James Lee McDonough is a Civil War historian and professor emeritus at Auburn University. The author of nine books, including Nashville: The Western Confederacy's Final Gamble and Shiloh: In Hell Before Night, he lives in Lewisburg, Tennessee.
A well-rounded study...Everything about this book will interest readers who want to know more about antebellum America and the Civil War. -- Library Journal, starred review A vigorous military biography...welcome reading for any student of Civil War history. -- Kirkus, starred review James McDonough's William Tecumseh Sherman is the first major biography of this complex, challenging figure in almost a quarter century, and it is deeply researched and thoughtfully presented. Engagingly written, it brings new perspective to Sherman's prewar years and the benefit of a lifetime of study to his Civil War career. Perhaps no one will ever completely capture Sherman, but McDonough's wide net snares more than enough of the new with the old to make this a life well worth reading. -- William C. Davis, author of Crucible of Command: Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee-The War They Fought, the Peace They Forged Superbly researched and richly detailed, James McDonough's William Tecumseh Sherman judiciously guides the reader through the epic life of the man who might be history's most complicated soldier. For Sherman fans it is a must-read, and for others, a worthwhile endeavor. -- Robert L. O'Connell, best-selling author of Fierce Patriot: The Tangled Lives of William Tecumseh Sherman A fascinating American life. -- John Timpane - Philadelphia Inquirer [McDonough] tells this story well. -- Thomas E. Ricks - New York Times Book Review [McDonough] offers a great deal of shrewd military analysis, but what gives the book its vigor is [his] presentation of Sherman's propulsive personality. -- Richard Snow - The Wall Street Journal