William Tecumseh Sherman

In the Service of My Country: A Life

By: James Lee McDonough

Narrated by: David Drummond

Length: 28 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

General Sherman's 1864 burning of Atlanta solidified his legacy as a ruthless leader. Yet Sherman proved far more complex than his legendary military tactics reveal. James Lee McDonough offers fresh insight into a man tormented by the fear that history would pass him by, who was plagued by personal debts, and who lived much of his life separated from his family.

As a soldier, Sherman evolved from a spirited student at West Point into a general who steered the Civil War's most decisive campaigns, rendered here in graphic detail. Lamenting casualties, Sherman sought the war's swift end by devastating Southern resources in the Carolinas and on his famous March to the Sea. This meticulously researched biography explores Sherman's warm friendship with Ulysses S. Grant, his strained relationship with his wife, Ellen, and his unassuageable grief over the death of his young son, Willy. The result is a remarkable, comprehensive life of an American icon whose legacy resonates to this day.

©2016 James Lee McDonough (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"McDonough has produced an exhaustive biography told with considerable narrative skill." ( Publishers Weekly)

Three Cheers and a Tiger!!!

Sherman is, was, and ever shall be (to me), the greatest Civil War General this country has seen. He didn't have the bravado of any brass from the Army of the Potomac, and he didn't have the chivalry of those in the CSA. He was a driven "War is Hell" leader who brought the savagery of the Civil War to the people, thus essentially ending the war, and without him, I doubt the boys in blue would've been home in 1865.

I'm an amateur historian and avid Civil War buff, and read plenty though am usually turned off by the Battles and Leaders type of stories which often lead into tactical summaries that drown the reader/listener in so many details relating to landscape and terrain, Corp, and Division strengths, and who was where, when rather than speaking to the reader from a one-on-one perspective. I prefer stories from the front lines, without the arm-chair General drivel which is often nothing more than exhausting dialog. This title is not that!

This book tells Sherman's story from the start, his life at West Point, his days in California, and then his transition back into the Army, and his life afterwards. And in each period, the detail of how he lived, and how he interacted with those around him is fascinatingly detailed. Nothing is left out. This is by far the most concise, interesting biography about Sherman I have read and am glad I found it. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

If you're looking for another book to add to your Civil War library, or want to read biography of a truly unappreciated American soldier, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

Great engrossing book.

This biography of William Sherman is well old and lively. Very entertaining audible presentation you will enjoy very much.

Great American General, Imperfect Human

Taken out of historic context and applying today's morality test for historic figures, Gen. W.T. Sherman's statue would probably be taken down. But undeservedly so, by people who have no idea of history, courage and patriotism. Born into a humble family in 1820, but raised by a rich, domineering and politically powerful stepfather who would become his father-in-law, Sherman would never really be happy his entire life, except for the days he was out in the field, away from it all, with his Army buddies or celebrating his Civil War victories decades later, with Army veterans who fought alongside him. Tortured by his wife, a devout Catholic who spent his meager salary before he got next month's pay, Sherman didn't seem to mind being away from her for long periods, but it would seem she always got pregnant during those relatively few times they had together. Extraordinarily researched and detailed, a good deal of the book is comprised of quotes from the many hundreds (perhaps thousands) of letters Sherman and his wife exchanged throughout their largely separated lives, or correspondence with his brother, in which he poured out his most honest and intimate feelings. The book is no puff-piece, nor does it focus throughout on his weaknesses. It is, indeed, well balanced and shows a great man who is probably still vilified in Atlanta as much as Confederate generals are in Virginia. Here is a Northerner who put his life literally on the line every day during the war and loved his country deeply, but his letters also reveal his thoughts about the treatment of freed slaves and Native Americans after the war, when his "peacetime" duties were focused away from the battlefield. At the beginning, don't get thrown-off by the narrator's mechanical delivery, almost like those artificial voices on some youtube videos. It gets better, and by the second half of the book, the narration is engaging and reflects the emotion of the circumstance.

Great Book!

I recommend this book to all! As I read, my pride in the United States grew. This book is frank and to the fact conveying Sherman as one of the grandest men in United States history!

Well written. Balanced. Thoroughly destroyed myths about Sherman

This book opened my eyes to the human Sherman who was clearly a bigot, a racist and Confederate apologist I grew up with the myth of him being a saviour to enslaved African Americans. However the author has done a remarkable job of dispelling that myth and showed Sherman as an arrogant conceited man who had little regard for the rights of the African Americans. His hatred of Mexicans and I Indians was equally surprising. Take away the military victories and Sherman is seen for what he really was. Appreciation for the author's writing about Sherman without succumbing to the myths of his greatness.

Really good

I read a lot of historical biographies. Some get bogged down with excessive detail and read more like a scholarly tome. Not this book which is an interesting narration of a fascinating American who was quite famous in his time.

Excellent.

interesting and pertinent info on the General, well presented. I learned a great deal, and I've read about the war extensively.

William Tecumseh Sherman

A gripping biography with an excellent performance. Easily my favorite book I've listened to on audible.

Less than optimal narration

Fascinating subject, well researched. But the narrator sounds almost artificial, like someone speaking the words but not understanding their content.

Loved it!

In light of all of the recent destruction of and uproar over all things confederate, I am taking it upon myself to learn more about the critical time that was the American Civil War and those figures that were prominent on both sides. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learning more about “Uncle Willy.”