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Crucible of Command: Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee--The War They Fought, the Peace They Forged, by William C. Davis
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They met in person only four times, yet these two men—Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee—determined the outcome of America's most divisive war and cast larger-than-life shadows over their reunited nation. They came from vastly different backgrounds: Lee from a distinguished family of waning fortunes; Grant, a young man on the make in a new America. Differing circumstances colored their outlooks on life: Lee, the melancholy realist; Grant, the incurable optimist.
Then came the Civil War that made them both commanders of armies, leaders of men, and heroes to the multitudes of Americans then and since who rightfully place them in the pantheon of our greatest soldiers. Forged in battle as generals, these two otherwise very different men became almost indistinguishable in their instincts, attributes, attitudes, and skills in command.
Each the subject of innumerable biographies, Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee have never before been paired as they are here. Exploring their personalities, their characters, their ethical and moral compasses, and their political and military worlds, William C. Davis, one of America's preeminent historians, uses substantial, newly discovered evidence on both men to find surprising similarities between them, as well as new insights and unique interpretations on how their lives prepared them for the war they fought and influenced how they fought it.
Crucible of Command is both a gripping narrative of the final year of the war and a fresh, revealing portrait of these two great commanders as they took each other's measure across the battlefield with the aid of millions of men.
- Sales Rank: #265484 in Books
- Published on: 2015-01-06
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.25" h x 6.25" w x 2.25" l, .0 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 688 pages
Review
A Main Selection of The History Book Club
Advance praise for Crucible of Command
"Dual biographies are famously difficult to pull off, but William C. Davis has done it with panache. His research in previously unexploited sources reveals new information and insights on both Grant and Lee. With narrative skill that shifts the focus back and forth between the two generals, Davis builds the tension as their careers converge toward the climax at Appomattox. Here we have something genuinely new in Civil War scholarship."—James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the New York Times bestseller Battle Cry of Freedom
"Magical and magisterial, William C. Davis's transportive joint biography truly brings these iconic warriors vividly to life., tracing their inevitably linked stories so compellingly that readers will be forgiven if they find themselves on the edge of their seats as the narrative hurtles toward an outcome they thought they already knew. Using primary sources with his customary commitment to originality, Davis manages to interpret the data both judiciously and jauntily. Frankly, I could not put this seductive book down."—Harold Holzer, author of Lincoln and the Power of the Press
"There are many volumes contrasting Lee and Grant, but William C. Davis has gone far beyond the typical wartime comparisons. This beautifully written and wonderfully entertaining study falls right into line with his other excellent works, and the side-by-side comparisons of the lives and growth of Lee and Grant offer far more than the usual examination of Civil War strategy. This is a surprisingly fresh addition to any Civil War library."—Jeff Shaara, New York Times bestselling author of Gods and Generals
"William C. Davis brings a vast familiarity with events and personalities of the Civil War to this engaging portrait of the conflict's two great military figures. With keen analysis and descriptive flair, Davis creates a narrative that plays out against an epic story. Even readers familiar with the basic outline of the generals' lives will read this book with pleasure and profit."—Gary W. Gallagher, author of The Union War
"This refreshingly new comparative study rises above overworked analyses of strategy and tactics and concentrates on character and personality. For those who like their history human, here is the starting point for an accurate understanding of what Lee and Grant meant—to each other as well as to the nation they molded."—James I. Robertson, Jr., author of Stonewall Jackson
Kirkus Reviews, 1/1/15
“One of Davis' chief contributions in this accessible, well-written study is to show how thoroughly politicized the war was…A fresh look at the sources and a careful eye to leadership and character places this book high atop the list of recent Civil War histories.”
Booklist, 1/1/15
“A solid pick for the Civil War collection.”
January Magazine, 1/13/15
“A magisterial dual biography that rises far, far above the average. Davis balances fact and research with searing action and penetrating personality. This very entertaining history is much more than the sum of its parts.”
InfoDad, 1/15/15
“Exhaustively researched…Attractive reading for the historically inclined.”
Harold Holzer, The Daily Beast, 11/6/14
“A real page-turner.”
Dennis Showalter, BookBurst.com
“Davis is not only a leading authority on the Civil War. He is among the most successful… Read more writers of intellectually solid history for general audiences…Articulate, provocative, and persuasive, this will appeal to a wide audience of specialists and general readers.”
Denver Post, 1/11/15
“Shows the Civil War generals as complex men.”
Kirkus Reviews e-newsletter, 1/20/15
“Best Books Out This Week.”
Publishers Weekly, 1/26/15
“[Davis] draws a multi-dimensional portrait of each man, succinctly capturing their particular skills, and uncovers some little-known facts…This meticulously researched, well-written book greatly enriches our understanding of each of these extraordinary figures and of the terrible war in which they fought.”
Roanoke Times, 1/25/15
“A one-volume parallel account of the lives of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee—the two key players who prosecuted the Civil War, brought the war to its inevitable conclusion and defined the peace that would follow…Davis is able to include the battles without alienating the casual reader of military history or boring the seasoned Civil War student…Reader-friendly prose…The use of fresh, primary sources distinguishes this work from that of the romantic rhapsodists and caustic critics whose careers are focused on perpetuating the myths that surround the lives of these two West Point graduates. Crucible of Command gives us the opportunity to learn the lessons of history so we can more easily avoid repetition.”
Miami Sun News, 1/26/15
“Combining all the elements one could wish in what is essentially a dual biography and a military history of the Civil War as it impacted the careers of its two leading generals, this work of extraordinary scholarship deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in American history in particular and the art of war in general.”
Bookviews blog, February 2015
“The fascination with the American Civil War has generated many books and there’s always room for one more, especially if it is as good as Crucible of Command.”
Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/8/15
“A revelatory portrait of both men.”
Civil War News, Feb/Mar 2015
“Very readable and informative…Davis succeeds in his goal of providing personal insights into the lives and command styles of both generals.”
Civil War Times, April 2015
“The latest—and the best—dual biography…Crucible of Command reads fresh. Davis seems to have made very little use of secondary sources, approaching his subjects with a bold, sometimes irreverent, outlook…Partisans of both commanders will find much to admire in Crucible of Command.”
Kirkus, February 24, 2015
1 of 12 titles named “This Winter’s Best Bets.”
Milwaukee Shepherd-Express, January 6, 2015
“Compares and contrasts the most prominent opposing generals, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee...[An] enjoyable double-biography.”
Wall Street Journal, 3/7/15
“Brilliant and balanced…Davis’s meticulous drive for facts and suspicion of historical agendas add credibility to his narrative. His voice is sharp and opinionated, peppered with compliments and criticism, with virtually every assertion supported by a detailed citation. Smoothly written and accessible, the book is also a history buff’s dream, brimming with arrow-filled battle maps and dotted with familiar characters and controversies… Scrupulously evenhanded…Mr. Davis’s narrative is well-paced, and the smash-cut transitions from one theater of war to another are smoothly handled…Despite his careful analysis, Mr. Davis avoids professorial dryness, and colorful personal details of both men emerge.”
Winner of The American Civil War Museum’s 2014 Jefferson Davis Award
“Masterful interweaving of Lee's and Grant's complex and somewhat tortuous journey to their Civil War eminence” in a way that “helps us understand both men better” within “a wonderfully understandable context of military history.”
Washington Times, 4/21/15
“For serious historians of the Civil War, William C. Davis is the ultimate go-to source for reliable information on a conflict that spawned a staggering amount of mythology… At hand is a thick—and very readable—volume that culminates a life of serious research into all aspects of the war, including personalities, strategies and politics. Mr. Davis, fortunately for all of us, is a stickler for original and contemporaneous sources, rather than long-after-the-fact memoirs…The most avid of Civil War buffs will relish the revealing details in a book rich in authenticity and readability.”
Military Heritage, July 2015
“[Davis] approaches Grant and Lee in a new way…Worth reading.”
Michigan War Studies Review, 7/8/15
“An intimate portrayal of two notoriously reticent individuals. Davis writes in an engaging narrative style and has a knack for keen, succinct descriptions of battlefield tactics…A good choice for both specialists and general readers.”
Civil War Book Review, Summer 2015
“Based virtually entirely on contemporary primary sources, an unusual authorial choice that probably contributes to the immense readability of its lively, uncluttered prose…An ambitious and well-executed book by a distinguished Civil War historian, which although it covers extremely well-trodden historiographical ground, does so in a somewhat fresh and distinctive way.”
H-Net, October 2015
“The book’s value lies in the author’s approach and the comprehensiveness of the result…A deeply researched and useful book…Both lay readers and scholars will enjoy this excellent book…A valuable addition to the shelf of any military historian. Crucible of Command will take an important place in the corpus of books about the two giants of the Civil War.”
Blue & Gray magazine, Vol. XXXII, #1
“Davis has coupled two of history’s most interesting generals in a book that is difficult to put down…[An] excellent dual biography…[Davis’] writing style is smooth and fluid, possibly the best in the craft.”
Journal of Southern History, February 2016
“The best, and certainly the most readable, account of how [Grant and Lee’s] careers developed in tandem. Impressively researched in primary documents…A superb example of how a critically informed historical narrative can come alive for a general audience…Davis succeeds in drawing out commonalities in Lee’s and Grant’s development that are often missed because of the contrasts in their personalities…[Davis has] such a sure touch and command of the material that the judgments are fresh and engaging.”
On Point: The Journal of Army History, Spring 2016
“A well-researched book but it is presented in a way that the casual reader is not overwhelmed with an endless assault of facts and statistics about the Civil War…Davis does an excellent job of comparing each general’s personality traits…Crucible of Command further establishes Davis’s place as one of the nation’s leading Civil War historians.”
Kentucky Forward, 8/2/16
“A dual biography of two legendary leaders: how they fought a bloody, brutal Civil War then forged a lasting peace that changed our country. The author explores their personalities, their character, and their ethical, moral, political and military worlds.”
About the Author
William C. Davis is the author or editor of more than fifty books in the fields of Civil War and Southern history, as well as numerous documentary screenplays. A three-time winner of the Jefferson Davis Award, given for book-length works in Confederate History, he was senior consultant for the A&E Network's 52-episode documentary series Civil War Journal. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and serves on several other consultative bodies. He lives in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Most helpful customer reviews
30 of 36 people found the following review helpful.
This may be the best book ever researched and written.
By C M Anderson
This is a very comprehensive study of the two most famous Generals of the Civil War. My college history teacher emphasized that in the past, history was written about the "winners" of wars, and never about the normal person or other perspectives. William C. Davis went back to primary sources and found the men behind the legends. He compares and contrasts their upbringing and lives before the Civil War. He notes that these two men, who have only met each other four times during their lives, seem to have much in common. He informs his readers what happened during the Civil War, then reconstruction. Both men tried to unite the two sides of the United States and bring peace back to the nation. What I really liked about this book is that Mr. Davis humanizes these two legends and allows us to know about their upbringing, other family members in their lives, and who influenced each man into becoming two of the greatest generals in history. All of us tend to favor someone over someone else, and to be a bit biased. I believe it is encoded in our DNA. Look at NFL football fans, for instance. So Mr. Davis may show a little bit bias toward General Grant. He is a history scholar who researched and wrote more books than we can fathom. He is allowed to have a little. Overall, he did an absolutely extraordinary feat in putting this grand book together in a way that pulls even nonhistory readers in and shows them things they may have never known before. He wrote in the beginning how this would be a book like no other. He explained hat he wrote it from the perspective of that time period. He also wanted to correct mistakes from past authors in order to preserve the facts for future generations. Myths are just that: myths. Mr. Davis wrote a 690 page comprehensive book, painstakingly researched to the very best of his abilities so that people like us can learn just who these men really were, and who and what influenced their lives, careers, and beyond. We owe Mr. Davis our utmost respect, appreciation, and gratitude (whether one reads the book or not). He has shown other historians how history books should be written. For that, I commend him greatly.
*NetGalley allowed me to read a copy of this book in order to give my honest review.
33 of 40 people found the following review helpful.
Grant v Lee, the Generals Who Fought the Civil War
By Grey Wolffe
This is a comparative biography of Ulysses S Grant and Robert E Lee. The author has written over fifty books on the Civil War and is the retired Virginia Tech Director of Programs for the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies as well as a Professor of History. He has won two Pulitzer Prizes and three Jefferson Davis Prizes (for best Confederate History). His book “Lone Star Rising” is considered the definitive one-volume book on the Texas War for Independence.
After short biographies of both Lee and Grant, he discusses their times at the U S Military Academy (West Point) and their involvements in the Mexican War. Grant served in the Quartermaster Corp but was constantly trying to get into a field command. Lee spent his time with Winfield Scott as an adjutant and engineer. Both were commended for their performance and promoted.
Davis then discusses what both did in between their time in the Mexican War and the commencement of the Civil War. Grant stayed in the service for a short time but settled down in Illinois to raise his family. Grant was always looking for quick money schemes, some which worked out some that didn’t. Davis spends a good amount of time discussing the ‘legend’ of Grant’s drinking habits, but says that he drank like most men in the service and out.
Lee remained in the military, and at one time he served as the Superintendent at West Point (from 1852-1855). When the war came, Lee was offered the command of the US Armies by Lincoln. But when Virginia seceded, Lee felt his loyalty had to be to his home state first. But I’m not going to discuss their military commands in this review.
There are long discussions on Lee and Grant’s views of slavery and States Rights and the hardships of command when away from family for so long. For someone who has written so much on the Confederacy, Davis seems to favor Grant over Lee in his writing. But I’ll leave that to the reader to determine by themselves. Needless to say it’s a great read and amazingly informative.
Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog.blogspot.com
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful.
Ambitious Work Ably Accomplished With Outstanding Scholarship
By Rule 62 Ken
Esteemed Civil War historian William C. Davis undertakes an ambitious task as he looks at the parallel lives of that war's foremost military leaders in this outstanding work . From cradle to grave, Davis examines the lives of Ulysses Grant and Robert E. Lee, alternating between each of his two subjects, examining their childhood, their military education at West Point, their early military careers (including their service during the Mexican-American War), their lives during the lull between the Mexican War and the Civil War, their career advancement and military successes and failures during the Civil War, their historic meeting at Appomattox Court House that ended the war, and their post war careers and lives.
The scholarship in this book is outstanding. Davis promises in his preface that this work will not simply be a regurgitation of what others have written about Grant and Lee; wherever possible, the author undertakes to seek out source material, even refusing to place much reliance on Grant's acclaimed memoirs because of the lapse of time between their composition and the events they discuss. He neither fawns over his subjects nor makes shallow judgements about them, and he notes both their strengths and weaknesses in his analysis, but he does provide his own assessment of each man's character and ability. In particular, he hones in on the most controversial aspects of their character: in Grant's case his excessive drinking, and in Lee's case, reports of his mistreatment of his slaves, and he makes a convincing case as to why be believes that both of these were likely exaggerated by each general's enemies, though both subjects are not completely lacking in substance. He also notes each man's similarities, their differences, and how each evolved professionally and personally as a result of their their wartime experience.
The book covers a lot of ground in 493 pages, although the details of many of the major battles such as Antietam, Shiloh, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Cold Harbor or Petersburg are abbreviated. The book is very thorough on the details of what kind of person each man was, including his relationship with his parents and spouse, his manner of dealing with subordinates and delegating, his exercise of discretion in meting out wartime discipline, his relationship with his president, and the character strengths and weaknesses of each. The detail in the book includes learning what an extraordinary horseman Grant was, Lee's religious convictions, Grant's awkward relationship with his father, and Lee's semi-obsession with wanting his wife to be fat, to name a few topics. Both men eschewed pretension, both conveyed optimism, both were conscious and mindful of the plight of the soldiers in their armies and both seemed to have the ability to rebound quickly after military setbacks.
Davis writes very well and does a superb job of allowing the reader to know each of these men intimately. Occasionally he seems to offer an excess of superfluous detail on some subjects, but for the most part the information that Davis dishes up is very interesting. The section on the relationship between Lee and Grant after the war is especially fascinating.
This is an excellent book for anyone with an interest in American history or for those who love biography and who want to know more than just superficial details about their subjects. William Davis has done an outstanding job of chronicling the lives of these two historic giants. To write a book this well about just one of these subjects would be quite an accomplishment. For Davis to cover both lives so ably is all the more astonishing and speaks volumes about his tremendous talent as an author and historian.
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