not only what happened at Chancellorsville, but also what occurred two months later at Gettysburg, it's very difficult to argue against his conclusions. Lee was fortunate to escape with his head at Chancellorsville and it's no wonder he concluded that providence was on his side - an attitude that clearly ran through his decisions in the latter campaign.
Christians are aware of the words of Solomon, "Time and chance befall us all." Sears does an excellent job of detailing just how time and chance took their toll of the commanders at Chancellorsville. This is an excellent work and I recommend it to anyone interested in the mechanics of a Civil War campaign.
Rating: 
Summary: A Strong "Stand Alone" but Stronger Complement
Review: On their own, Sears' one volume books on major Civil War battles in the Eastern theatre are always meticulous, well crafted and interesting. Chancellorsville is no different. This book differs from predecessors in trying to absolve Hooker of much of the blame, from Stoneman's raid to the 11th Corps on the 2nd, to Hooker's injury on the 3rd and to the 6th Corps entire campaign. Sears does pay lip service to Hooker's clearest mistakes (like abandoning Hazel Run), but he constantly tries to absolve blame or even explain away Hooker's brash General Orders as an attempt to inspire troop confidence. Most importantly, as is probably the case with all battles that have multiple contemporary accounts, Sears's book and Furgurson's book are very good complements, both in analysis and detailed events of the narratives. For example, Sears' book covers a lot more on the BMI's activities during the battle, while Furgurson's coverage on the 8th Penn. cavalry charge is considerably lengthier than Sears's. One thing that stands out in my mind is Sears's ability to find strong primary sources, whether they're from Paul Revere's grandson, a future Supreme Court justice, or one touching account about a Georgian sending his wife a letter about their son's death at Chancellorsville and then dying himself at Gettysburg. These obviously give the book a more human touch and make it easier to read. I'm not sure which book I like more between Furgurson's and Sears's: they're both equal and I think it benefits a reader to read both of them. Regardless, you won't go wrong with any of Sears's books, Chancellorsville included.
Rating:
Summary: A Strong "Stand Alone" but Stronger Complement
Review: On their own, Sears' one volume books on major Civil War battles in the Eastern theatre are always meticulous, well crafted and interesting. Chancellorsville is no different. This book differs from predecessors in trying to absolve Hooker of much of the blame, from Stoneman's raid to the 11th Corps on the 2nd, to Hooker's injury on the 3rd and to the 6th Corps entire campaign. Sears does pay lip service to Hooker's clearest mistakes (like abandoning Hazel Run), but he constantly tries to absolve blame or even explain away Hooker's brash General Orders as an attempt to inspire troop confidence. Most importantly, as is probably the case with all battles that have multiple contemporary accounts, Sears's book and Furgurson's book are very good complements, both in analysis and detailed events of the narratives. For example, Sears' book covers a lot more on the BMI's activities during the battle, while Furgurson's coverage on the 8th Penn. cavalry charge is considerably lengthier than Sears's. One thing that stands out in my mind is Sears's ability to find strong primary sources, whether they're from Paul Revere's grandson, a future Supreme Court justice, or one touching account about a Georgian sending his wife a letter about their son's death at Chancellorsville and then dying himself at Gettysburg. These obviously give the book a more human touch and make it easier to read. I'm not sure which book I like more between Furgurson's and Sears's: they're both equal and I think it benefits a reader to read both of them. Regardless, you won't go wrong with any of Sears's books, Chancellorsville included.
Rating:
Summary: Detailed, Exciting Story of Civil War's Most Complex Battle
Review: Richly detailed and well told story of the Battle of Chancellorsville. Sears does his usual job of thoroughly telling a Civil War story in an engrossing manner. The Battle of Chancellorsville was arguably the most complex battle of the Civil War -- featuring wide flanking movements by both the Union and Confederate forces, moments of "truth" for both sides (Jackson's movement and hit on Hooker's left flank; Hooker's hesitation in front of Catherine Furnace), memorable charactors and high drama -- including the wounding of Jackson. Using many first person accounts and very good research, Sears puts it all into an incredible story. Of note is his favorable treatment of Hooker -- somewhat revisionist but very well documented and argued. I imagine most readers will come away convinced that Hooker was somewhat ill treated by Lincoln and history for his handling of the battle. All in all a great Civil War read.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing, highly readable, and, best of all, revelatory
Review: Sear's has written the best Civil War battle history I have read in several years. This continues the series of excellent,
readable books he started with his books on Antietam and The Peninsula Campaign but this is a superior book. This
book has clear and insightful interpretation that made me rethink the understanding I had
formed of Gen'l Hooker and of the entire Chancellorsville
campaign from reading other coverage of this battle from numerous authors. Hooker comes across as a flawed but much
sinned against leader victimized by subordinates, chance,
and the "bad karma" from the legacy of George McClellan much more than as the inept egotist outwitted by Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson presented by other authors. I found myself rethinking much I felt I "knew" about this battle and rereading other books to reexamine their assumptions and presentation of Hooker and the battle. Simply a first rate book that any Civil War
buff or general military or American history fan should
read. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great Insight of the Union Command at Chancellorsville
Review: Sears always offers superior detail on what went on within the Union command structure before and during the subject battle. This works very well in the battle of Chancellorsville as Hooker, unpopular with his generals, catches Lee by surprise and crosses 70k troops the Rappahannock on Lee's west flank with 30K with Sedgwick in his front at Fredericksburg. Wonderfully executed but things unravel and not all due to Hookers personal failures. Sears in detail notes the failure of Stoneman's failed cavalry raid that not only does not cut Lee's communications but he takes himself out of the battle altogether along with any ability to screen the army or provide intelligence. The failed telegraph that continually delays communication to the apprehensive Sedgwick only contributes to his sloth like movements along with Gibbon's confused feel that he is an independent command and does not aid Sedgwick by any means. Sears makes it clear that Hooker wanted to fight defensively to inflict casualties on Lee's army for a change but the Wilderness does not make the best defensive ground as it not only impairs visibility but reduces the Union artillery which is one of Hooker's failings since he pulled General Hunt out overall command of the artillery. Hooker loses the initiative early and combined with Sickles confused perspective, that Lee is in retreat which in reality was only Jackson's flank march, sets up Jackson's crushing flank attack on the west side of Hooker's line held weakly by Howard's 11th corps whose commander is elsewhere on the field. One of the 11ths division heads also ignores pleas to turn the line west in expectation of an attack. Sears aptly puts to rest that Hooker did not so much lose his head in battler but suffered a concussion from a section of exploding pillar. His inability to pass command contributed to the failure of the Union to centralize their command of the field at the time that Jackson's units seemingly were over running the union's south and western line. This is a very good book to read on Chancellorsville because it was probably the most high stakes battle combined with great daring by both sides
while Sears give you insider information on the decision making of not only the Union but of of Lee, Jackson and Esarly alonmg with the Union Command's. Sears also captures Lee's inate ability to intiate the attack with confidence not only in his troops but in his assurance that his opponent lacks the confidence necessary to win battles. Sears in particular captures these traits in Lee but perhaps at Gettysburg there is an exception to the latter, Meade is now in command.
Rating:
Summary: In Defense of Joe Hooker
Review: Sears earns high marks for applying extensive research in examing the details of this complex campaign - from the after effects of Fredricksburg to the march North that ended with Gettysburg. This is probably the definitive work on the sequence of events at the tactical level. However, Sears is exposed to be among the growing group of historians bent on debunking the myth of Southern superiority - in generalship and soldiering. The facts are that Hooker enjoyed a two-to-one numerical advantage, superior logistics support and the element of surprise by seizing the initiative - yet he was still defeated by Lee's Army of Northern Virginia (with Longstreet absent with two-thirds of his corps). Sears would have us believe that Hooker's Army of the Potomac was defeated because of a rare combination of bad luck, random, uncontrollable interruptions in communications and poor performance by subordinate commanders. All points well taken and clearly articiulated in this book - but without the recognition that Hooker mis-handled the campaign at the critical juncture when victory was within his grasp. The Army of the Potomac deserved better leadership than Hooker could ultimately provide. Hooker clearly lacked the vision and resolve to lead his army to final victory in the fog of war beyond pre-laid plans. Chancellorsillve was typical of Civil War battles in that pre-conceived plans and effective communications evaporated at first contact with the enemy. Lee adapted real-time as the campaign presented itself, seized the initiative dropped by Hooker and risked all in a bold gamble which proved tactically decisive. Sears' commentary is very interesting, worthwhile reading, but is ultimately revisionist history.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Civil War reading
Review: Sears has written us another masterwork. It's extremely well-researched and full of first-person observations about the characters, the landscape, the glory, and the terror. Sears has some very good theories on the sources of failure for what began as a very promising campaign. If I were to wish for more in this text, it would be greater insight into Lee's perceptions and motivations and some of the dramatic flair and political analysis Sears brought to his accounts of Antietam and the Peninsula campaign
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: Sears is perhaps one of the best authors of this epic chapter in American History. This book was outstanding from beginning to end. I particularly enjoyed his description of Hooker and his successful plans, despite having a change of heart at a crucial point of the battle. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Civil War battles. I look forward to reading all of Sears' titles.
| 
