A Civil General
by David Stinebeck and Scannell Gill
Published by Sunstone Press
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Diane Snyder
This novel is less about the Civil War and more about one man who made a difference to the people during that period. That man was Brigadier General George Henry Thomas. General Thomas was born and raised in Virginia, was a close friend to Robert E. Lee, but when the time came to choose sides, Thomas joined the Union army.
That choice severed all ties with his Southern family and brought him under constant suspicion by the Northern military leaders. At the start of the Rebellion, Thomas, who already had a long and impressive military career that had gained him respect and honors for his actions in the Florida and Mexican Wars, was an artillery instructor at West Point.
Thomas served with the Army of the Cumberland and became known as the Rock of Chickamauga even though Chickamauga was his worst defeat. It was in this battle that the true nature of the man and his convictions became apparent to all those who served with him–from officers to the most lowly recruit. Throughout the war years, neither that nature nor those convictions were ever compromised. He continued to train his men at every opportunity, believing that the training would not only make them better fighting men but safer as well. According to the authors, one of the reasons Thomas joined the Union Army was his belief that in that position he could look out for the boys on both sides of the Conflict.
Thomas never curried the favors of those in higher command than he, nor did he become political. He even turned down several offers of advancements and commands. This, of course, fueled the suspicions of some and the jealously of others as Thomas’ brilliance as a military leader was proven again and again.
There are many books about the Civil War and occasionally one rises to the top. A Civil General is certainly one of those. Based on the true life of Thomas, the battles and settings. The main people are real with some the characters and their interactions being fictional.
Armchair Interviews says: Anyone who reads about the Civil War will like this one.