Tag Archives: biography

Civil War Podcast, Episode 95

POSTSCRIPT: FORREST’S BREAKOUT

In which we talk a bit about Nathan Bedford Forrest’s background and then take a closer look at his escape from Fort Donelson on February 16, 1862.

Our book recommendation for this episode is A Battle from the Start: The Life of Nathan Bedford Forrest by Brian Steel Wills.

“A Battle from the Start is direct, fast-paced, and totally absorbing. Nathan Bedford Forrest comes vibrantly alive- not, perhaps, as a man to be loved, but certainly as one who merits the closest consideration. He is shown to be one of the Civil War’s ablest, most aggressive, and most interesting commanders.” ~ Richard Wheeler, author of On Fields of Fury

Listen to Episode 95: PostscriptForrestsBreakout

Civil War Podcast, Bonus Episode

ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON

Albert Sidney Johnston (1803-1862)

In which we give you a short episode about the life of Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston.

Our book recommendation for this episode is Albert Sidney Johnston: Soldier of Three Republics by Charles P. Roland.

“A masterly biography of a man cast in the heroic mold.” ~ Journal of American History

Listen to Bonus Episode: http://civilwarpodcast.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-albert-sidney-johnston

Civil War Podcast, Episode 80

ULYSSES S. GRANT (Part the Second)

In which we continue with our look at Grant’s life story, bringing him up to speed with the podcast timeline.

Our book recommendation for this episode is U.S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth by Joan Waugh.

“Joan Waugh’s eagerly awaited and important book on Grant is original and provocative. She writes with an astute perspective on how each contextual stop along the way in her history of Grant’s memory is really all about the politics of that particular moment. This book will make a lasting mark in Civil War history.” ~ David Blight

Listen to Episode 80: UlyssesGrantPartSecond

Civil War Podcast, Episode 79

ULYSSES S. GRANT (Part the First)

In which we set out to tell U.S. Grant’s life story and bring it up to speed with the point where we find ourselves on the podcast timeline- November, 1861.

Our book recommendation for this episode is Ulysses S. Grant: Triumph over Adversity, 1822-1865 by Brooks D. Simpson.

“Brooks Simpson has crafted a superb military biography. His Ulysses S. Grant is exhaustively researched, impressively judicious, and eminently readable, giving us an objective and penetrating look at an important and enigmatic American, warts and all. Simpson’s book is destined to stand as our generation’s definitive study of Grant. If your bookshelf has space for only one Grant biography, this is the one that should be there.” ~ Gordon C. Rhea

Listen to Episode 79: UlyssesGrantPartFirst

Civil War Podcast, Episode 40

ROBERT E. LEE

In which we use this episode to give a short biography of Robert E. Lee, up to April 1861 when he resigned his commission in the U.S. Army and accepted command of Virginia’s military forces.

Our book recommendation this time is Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters by Elizabeth Brown Pryor.

“To most, Robert E. Lee is a beloved tragic figure of a bygone war- remembered by history as stoic and brave but without a true emotional life. Using dozens of previously unpublished letters as a departure point, Pryor sheds new light on every aspect of this complex and contradictory general, and questions our own understanding of loyalty and patriotism. This tantalizing glimpse of a legendary hero’s guarded soul will astonish and fascinate not only Civil War buffs, but anyone interested in this nation’s history.”

Listen to Episode 40: RobertELee

Civil War Podcast, Episode 27

JEFFERSON DAVIS (Part the Second)

In which we continue the biographical sketch of Jefferson Davis’s life in order to bring him up to speed with where we are on the podcast timeline, the year 1861. We end this episode by taking a look at the formation of the Confederate cabinet.

Our book recommendation for this episode is The Confederate Nation: 1861-1865 by Emory M. Thomas.

“Drawing on his own research and the voluminous historical literature, Thomas has provided an original and readable narrative of the Confederate experience.” ~ Eric Foner

Listen to Episode 27: JeffersonDavisPartSecond

Civil War Podcast, Episode 26

JEFFERSON DAVIS (Part the First)

In which we use a special two-part biography of Jefferson Davis to bring his life up to speed with where we currently are on the podcast timeline, the year 1861.

Our book recommendation for this episode is Jefferson Davis, American by William J. Cooper, Jr.

“Jefferson Davis lived seventy-seven of his eighty-one years as an American, and only four as president of the Confederacy. Yet it is for those four years he is chiefly remembered. William J. Cooper’s splendid biography- the best yet- does good service in reminding us that even during his years at war with the United States, Davis professed to be fighting for American institutions and ideals as he understood them.” ~ James M. McPherson

Listen to Episode 26: JeffersonDavisPartFirst