Master of War

The Life of General George H. Thomas

By: Benson Bobrick

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

In this revelatory, dynamic biography, Benson Bobrick, profiles George H. Thomas, arguing that he was the greatest and most successful general of the Civil War. Because Thomas didn't live to write his memoirs, his reputation has been largely shaped by others, most notably Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, two generals with whom Thomas served and who diminished his successes in their favor in their own memoirs.

Born in Virginia, Thomas survived Nat Turner's rebellion as a boy, then studied at West Point, where Sherman was a classmate. Thomas distinguished himself in the Mexican War and then returned to West Point as an instructor. When the Civil War broke out, Thomas remained loyal to the Union, unlike fellow Virginia-born officer Robert E. Lee (among others). He compiled an outstanding record as an officer in battles at Mill Springs, Perryville, and Stones River. At the Battle of Chickamauga, Thomas, at the time a corps commander, held the center of the Union line under a ferocious assault, then rallied the troops on Horseshoe Ridge to prevent a Confederate rout of the Union army. His extraordinary performance there earned him the nickname "The Rock of Chickamauga."Promoted to command of the Army of the Cumberland, he led his army in a stunning Union victory at the Battle of Chattanooga. Thomas supported Sherman on his march through Georgia in the spring of 1864, winning an important victory at the Battle of Peachtree Creek. As Sherman continued on his March to the Sea, Thomas returned to Tennessee and in the battle of Nashville destroyed the army of Confederate general John Bell Hood. It was one of the most decisive victories of the war, and Thomas won it even as Grant was on his way to remove Thomas from his command.

©2009 Bobrick Benson (P)2009 Tantor

The story of a soldier with undeniable integrity and mastery of the art of war.

George Thomas was a brilliant, honest and tenacious military leader. This book does it’s very best to defend and explain the considerable determination and proficiency General Thomas brought to his duties and the success of his actions and his dedication. Very well done. A singular hero of mine and a stalwart man who served his nation faithfully until his final day.

George Thomas being compared to George Washington is fitting

A gentleman from Virginia who chooses to stay loyal to the union . This book is so good. This man is the goat

if you are a civilwar buff get it!!

in this book you will meet a man that if i could measure up to just 10% of his character i would be happy...be prepared to find out with documentation just how shallow and incompetant sherman and grant were....not taking grant off a fifty dollar bill will be an injustice.

Well Done

Accurate and detailed account of one of our country's best, albeit unsung, military leaders. Add a star if you are a civil war buff or military strategist, helpful to know Civil War generals before reading. Entertaining listen as if you were there, one that meshes human nature and politics within the career military, something that is still prevalent today.

Must Read

Best book of the civil war in the west I have ever read. Gen. Thomas will never be forgotten and is in fact the best Civil war general over anyone else Both sides included.

An underrated general!

This biography is an eye-opener, and a mind-opener.

By any standard, he is among the top generals in the Civil War. Perhaps the greatest general.

He never lost a movement or a battle. His defence at Chickamauga is important in military history. His tactics at Nashville, stunning!

All Civil War students will enjoy this biography. All military history students will also enjoy.

If we compare his loss ratios (number of troops killed, wounded, missing) to his numbers deployed, his star far outshines all other Civil War generals.

Enough said!

Great biography of an underrated titan

George Thomas is an understated hero, whose contributions are often overshadowed or have been suppressed by those who felt threatened by his success. This biography brings to light the contributions of a great patriot and titan whose actions stand vindicated by the rolls of history.

Great book about a forgotten hero

This was a well written and well referenced book about the greatest civil war general. It relied heavily on primary references such as official dispatches and telegrams. It was hard to despise the men who worked to undermine and take credit for General Thomas' military success and legacy.

Awesome Truth

In recent have been many historians who understandably have given several Civil War publications strong criticism for their portrayal of the so-called "Lost Cause" . Here is a version from the Northern side. If half of Benson Bobrick's contentions are true, there should be a reevaluation of where general Thomas sits in the historical record compared to US Grant and WT Sherman. Excellent audiobook!

Great biography; and greater revisionist history

A must read for anyone interested in the War for Southern Independence. Indispensable for any reader interested in balanced, objective American history - and a mighty biography of a virtually unknown and under appreciated American hero and historical figure. A concisely, cogently and well argued biographical tour de force. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to objectively evaluate Grant and Sherman’s leadership and generalship during the War for Southern Independence that transcends the myth, propaganda and legend that affects popular history and biography - which more resembles hagiography couched in a smug, scholarly patina.