Shiloh 1862 The Death Of Innocence

Osprey History

by James R. Arnold

The first major battle in the Western theatre of the American Civil War (1861-1865), Shiloh came as a horrifying shock to both the American public and those in arms. For the first time they had some idea of the terrible price that would be paid for the preservation of the Union. On 6 April 1862 General Albert Sidney Johnston caught Grant and Sherman by surprise and very nearly drove them into the River Tennessee, but was mortally wounded in the process. Somehow Grant and Sherman hung on and the next day managed to drive back the hordes of grey-clad rebels.

Genres: American Civil War, Military History, History, Civil War, Civil War Western Theater, American History, Nonfiction

First published September 25, 1998

Reviews

[Michael C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shiloh 1862: The Death Of Innocence (Praeger Illustrated Military History)
by James R. Arnold
the story and reason of the conflict at Shiloh

[Anne Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Overview

This is a good overview of the Battle of Shiloh. As a two-time visitor to Shiloh Battlefield and having read at least three complete battle histories of this engagement, I found this concise and easy to read. There were lots of good maps and pictures but I wish that I had not been reading on Kindle because the maps were difficult to see on my phone.

[William Paley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never made the sort of study of the American Civil War that I have of WWII, so I found this fast-reading overview helpful to clarify the events covered.

[John Matthew IV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great summary of the battle. Fine maps and great illustrations.

[Christian Ovsenik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toward the night of the 6th, Sherman approached Grant and stated “Well, Grant, we’ve had the devil’s own day, haven’t we.” To which Grant replied, “Yes”, “Lick ‘em tomorrow, though”. 

[Станислав · Rating 1 out of 5]

Фигня.

[Ira Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple read on the battle of Shiloh. Love the detailed maps of the battlefield, and added some new aspects of historical people that I did not realize from all of the other books that I've read on the subject.

A few things added, is a section on how to play miniature wargaming rules for a more realistic play that pertains to only Shiloh.

The use of artistic maps showing the terrain and how attacks happened, particularly the gulch area where the Navy becomes a key factor against Confederate attack on Grant's left flank.

Wonderful, better for younger readers of history.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two armies are like two tenacious bull dogs. They have grappled and fought until both are exhausted and worn out. One has crawled away to lie down and the other one cannot follow.
Union Army soldier Iowan Regiment diary entry

This Osprey guide gives a detailed presentation with maps and illustrations.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid take on a pivotal battle, it explains why certain blunders occurred on both sides, but without excusing all of the command mistakes. Could have used better maps.

[Alexandre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent read

[John Stieven · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book about this first historic battle

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most books in the Osprey Campaign series, this book gives a good overview of the campaign but doesn't go into a lot of detail. Two parts which could have been better were "Opposing Commanders" and "Opposing Armies". In the first section when discussing the Union generals, the author talks only about Grant and Sherman, neglects Grant's other five division commanders, and completely ignores Buell's army. The other section tends to talk about Union and Confederate units in general, rather than specifically about the opposing forces at Shiloh, especially the Army of the Ohio.