Book Description
The Wilderness War is the eagerly awaited fourth volume in Allan W. Eckert's acclaimed series of narratives, The Winning of America, the violent and monumental description of the wresting of the North American continent from the Indians.
Two hundred fifty years had elapsed since the Five Nations, the greatest of the Indian tribes, ceased their continual warfare among themselves and banded together for mutual defense. Their union had created the feared and formidable Iroquois League; their empire stretched from Lake Champlain, across New York to Niagara Falls. Theirs was a remarkable form of representative government that presaged our own, and their wealth lay in the vast, beautiful lands abundant with crops. As warriors they were unsurpassed—even the depredations of the recent French and Indian War could not diminish their prowess.
But by 1770 the white men living in their land were fighting among themselves again, and war came once more to the Iroquois land.
The Wilderness War begins in 1763 (where the second book in this series, Wilderness Empire, concluded with the English victory over the French in the French and Indian War) and continues through the American Revolution to 1780, by which time the Iroquois League had been ruptured and the Indians dispossessed of their homelands.
Their defeat and humiliation occurred despite the valor of their famous war chief Thayendanegea, better known as Joseph Brant, who had allied his tribes with the one man the Iroquois loved and trusted, Sir William Johnson, Colonial Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and subsequently with Johnson's son and nephew, leaders of the Tory forces in New York.
Based on an abundance of primary sources: original letters and notes, diaries and journals, deeds, wills, military records, Indian tribal records, logbooks, newspapers and magazines and government reports, and dominated by the compelling character of Chief Joseph Brant, The Wilderness War gives a factual account (sustained with the suspense and pace of first-rate fiction) of the last years of the Iroquois Empire and the first years of the American nation. Allan W. Eckert has molded the raw facts of history into a moving, perceptive and penetrating narrative. It is filled with the pathos and action, humanity and savagery which were all a part of survival on the expanding American frontier.
Customer Reviews:
Great series!.......2007-07-28
This is one of the weaker books in Eckert's series, but it was still a good read. I'd recommend it for any Eckert fan, or any other American-History fan. You should definately read the other books in the series!!!
Well written.......2007-07-24
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written and factually correct to my knowledge. I grew up in the area where many of these events took place and learned about them in my elementary school days in a dry and factual way. This book made the events come to life in an interesting and facinating way for me.
The Wilderness War.......2006-07-18
This is an extremely well written book, that is easy to understand. It gives interesting excerpts about the main characters, not just the cut and dry facts about the Revolutionary War taking place on the Pennsylvania and New York frontier. The author tries to give a fair review of the battles taking place from both sides of the war, but is perhaps a little biased in favor of the American Patriots. The book has several maps throughout that help a great deal in following the battles. My only disappointment is that the book ends when the Sullivan Campaign ends, which was not really the end of the Revolutionary War. Only a paragraph in the epilogue refers to Joseph Brant continuing the warfare, as if he alone battled on after Sullivan's campaign. Yet, what was written to that point was the best I have read, so far on the Frontier battles.
Gripping historical narration...better than fiction.......2004-12-13
Eckert is a master at narrating and telling history in as gripping and compelling a fashion as you will find. This entire series is so extremely interesting and filled with drama and information you will not learn in school.
This book, Wilderness War, takes the reader from the end of the French Indian War, through the Revolutionary War in America and tells the tale of the Indian involvement. During this time, the Iroquois League is ripped apart and those strong Indian nations dispossessed of their homelands.
Despite the leadership and commitment of the chief Thayendanegea, their war chief (also known as Joseph Brant), and despite the manueverings and alliance with Sir William Johnson, the mighty Iroquois are defeated.
I would recommend Eckert to anyone desiring a more in depth look at the Indian Wars and the overall history of the Eastern United States.
The series is the most enjoyable reading I've ever done........1999-05-25
I bought the series some years ago and have lost one and would like to replace it. I would also like to have my books autographed by Mr. Eckert.
I have recommended this writer to many friends and have bought the soft cover prints for several.
Book Description
With To the North Anna River, the third book in his outstanding five-book series, Gordon C. Rhea continues his spectacular narrative of the initial campaign between Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee in the spring of 1864. May 13 through 25, a phase oddly ignored by historians, was critical in the clash between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia. During those thirteen days—an interlude bracketed by horrific battles that riveted the public's attention—a game of guile and endurance between Grant and Lee escalated to a suspenseful draw on Virginia's North Anna River.
From the bloodstained fields of the Mule Shoe to the North Anna River, with Meadow Bridge, Myers Hill, Harris Farm, Jericho Mills, Ox Ford, and Doswell Farm in between, grueling night marches, desperate attacks, and thundering cavalry charges became the norm for both Grant's and Lee's men. But the real story of May 13-25 lay in the two generals' efforts to outfox each other, and Rhea charts their every step and misstep. Realizing that his bludgeoning tactics at the Bloody Angle were ineffective, Grant resorted to a fast-paced assault on Lee's vulnerable points. Lee, outnumbered two to one, abandoned the offensive and concentrated on anticipating Grant's maneuvers and shifting quickly enough to repel them. It was an amazingly equal match of wits that produced a gripping, high-stakes bout of warfare—a test, ultimately, of improvisation for Lee and of perseverance for Grant.
Customer Reviews:
The Overland Campaign series.......2006-07-22
The Battle of the Wilderness May 5-6, 1864
Product Details
* Hardcover: 520 pages
* Publisher: Louisiana State University Press (July 1994)
* Language: English
* ISBN: 0807118737
The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7-12, 1864
Product Details
* Hardcover: 483 pages
* Publisher: Louisiana State University Press (May 1997)
* Language: English
* ISBN: 0807121363
To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13-25, 1864
Product Details
* Hardcover: 505 pages
* Publisher: Louisiana State University Press (May 2000)
* Language: English
* ISBN: 0807125350
Cold Harbor: Grant and Lee, May 26-June 3, 1864
Product Details
* Hardcover: 552 pages
* Publisher: Louisiana State University Press (September 2002)
* Language: English
* ISBN: 0807128031
I am reviewing the four books a single series although each book is a full stand-alone history. This is a highly detailed military history of Grant's Overland Campaign of 1864. Two of the best generals commanding two of the best armies, in American history, decide the Civil war in the East. Gordon Rhea gives this month the detailed attention it requires and had never received. The 2,000 pages allows for the full story of the campaign, the personalities, failures and success.
The first book covers the major battle of The Wilderness an area Grant wished to clear and Lee hoped to trap him in as he had Hooker in 1863. Through a series of Union miscalculations and command problems, Lee manages to get in Grant's way. What follows is a confused bloody two-day battle that has been termed "Bush whacking on a grand scale". An excellent series of maps, help the reader stay abreast of the battle and understand the confusion of both sides. Lee loses Longstreet and starts to make the hard decisions about personnel that he has avoided since 1862. Grant while testing his relationship with Meade and Burnside, is trying to learn the AOP's generals too. This process dominates the four books as repeatedly Grant is forced to deal with the problems this creates and Lee takes steps that were unthinkable in 1863.
The second book moves the battle from The Wilderness south to Spotsylvania and Yellow Tavern. Grant refuses to "play the game" and retreat behind the Rappahannock but pushes past Lee and continues south. What follows is a race from defensive point to defensive point, which the AOP concedes to the AoNV. Union commanders hesitate at critical moments while the AoNV reinforces the objective. This allows Lee to stay up or ahead producing one of the bloodiest battles in our history at Spotsylvania. In addition, this book covers the critical cavalry operations, Grant's reasoning, and the price paid in taking Sheridan away from Meade. J.E.B. Stuart's death, is well covered. Both in terms of what it means to the AoNV, to Lee and to the Confederacy.
After one of the hardest weeks in their history, the two exhausted bloodied armies eye each other over their entrenchments. Lee understands that he is being trapped and that defensive war can only end in defeat. Grant is trying not to be stuck in a siege and determined to continue south. What follows is a series of forced marches and small battles as Grant and Lee test each other. Each general wins and loses daily as the armies march, counter march and fight. However, at the end of each day, Grant is always closer to Richmond. Lee produces a brilliant trap, Grant takes the bait but circumstances keep lee from springing it. Almost to late, Grant sees the trap pulls back, changes direction and continues south. Book 3, To the North Anna River covers this brilliant and exciting time in detail. Rhea produces some excellent analysis of both commanders and the developing personnel problems they are facing. Neither man is having an easy time of it and both understand they have never faced an enemy like this.
The last book takes us to Cold Harbor, one of the most controversial battles of the war. The detail history and excellent analysis leads us through this battle and produces some startling conclusions. As always, the author provides full support and justification for them. This might be the most important book of the series and the definitive book on the battle of Cold Harbor.
Each book has a full set of maps and illustrations. The writing is uniform and very readable. While detailed, the actions are understandable and you are seldom lost in a sea of names and/or unit numbers. Each book is a stand-alone history and is readable as such. The books were published from 1994 to 2002 and had to be written that way. This is the best account of the Overland Campaign available. It is both an invaluable reference and a great reading experience.
More Civil War.......2006-03-09
I just wrote about the prior volume in this series- Spotsylvaia.
My comments also apply here
Another gem from Rhea.......2006-02-17
Rhea has written the most complete history of Grant's Overland campaign. While many Civil War buffs have read about the most well known Overland campaign battles (the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor), the time between Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor has often been forgotten. This period, of almost two weeks, is very important to understand if you want to better understand Grant. His insatiable desire to out flank Lee drives him further, and further South. Grant has realized that Richmond is not his target but that the Army of Northern Virginia is. However, Grant has learned, painfully, that frontal assualts on fortified positions spills blood unnecessarily. He must meet Lee on a battlefield of his choice...
Grant and Lee's Strategic Dance after Spotsylvania and the Great V.......2005-09-26
Part three of Rhea's series on the overland campaign, Rhea provides an excellent description from the end of the primary Spotsylvania battle to the real overland maneuvering between Grant and Lee. Supported by a series of maps, Rhea fully describes to the reader the maneuvering that Grant does to try to find a weak spot and out maneuver Lee after the major battles of Spotsylvania are exhausted. As Rhea notes, Lee, without Stuart, tries to guess Grant's next move and guesses well as Grant shifts soldiers back to the Spotsylvania front to attack Lee's left assuming that it has now been weakened as both sides had shifted forces east. But it is held securely by Ewell with well positioned artillery. Rhea describes a horrible maiming of the union attack with bodies from previous fighting still on the field, Ewell's position is virtually a fortress. Rhea also spotlights Lee's audacious maneuver of Ewell way around the Union right to demonstrates against the enemy but Ewell gets snared into a full fledge battle that punishes the 2nd corp. The best part of the book is the highlighting of battles and maneuvers generally lost to the large-scale battles that many authors leave out. An example is the outlining of Grant's move east sending Hancock way out ahead of his army in a vulnerable position, tempting Lee. Lee; however, pulls back down telegraph road south as the Union forces start to follow in two tracks. Rhea also gives great detail on Grant's personal movements along with Meade's, they often seem too far from the front to give appropriate and timely direction. Rhea also addresses the fact that the Army of the Potomac starts to come together, corps commanders seem to improve and Burnside and the 9th finally come under Meade as they should have as opposed to the semi freelance role under Grant. Rhea notes that lacking intelligence, Lee cannot readily comprehend Grant's movements initially along the North Anna and Grant as well does not realize that Lee has not abandoned the North Anna line. All adds to a unique situation with Warren getting across the river west of Lee and Hancock across East of Lee. Lee and his ranking engineer devise the famous inverted V wedge position stopping a central Union crossing leaving both Union wings isolated while the ANV has a extremely strong defensive works. This is the most fascinating aspect of the campaign as Lee has a unique opportunity to strike te isolated union corps but he is stricken with illness and with a weakened command structure, he cannot act timely resulting in Grant making an abrupt withdrawal. I would have liked to see more detail on Lee's health then and its effect on his future command abilities if any. His alternate command options seem limited, Hill often sick, Ewell not performing as he wished at Spotsylvania, Longstreet wounded and Beauregaurd and Bragg all had baggage, perhaps there were no real options. A trying time for the confederates as casualties mount and command is tenuous, it does start the emergence of dynamic future corps leaders. Rhea also provides excellent insight into Grant's role that gradually expands with the Army of the Potomac and he explains the command relationship between Grant and Meade. Rhea also gives a detailed account of the little known battle of Fort Pocahontas where Fitz Lee's attack on African American soldiers on the James goes for naught as these union forces are well fortified and fight very well. After this book, on to Cold Harbor.
Another Excellent Title of the 1864 Overland Campaign.......2005-09-11
In my humble opinion, Gordon Rhea is one of the finest Civil War historians today. His writing style is fair and balanced on the North and South, he compliments and criticizes both sides as he deems appropriate, and battle descriptions are vivid and keep the reader's interest.
To The North Anna River continues Rhea's fine series on the long and bloody 1864 Overland Campaign between Lee and Grant. Admittingly, I knew little of this campaign before reading the book and the title is a great source of information for the often overlooked actions between Wilderness/Spotslyvania and Cold Harbor. I have also not spent much time tramping Civil War battlefields between Fredericksburg and Richmond. Therefore, the book will be invaluable guide should I be able to tour the area sometime in the near future.
The only major complaint I have sounds like a broken record of other Civil War Campaign Studies I have reviewed on amazon.com - the maps. While the maps were of satisfactory quality, there could have been at least 10 more and with more detail.
Still, I heartily recommend the book to anyone interested in the events of mid-late May 1864 between Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor. Read and enjoy! I look forward to readin his title on Cold Harbor and beyond.
Customer Reviews:
GREAT FOLLOW-UP.......2007-08-31
Having previously read "One Damn Blunder," I wasn't too sure whether I would get much additional information from this effort. However, I was pleasantly surprised! The book was very informative, easy to read and follow, yet still had a scholarly approach in the presentation. This will definitely be a "keeper" in my library on the Red River Campaign.
Great Book on Civil War at the western front........2007-08-06
Very little has been written on this subject, the war in Louisiana, and why Texas was never really invaded by the armies of the northern aggression (a little humor here). This book is very readable the author knows his subject and has a passion for it. He covers tactical facts along side of the strategic. The ingenuity of Americans at war is shown by measures and countermeasures each side took in this tragic war of brothers. This is a small book with a lot of information. My great grandfather only four generations removed was a private in the 4th (7th) Louisiana Calvary(Bush's) who was a participate and POW during this fighting but this book will hold the attention of anyone interested in the history of The war for southern independence (the American Civil War for you yamn dankees ,a little more of that humor). A really good read.
Excellent book on a little known piece of Civil War history.......2006-12-03
The purpose of the Red River Campaign had little to do with the Confederacy itself. Northern textile mills were not doing so well without a steady supply of raw material, and the Union had designs on what they thought was a large supply of cotton just waiting for them in Texas and Louisiana. Also, the French had just recently installed their own puppet emperor, Maximillian, on the throne of Mexico. The Union wanted to make sure that France did not decide to use the Civil War as an opportunity to expand its dominance even further.
The Louisiana Department fought in the Jacksonian fashion with insufficient troops. The Confederates eventually had no choice but to retreat, and all of the Louisiana territory they left in their wake fell under Union control. The Union forces reached the Natchitoches area, remained there a few days, and then took a road to Mansfield toward Shreveport. On April 8, 1864 the Union forces were stretched out over a wide area when they encountered a concentrated Confederate force just outside of Mansfield. The Confederates attacked, and the Union, even with the arrival of reinforcements, was routed. This was a humiliating loss for the Union resulting in the death of 700 men and 1,500 more being taken prisoner. The Confederates also captured quite a stash of artillery, wagons, and horses from the Union forces. Thus the Union managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. However, the Confederate victory was not complete, thus this really didn't change the slow road to defeat that the Confederacy was on at the time.
This book examines all of this, including what might have been and the mistakes that were made on both sides, concerning this lesser known campaign of the Civil War. I found it particularly fascinating, being a native Texan, that Texas actually attracted the Union's military attention. Many Texans fought and died during the Civil War, but the vast majority did so on battlefields far from home in Virginia, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.
The Story of the Civil War Battles Up the Red River.......2006-12-03
The battles in the Trans-Mississippi section of the Confederacy have been generally ignored by historians more concerned with battles in places like Vicksburg, Atlanta, and Gettysberg.
This book seems destined to become the standard book on the Red River campaign. It covers in great detail the cooperation between the Union Army and Navy in preparing for and in carrying out the campaign. It also covers the Confederate responses to the invasion.
After reading virtually nothing about the Trans-Mississippi, I find it strange that this year two books came out covering this aspect of the war. The other book, which I also highly recomment is Michael J. Martin's 'A History of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry and Cavalry in the Civil War.' The 4th Winconson was also a part of Banks army but presents the story from an entirely different light.
Great Complement For "One Damn Blunder".......2006-11-29
What a joy to finally have another book from Gary Joiner! I've thoroughly enjoyed every one of his outings, and he does not disapoint again. I am a little perplexed, however by the first reviewer's one star assesment of this book. I'm not sure he was reading the same book the rest of us were. This book does not in any way shape or form repeat any information from Joiner's last book, "One Damn Blunder", but complements it. In fact, having read "One Damn Blunder" made "Through the Howling Wilderness" an even more enjoyable read.
My suggestion-- order both. You will not be dissapointed.
Customer Reviews:
Good overview of the bloody Overland Campaign May-Jun 1864.......2007-08-18
Good, concise overview of the very bloody (84,000 casualties in approximately 40 days of continuous battle)Virginia Overland Campaign between Robert E. Lee and U. S. Grant in May and June of 1864. Actual battle narrative is relatively brief and to the point. The strength of Mr Trudeau's book comes through his excellent use of personal anecdotes and observations. To hear the actual participants describe the scenes, smells, sounds, and pathos of the battles gives one a better understanding of the horrors of those grisly conflicts. The time of chivalry was over; TOTAL WAR was afoot. As Mr. Trudeau points out, Grant knew how to win, but could his men withstand the gruesome sacrifice during almost 40 days of constant battle? Lee also knew that this was the ultimate crucible and he must use every trick he could to defeat this foe. But, in the end after Cold Harbor and a combined 84,000 casualties, of which only 30,000 were Confederate, who was the victor? Lee knew that he could never replace his valiant fighters, but, Grant knew that he had an almost inexhaustible supply of soldiers and with each battle they were getting better and better. So in the end Grant, "The Butcher" as he was called behind his back, literally ground Lee and his army to dust.
One inexcusable flaw in this otherwise good Civil War history was the lack of battle maps. To discuss a battle without a good map makes if very difficult to follow the action even for a good civil war buff. I have no clue as to why Mr. Trudeau did not include any good maps in his book. Therefore, I highly recommend that you get several good maps to follow along with his otherwise excellent description of the battles.
well-balanced, but too few maps.......2004-12-26
One of the biggest difficulties authors of war-history are confronted with is keeping the imparitality. Even if you read books about the Roman wars you can read between the lines the admiration for the technical perfection of the invaders or the sympathy for the brave Gauls fighting against all odds. As a rule Civil War historians succumb to the same problem.
This book is a wonderful exception. That may be because of the structure of the presentation: It is a day-by-day-account, the standpoint, the decisions and the events of either side separated in own phrases. If you are interrested only in the Confederate point of view, you can read the respective phrases and then you only know, what they saw, thought and did. Even between the lines there are no polemics. And the told stories are not only the generals' view but also testimonies of officers, non-commissioned officers and common soldiers.
The only thing I missed badly were appropriate maps. With the included ones you will get a rough overview, but a lot of the mentioned places you won't find in that book. That's a pity, because otherwise it would have been a perfect one.
Concise Version of Overland Campaign.......2004-05-28
This is a 330 page account of the entire Overland campaign that reads much like a diary from April to mid June as the Army of the Potomoc goes from north of the Rapidan to Petersburg. The account shifts back and forth from the workings of the two armies to Richmond/Washington and elsewhere.
Most of the book focuses on primary sources to tell the story, with nice anecdotes on just about every page. However, without the use of footnotes and with only 4 maps total (which are incredibly hard to comprehend), the flow of battle is exceedingly hard to follow.
This book certainly doesn't compare to the Rhea trilogy that covers the same campaign in any way whatsoever. This is more of a primer for the beginner before reading Rhea's books.
Mediocre.......2001-09-19
An entertaining read to be sure, but also a cut-and-paste account that offers no real analysis and relies too much on post-war sources.
Excellent account of the Wilderness & Cold Harbor.......1998-03-21
This first book of Noah Andre Trudeau's trilogy covering the final stages of the Civil War offers an excellent account of the fighting in the Wilderness and at Cold Harbor between May - June 1864. The personal accounts of the soldiers experiences during the fighting are well presented. The action scenes are well written and the book flows along quite well. An enjoyable book to read for anyone interested in this period of time.
Book Description
In May 1864, the Wilderness, a forbidding woodland south of the Rapidan River in Virginia, became the site of one of the concluding struggles of the Civil War, a contest of strategy, tactics and will between the finest generals of either side: Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee.
Book Description
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is at the center of the conflict between America’s demand for oil and nature at its most pristine. Three decades before the battle over oil development began, a group of visionary conservationists launched a controversial campaign to preserve a remote corner of Alaska. Their goal was unprecedented—to protect an entire ecosystem for future generations. Among these conservationists were Olaus and Margaret Murie, who became icons of the wilderness movement.
Last Great Wilderness chronicles their fight and that of their compatriots, tracing the transformation of this little-known expanse of mountains, forest, and tundra into a symbolic landscape embodying the ideals and aspirations that led to passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964.
Customer Reviews:
This is a truly wonderful book.......2007-03-09
While focused on the ANWR, this eloquent work has broad application. Kaye's careful analysis of what it took to mobilize disparate interests to reach a common goal, and of the constant attention that must be paid even after "success" is reached to avoid the same pro-development forces rewinding the clock, is instructive to every grassroots effort to protect our precious wild places. Well done at every level, and urgently needed as an organizing guide.
It's a top, recommended pick.......2006-09-24
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has for decades been at the center of the conflict between American needs for oil and nature's preservation, yet until now little has been provided in the way of a comprehensive history of how the Refuge came to be. LAST GREAT WILDERNESS: THE CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE covers this history, from the early visionaries who set forth to save an entire ecosystem to the battles which led to the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964. It's a top, recommended pick for any interested in wilderness preservation in general and Arctic or oil issues in particular.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Fine Account of People and Place.......2006-08-02
Establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was an epic struggle in conservation and remains a touchstone for many of us that prefer a hearty dose of wildness. In this book by Roger Kaye, the reader gains an appreciation of the place rightfully called the Last Great Wilderness, but perhaps more importantly we learn about the coalition of scientists, sportsmen, and wilderness lovers who were profoundly touched by this wild corner of Alaska and how they struggled to protect it.
The people involved in the campaign to protect what would become the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge read like a who's who of the early conservation movement. Among those described are the likes of Bob Marshall, Aldo Leopold, Olaus Murie, Mardy Murie, George Collins, and A. Starker Leopold. In those early days, no one knew what special designation was fitting for such land or which agency should manage it, let alone how to convince Congress or the President to act on its behalf.
One of the great lessons of this book is that despite long odds, persistence and dedication eventually pay off. Virginia Wood and Celia Hunter, two early Alaska advocates for protection, captured what I am certain was broad sentiment among conservationists at that time and even today, they wrote: "conservation gets so many setbacks...it is easy to get discouraged and feel that individuals or small groups are impotent in the machinations of `bigness' that plague the modern world."
Today, we are the beneficiaries of their unselfish vision and dedication. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is indeed the last great wilderness, stretching for more than 19 million acres - about 9 times the size of Yellowstone National Park - plus adjoining parks on the Canadian side. Roger Kaye's fine book reminds us not only why such an area was protected but why it is vital that we not lose this vision of a place where nature still plays out her natural rhythms in tune to forces yet only partially understood by scientists and philosophers.
The Definitive History of the Establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.......2006-07-31
As conservationists continue the prolonged struggle to protect the Arctic Refuge from oil development and other encroachments, the epic story of the campaign to establish the original Arctic National Wildlife Range, documented in Last Great Wilderness, now provides new inspiration and deeper understanding of why the Refuge should remain protected. This is an invaluable resource for all who will face the battles that lie ahead because in revealing the idealism and values upon which the Arctic Refuge was founded, it provides the most persuasive arguments for keeping it wild. While Last Great Wilderness is a thoroughly researched and authoritative history of the conflict, it is at the same time an absorbing, hard-to-put-down story. Color and black and white historical photos lend interest.
Last Great Wilderness shows how conservation pioneers George Collins, Lowell Sumner, Olaus and Mardy Murie, Starker Leopold, Justice William O. Douglas, and Sigrud Olson united with Ginny Wood, Celia Hunter and other Alaskans to forge a highly effective strategy of grass roots action on a national scale. Their successful struggle set a number of milestones in conservation history: establishment of the nation's first vast ecosystem-scale conservation unit and the first administered as an adventuring ground--a place for the kind of challenging, self-reliant, and exploratory journeys that Bob Marshall had extolled. The Arctic Range exemplified the wild values and recreational opportunities its advocates soon succeeded in enshrining in the wilderness Act of 1964. The victory laid the groundwork for the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).
While Last Great Wilderness is about what happened in the past, like any history, it was written to serve the future. For those who believe the vision, values, and ideals that led to the Arctic Refuge's establishment should guide its future stewardship, Last Great Wilderness will be an invaluable guide. And for those interested in the evolution of the wilderness movement, and especially its influence upon Alaskan conservation efforts, this book is a must-read.
A PhD in wilderness studies, Roger Kaye has been the Arctic Refuge's wilderness specialist and pilot since 1985.
Last Great Wilderness is a Great Read.......2006-07-30
"Last Great Wilderness is the story of the beliefs and values, the ideas and idealism, and the hopes and concerns for the future that inspired the leaders of the campaign and many of their followers. (LGW, review copy, p. xv) Because the national campaign for establishment covered the period from 1950-1960, Arctic NWR serves also as tracer for the evolution of the Wilderness concept and the 1964 legislation establishing America's National Wilderness Preservation System. The Arctic NWR campaign, in its broadest context, involved many famous names in environmental conservation annals--Olaus and Margaret "Mardie" Murie, George Collins, Lowell Sumner, A. Starker Leopold, F. Fraser Darling, Howard Zahnizer, and others. The foundational vision came from Collins and Sumner, but the Muries helped steer the campaign at critical periods and obtained broad support for the proposal in Alaska, a feat worthy of Hercules.
Make no mistake; Last Great Wilderness will help readers understand the significance of this largest and most threatened refuge in our U.S. Refuge System. The book presents the hopes and dreams of the visionaries who worked so hard and so well for its creation. It presents the compromises that had to be made, and it gives context to the International, scientific, wilderness, fish and wildlife, cultural, and landscape-level ecological values for which the refuge stands, thereby creating a preeminent symbol of freedom, "...freedom from the crowding and pollution of our cities, freedom to continue, unhindered and forever if we are willing, the particular story of Planet Earth unfolding here--freedom for us as well who need to come to the few out-of-the-way places still remaining where we can breathe freely, be inspired, and understand a little of the majestic story of evolution... ."
Book Description
Josh McDowell's Beyond Belief message is the foundation to launch a spiritual revolution among youth. This is a revolution to equip churches and families to raise up a generation of the cross--young people who have been transformed by Christ and the cross, who are empowered to live crossgrain to the culture and are committed to share Christ across all cultures.
Sixteen stand-alone products make up an entire family of resources that churches need to launch a church-wide revolution. These products are directed to every age group from 5 to 105, and help equip church groups and families with the tools to lead their children and youth to become transformed, passionate followers of Christ.
This compelling NovelPlus combines an intriguing novel with practical guidance for discovering that the one true source of strength, happiness, and meaning is found only in a relationship with Jesus.
Customer Reviews:
A Cool Book Review.......2007-04-04
Demons, insecurity, faith and forgiveness are all composed in this single, short book. 'The Decievers' written by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler, follows the stories of two teenagers trying to fit in, but not going about it the right way. One boy, Ryan, tries to fit in by breading into a store while Sarah does a perfect routine during tryouts for sheerleading. Meanwhile, a band of demons tries to tempt them into believing lies and getting them into trouble, even with the police. This book is relevant for any teen and wil encourage them in their spiritual walk with God.
This book is exciting and keeps your attention from beginning to end. The length makes if an ideal read for those who aren't into reading and shy away from thicker books. While you read, you bounce between the human world and the world of demons where Ratsbane, the lead demon, attempts to teach a crowd of unruly students in the ways of decieving humans. In the book he says, 'Whatever you do, keep them from responding to the truth. Keep them from experiencing the transforming power if the Enemy's love.'
Easy reading is another attribute of this book. The vocabulary is simple and the story flows smoothly. The authors wrote this book wit teens in mind and the characters in the story are easy to relate to. Readers will be completely drawn in, and won't be able to set it down.
By reading this book, your relationship with God can be significantly strengthened. Every once in a while, there's an educational part of the book where the authors talk to the reader directly. They explain more about what's going on in the characters' lives and how it applies to us today. Statistics are added to reinforce their views such as the fact that people who don't have solid Christian beliefs are 200 percent more likely to steal or physically hut someone, 300 percent more likely to use illegal substances and 600 percent more likely to attempt to end their life.
These reasons and others make this book and ideal one for teens. You will be taught how to really live and how much God cares for you. True to life circumstances make it easy to apply them to your own troubles. Be ready to read and enjoy a captivating and helpful book!!
Captivating and Truthful Novel.......2004-12-28
This book will help you discover a plan for your life and the power and importance of many underestimated things. I would recommend this book to any teenager. It helped me alot.
Book Description
In the spring of 1864, in the vast Virginia scrub forest known as the Wilderness, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee first met in battle. The Wilderness campaign of May 5-6 initiated an epic confrontation between these two Civil War commanders—one that would finally end, eleven months later, with Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
The eight essays here assembled explore aspects of the background, conduct, and repercussions of the fighting in the Wilderness. Through an often-revisionist lens, contributors to this volume focus on topics such as civilian expectations for the campaign, morale in the two armies, and the generalship of Lee, Grant, Philip H. Sheridan, Richard S. Ewell, A. P. Hill, James Longstreet, and Lewis A. Grant. Taken together, these essays revise and enhance existing work on the battle, highlighting ways in which the military and nonmilitary spheres of war intersected in the Wilderness.
Customer Reviews:
Confederate and Union high morale clash together in May 1864.......2002-07-06
The thrill of finally putting an end to the war and the enemy raced through many soldier's minds as both armies had high hopes of victory in early May of 1864. Though facing serious defeats in 1863, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia is ready to tackle the newly appointed former western campaign leader U.S. Grant and his Army of the Potomac. Author and historian Gary Gallagher builds the awareness of such great expectations from both sides which sets the stage for a great conflict. His writing captures the flavor of northern morale and the polictical situation around Washington. The frustration with former Union commanders and a long and brutal war have dampened spirits in the north and this book is great at building the reasons for why and how the spring campaign of 1864 began. This book is written by a multiple of great Civil War authors that enhance this great battle.
Foiled Union Cavalry movements of Sheridan start the season off as Ewell and AP Hill come to meet and fight the approaching Grant. Writer Peter Carmichael and Gordon Rhea bring these actions to the front with great detail. Movements and maps are easy to follow.
The famous, "Lee to the rear!" episode of the Wilderness is brought forth by Robert Krick which certainly explains the situation of Lee wanting to lead his men. Many personal soldier accounts are brought into the fold to dispell doubts or conflicting stories about this great event in Civil War history. Carol Reardon and Robert Krick bring together the struggle famous Vermont Brigade battle and Longstreet's flank attack on May the 6th. Longstreet's fall from friendly fire and the confusion faced by Mahone's men is covered well. To understand the Wilderness campaign this is an essential 'must have' for anyone trying to understand the thoughts, plans, tactics and outcomes of the battle.
Gems of Information: The Unappreciated Wilderness Battle.......2001-02-18
Gallagher and company always add an extra dimension to previous books on their subject matter that are not normally mainstream but important events and they give you the full detail. Fascinating highlights are (Carmichael) the controversy of Hill's corps on the second day, who was at fault for not digging in or straightening the lines? Who delayed Gordon's attack on Grants exposed right flank and how effective was it? The true story of the "Lee to the Rear Event" by R. K. Krick as well as an excellent description of Sheridan's first full blown attempt to use the Calvary in full force doing it "his way" that contributed to Meade's (with Grant) blind march through the Wilderness by Rhea. Another gem is R.E.L. Kick's description of Longstreet's and the First Corps' finest hour, stopping the hemorrhage on the confederate right and the storied shock flank attack by R.E.L. Krick. Reardon write a remarkable history of the Vermont Brigade that stood in the eye of the storm first against Hill and then Longstreet. The first few essays discuss Grant and the health and description of the two armies. Gallagher's sounds familiar to his book "The Confederate War" and the others are written well enough (Hennessy shines on the Army of the Potomac); however, I would have preferred more gems on the battle itself. More detail on the rest of the command such as Burnsides' unique role as a semi-detached corps commander and his whereabouts during the battle, why the Union forces could not exploit the gap between confederate units between the Orange Plank Road and the Orange Turnpike and a larger overview map of the battle to see virtually all the units on the field to get a better feel for distance, time and terrain. Always interesting to read R. K. Krick's comments on Longstreet, he does say a few things positive about his march. Hope he writes a book on Longstreet, possible title "Longstreet and his Thorns".
The Wilderness Campaign.......2000-07-07
This is the first book I have purchased in his "Military Campaigns of the Civil War" series and I assure you this will not be the last! The essays are fantastic. They are crisp and well written.
He has picked his scholars well and each one has a great in-depth analysis of their topic. Each article has enlightened me about aspects of this battle I never thought about before; most notably that of the other General Grant and his Vermont regiment and the mental states of both armies as they began the Overland Campaign of 1864.
The articles concerning the historical accuracy of the Lee's advance with the Texans in Widow Tapp's field and the success of Longstreet's hammering flank attack of Hancock's II Corps, on May 6th, has me hooked and excited about reading other volumes in this series as well.
These essays also provide additional help in examining these events in greater detail and providing the reader an opportunity to obtain greater knowledge as to how events developed and progressed in the choas we have come to know as the Battle of the Wilderness.
I highly recommend this book as an addition to any other texts you may own concerning this first battle between the armies of Lee and Grant.
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The Conquerors (Winning of America Series)
Wilderness Empire: A Narrative (Eckert, Allan W. Winning of America Series.)
Twilight of Empire (Eckert, Allan W. Winning of America Series.)
Gateway to Empire (Eckert, Allan W. Winning of America Series.)
The Frontiersmen: A Narrative
