Dark and Bloody Ground: The Battle of Mansfield and the Forgotten Civil War in Louisiana

Rating:
Summary: NOT WHAT THE TITLE IMPLIES
Review: First: This is one great book. For someone not wanting to spend lots of money and time reading the WBTS in Louisiana, this book is one stop shopping. Second: two problems. Where are the maps! No maps, no battlefield dispositions, nada. The Battle of Sabine Crossroads (a.k.a.Mansfield) is covered in one chapter. I thought this was what the book was to be about. Still waiting for the one great book about this little explored battle. BUT, I loved the book. The author's style is excellent, his anecdotes were wonderful. BUY THIS BOOK.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, bad title
Review: I enjoyed the book very much and would highly recommend it. As another reviewer suggested, however, the book's subtitle is misleading. The focus of the book is one the Civil War in Louisiana generally and on the military career of Dick Taylor. Both subjects are very interesting. I have a peculiar interest in the Battle of Mansfield. The treatment of that battle is relatively brief and not entirely clear, to me at least, perhaps because of the absence of maps. If you're not disappointed by what the book isn't, you'll probably enjoy what it is.

Rating:
Summary: A GOOD BOOK
Review: I grew up in Louisiana and grew up on stories of the War Between the States. Over the years I've read just about any book or article concerning Louisiana's Civil War soldiers and battles, which I could get my hands on. "Dark & Bloody Ground" is by far the best, in my opinion! Author, Thomas Ayres has done his homework and presents a well researched story of the Civil War in Louisiana...but it is his writing that raises "Dark and Bloody Ground above the rest. Here is the story of General Dick Taylor and the men of a out-numbered little Rebel army, told as only a talented writer could tell it. I had already read his book, "That's Not in My American History Book and found it extremely entertaining...so I was eager to read his new Civil War book....Even Better! To often classroom "historians" lose the real story in their obsession to cram a book with every possible fact and stat, forgetting it is the people who fought the Civil War that hold a reader's interest...at least mine. Thomas Ayres brings the men and women of that time to life and allows you so see them,laugh and cry with them. That's the best thing about "Dark and Bloody Ground."
I hope this author is busy writing another one, because the first two are winners!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Civil War History of Louisiana
Review: The book was an easy and interesting read that keeps you turning the pages and not wanting to put the book down. Though the title can be misleading, as the majority of the book focuses on the war in Louisiana, the Battle of Mansfield is the climax of the book. I would definately recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good historical read on the impact of the Civil War on Louisniana. After finishing the book I became a Gen. Richard Taylor fan. Good reading!

Rating:
Summary: I really enjoyed "Dark and Bloody Ground" Great reading!
Review: Thomas Ayres has included all the details
of the Union army's Red River advance and all
the battle details of the Battle of Mansfield
BUT he has accomplished this in a wonderful
storytelling style. You don't feel you're
getting a history lesson, but rather feel like
you're getting a close-up look at the men (and
women)and events that shaped this last Confed-
erate victory. A very well written book!

Rating:
Summary: Mansfield Battlefield is no longer a foot note
Review: Thomas Ayres has opened the eyes of history buffs everywhere who study the Civil War. His directness and full fledged content of all applicable events are superb and challenging. His style draws you to the next page with anticipation to see what happens next. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read more about the Civil War in Louisiana and ultimately realizing that this battle was not just a footnote in history as so many historians have relegated it to.