Nathan Bedford Forrest

A Biography

By: Jack Hurst

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

He was a fierce and controversial Civil War officer, an unschooled but brilliant cavalryman, an epic figure in America's most celebrated war. A superb tactician and ferocious fighter, Nathan Bedford Forrest revolutionized the way armies fought in the course of rising from private to lieutenant general in the Confederate Army.

In this detailed and fascinating account of the legend of the "Wizard of the Saddle," we see a man whose strengths and flaws were both of towering proportions, a man possessed of physical valor perhaps unprecedented among his countrymen. And, ironically, Forrest - the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan - was a man whose social attitudes may well have changed farther in the direction of racial enlightenment over the span of his lifetime than those of most American historical figures.

©1993 Jack Hurst (P)1995 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Hurst presents a balanced, well-documented study of Nathan Bedford Forrest, whom many consider to be the most brilliant general of the Civil War....[A]n outstanding study of one of the Civil War's more controversial generals. Essential." ( Library Journal)
"Hurst's is the best all-around recent life of Forrest...." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"The irrefutable military record of an acknowledged tactical genius...the most complete and complex portrait yet of the Civil War Jekyll and Hyde." ( Chicago Tribune)

an amazing read!

I loved this book, listened to it twice and plan on reading it as well!

Outstanding!

Well written and fair account of the general. I highly recommend this work to anyone interested in the topic.

Best Forrest book I've read!

This is the best, most detailed recording of the militaries greated general. Unbelievable military genious. Reading this books almost allows you to ride along with Forrest as he wages war for his country. Love it.

A balanced biography

I read this immediately after finishing a more laudatory biography of NBF, and it’s provided the more balanced view I was looking for. The does not attempt to deify or vilify the subject, and pays a much needed dose of attention to the post war years. 9/10 would highly recommend, my only criticism is that the author doesn’t do as good of a job explaining battles as the aforementioned pro-Forrest biography.

Pretty objective, overall solid biography

As with most Civil War biographies, the majority of the text is spent recounting Forrest’s exploits during war. I was pleased with the amount of context added during the pre and postwar years, and I learned much that was previously unknown to me. The author highlights and showcases both Forrest’s strengths, weakness, and the impact his decisions and exploits fairly. He always presented both the positive and negative views of Forrest from other figures (mostly from that time) simultaneously and objectively. It was an enjoyable listen and I plan to purchase a physical copy for rereading in the future.

Even better if abridged

Any additional comments?

Forest was a VERY interesting character. The book was well written, but much of the detail could (should) have been pared down to about half of this size. Still, it was a very interesting listen and I enjoyed it.

In depth - Nathan Bedford Forest

Jack Hurst gets my applause in his in depth biography of Nathan Bedford Forrest. His broad and in depth research uncovers numerous, often opposing perspectives, and successfully portrays this controversial man and military standout of the Confederate South. From pre Civil War youth through the final years of Forrest's post war life, Hurst captures the climate, cultures, and issues of America and the era, Nathan Bedford Forrest, the Blackstone Audio Book, is narrated by Jeff Riggenback, known for his clear delivery and stellar speaking voice.

An amazing and deep dive into the life of NBF

Whomever wrote this book 📚 did their research very well.

George Stuart Bedford was a great friend of mine for years and years. And we would talk about the entire family throughout the generation's and this book is the closest thing to those conversations that I have ever come across. This is an outstanding look past the myths, rumors and stories of a controversial man who's footprint still stands in the story of the beginning of this great country. It's an amazing and insightful look into the life and history of Nathan Bedford Forest. And is worth your valuable time if you have any real interest into the true history of a complicated and controversal figuring American history.

good biography

I listened to this book because I knew little of Forrest and what I had heard didn't exactly make me respect him as a person or historical character. I appreciate the author not making him out to be a hero, but told the evidence/facts (as known). I can say that I now have a better understanding of who N B Forrest was vs what "common rumor". That said, he wasn't a perfect man, but for his time, I have more respect for who he was and what he did and believed ...

In depth

Gives the complete history not the the hyperbolic narrative bestowed upon a man that learned through the course of his life