Decision in the Heartland: The Civil War in the West

Dr. Steven E. Woodworth is one of the best Civil War historians and author today. His writing is clean, concise, spot on, well-researched, easy to read, and he's not afraid to make his case regardless how controversial the topic is. It's hard to believe Dr. Woodworth - Professor of History at Texas Christian University - is just in his mid-40s. This is a great intro-book for people not very familiar with the Western Theater during the Civil War. You can not go wrong with this book.

The field of Civil War history has few authors with the skill and knowledge of Steven E. Woodworth. His books are always well written, very readable, conveying an enormous amount of information in clear concise sentences. Having written extensively on the western theater, he is in an excellent choice to write an overview history. I am very happy to so that Professor Woodworth's book exceeds all of my expectations. This small book works on several levels. For a person new to the theater this is an introduction that builds a very firm foundation on which they can continue their studies. For the more experienced reader, this book will "pull it all together" placing each campaign in a complex ongoing war. For the experienced reader, this book is a very enjoyable review. In a small book, Woodworth packs a lot of information. All the major campaigns are covered with their contribution to the Union's victory. However, the sideshow campaigns get included showing their contribution or distractions to/from the main efforts. This means that Sturgis defeat at Brice's Crossroads is an embarrassment but keeps Forrest away from Sherman's supply lines. Politics are not ignored, from Halleck intriguing against Grant, Polk and Hardee against Bragg, Johnston against Davis and Hood against Johnston, the problems are well covered with the impact on the armies. This is one of the best small books I have found on the western theater, an enjoyable read and a valuable learning experience. The organization is logical and the grouping of events moves the story along. The treatment of both sides is uniformly fair with a concentration of military events. Very little is said about the deadlock in Virginia, except as to how it influences decisions in the area.