• Master of War

  • The Life of General George H. Thomas
  • By: Benson Bobrick
  • Narrated by: Norman Dietz
  • Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (105 ratings)

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Master of War

By: Benson Bobrick
Narrated by: Norman Dietz
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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

What listeners say about Master of War

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Nutshell: Grant, Sherman bad – Thomas good

This book is not about the life of Thomas (as the cover says). It should not be considered a biography. It simply is a theory of how Grant and Sherman defamed and maligned Thomas in order to boost their own careers. Reading this I was reminded of elementary school kids arguing about who’s older brother was better at baseball. Here is one sentence to describe what the book is about using similar intellect and tone as the author: Grant, Sherman bad – Thomas good.

I would have given the reader three and a half stars if I had such a choice - he is not bad.

I really wanted to like this book. Thomas is one of my favorite Civil War figures, and once downloaded I eagerly started reading it - but what a disappointment!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Thomas Infallible Sherman/Grant jerks and idiots

Man! I wasn’t sure if I was listening to a book that was about how Grant and Sherman were bad leaders or if Thomas was a good leader. To be fair, it was just a little over 1/2 probably about Thomas’ career.
Chapter 12 is literally all about how horrible Grant and Sherman were.

Normally in things like this I would expect, as most persuasives, portions where the author says things like “Grant and Sherman deserve credit for this” or “Thomas could have done this better” Yea there is absolutely none of that!
He also points out how Grant and Sherman wouldn’t have succeeded unless (insert event) happened or (insert person) messed up. However neglects to do this for Thomas. I mean to be a good general, you have to be lucky at points right?

The thing I did enjoy about the book was Thomas’ career before the war and before mention of Grant and Sherman.

I just wish it was more about George Thomas’ life and career rather than an attempt to show he was the best general.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not Recommended

I was so disappointed with this book. General Thomas significantly contributed to the Union victory in the US Civil War. I have read numerous accounts of many battles and studies the maps of those battles involving General Thomas. The author does not portray positions of armies accurately. And the MOST disappointing part of this book was that the author’s main focus was to disparage Generals Grant and Sherman. I wanted to know who General Thomas was - not the author’s perception of how Grant and Sherman supposedly conspired to push Thomas out of the way to achieve their own glory. While that view may be legitimate, it is not the book as advertised. Most books I purchase, have some little value even if I dislike them. This book is ruined by the author’s obvious prejudice.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I was very interested in hearing about General Thomas. Unfortunately, about half of the book is spent bashing others (especially Grant and Sherman) to the point it’s genuinely distracting. There’s no need to tear down everyone else in order to make Thomas look better. I wanted to learn about Thomas, but instead got a diatribe on how villainous Grant and Sherman were - those evil, bumbling, mustache-twirling fiends hellbent on destroying Thomas.

At the same time his portrayal of Thomas as flawless makes him seem one dimensional. I get that the author admires him, but I laughed out loud at some of the descriptions - regal, perfectly proportioned, Grecian. The author makes other dubious claims, including saying that all of his family’s slaves adored him (a common myth regarding slaves for southerner apologists) and that if Thomas had chosen to fight for the south, they would have won the war. It’s all so over the top that it unfortunately makes the book difficult to read.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Very Inaccurate

The author covers Thomas’ life much too generally (no pun intended). We don’t learn much about Thomas the man. Plus the book is riddled with numerous minor details. This might sound like nitpicking, and a few errors could certainly be excused, but there are just so many minor errors it gives the book the feel or being written by someone without a mastery in its subject. Examples include “P.T.G. Beauregard,” and writing that McClellan had graduated before Thomas from West Point (actually six years later), and Grant led a group of Wide Awakes who Bobrick likens to a Republican militia when in fact Grant was a Douglas Democrat in 1860, and giving the date of South Carolina’s secession as December 15.

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