Stealing the General

The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor

By: Russell S. Bonds

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

On April 12, 1862—one year to the day after Confederate guns opened on Fort Sumter and started the Civil War—a tall, mysterious smuggler and self-appointed Union spy named James J. Andrews and 19 infantry volunteers infiltrated Georgia and stole a steam engine called the General. Racing northward at speeds near 60 miles an hour, cutting telegraph lines, and destroying track along the way, Andrews planned to open East Tennessee to the Union army, cutting off men and materiel from the Confederate forces in Virginia. If they succeeded, Andrews and his raiders could change the course of the war.

But the General’s young conductor, William A. Fuller, chased the stolen train - first on foot, then by handcar, and finally aboard another engine, the Texas. He pursued the General until, running out of wood and water, Andrews and his men abandoned the doomed locomotive, ending the adventure that would soon be famous as “The Great Locomotive Chase.” But the ordeal of the soldiers involved was just beginning.

In the days that followed, the raiders were hunted down and captured. Eight were tried and executed as spies, including Andrews. Eight others made a daring escape, including two assisted by a network of slaves and Union sympathizers. For their actions, before a personal audience with President Abraham Lincoln, six of the raiders became the first men in American history to be awarded the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest decoration for gallantry. Americans North and South, both at the time and ever since, have been astounded and fascinated by this daring raid. But until now, there has not been a complete history of the entire episode and the fates of all those involved.

Based on eyewitness accounts, as well as correspondence, diaries, military records, newspaper reports, deposition testimony, and other primary sources, Stealing the General is a blend of meticulous research and compelling narrative that is destined to become the definitive history of “the boldest adventure of the war”.

©2007 Russell S. Bonds (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Fiction could never make this up

An astounding account. Very thorough. Well researched. The reading is a little monotonous; like reading a text book.

We loved this book

The story was fantastic! The narration was most impressive. The narrator added emotion and suspense that he added made the book much better than it might not have been. We never knew who would live or die next.

More than just a train story!

Powerful, gripping and well told account of the men who took and chased the General, the consequences that followed and the echos we still hear today.

Must read for Civil War and Railroad Historians

If you could sum up Stealing the General in three words, what would they be?

Written as if the author was there

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Main character; Had the gumption to attempt to steal the engine

Have you listened to any of Bronson Pinchot’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Great adventure

This is not one of those "more of the same" old Civil War stories. This was an exciting adventure, that was daring, complex, and told in a masterful way. Mr. Bonds did a fabulous job in researching the historic train theft, and carefully extracting truths from so much bravado and Hollywood fiction that has become attached to this event thorough time. Bronson Pinchot delivered a superb performance in his reading. The story and performance kept me involved through the whole listening experience. I believe this book spans more than just an historical account of the great train theft. It was a thrilling listen and would be even a better movie, if they would stick to story as the author has presented it to us.

Riveting!

A thoroughly exciting listen! Even knowing how it would end beforehand didn’t prevent me from being mesmerized by the action and events! It was more exciting than the movie!

A Thrilling Story

A wonderfully written, complete account of the Andrews Raid expertly delivered. Thrilling from beginning to end.

Interesting story, but in need of an editor

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book could be considerably shortened - by at least a third, or even by half. It is filled with excruciating detail that begins to seem like historical filler. An abridged version in recommended.

Has Stealing the General turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I have read and listened to many Civil War histories, including Shelby Foote's multi-volume work. This book was disappointing but not enough to turn me off from other histories about the Civil War.

Have you listened to any of Bronson Pinchot’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this is my first book that he narrated.

Was Stealing the General worth the listening time?

No - see my comments above

Any additional comments?

Bronson Pinchot is an excellent reader - good rhythm and intonation.

A Rollicking Green Story

Thoroughly enjoyable. Excellent narration. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the railroad and fun facts about the Civil War.

Sometimes Facts can be more exciting then Fiction

Well researched account of James Andrews who led a group of 20 Union soldiers (or spies) into Georgia to steal a Locomotive, cut telegraph lines and generaly create havoc as they made their way north to Chatanooga Tennesee where they were to link up with the Union Army.
If things had gone as planned, this would just be another forgotten chapter in Civil War history; they did not and what we were left with was one of the most action packed tales I've heard in a long time.