Changes

From being a hero in Ireland to the falling out with his Irish brethren in American, Thomas Francis Meagher was a complex and flawed leader during the American Civil War. Meagher organized and led the famed Irish Brigade to notoriety through his inspired orations and appeal to Irish-Americans that the survival of the Union was tantamount to an independent Ireland. The enigmatic general was more than a leader of a military brigade, he served as the kingpin of the Irish-American communities in the North. Paul Wylie traces Meagher’s life from being a lad in Ireland, through the Civil War, his decline in the eyes of his Irish followers, and finally his territorial governorship in Montana Territory, including his mysterious death. With all of his flaws, Meagher was at one time adored by Irish-Americans and Wylie does an admiral job of reconciling the conflicting opinions of Meagher’s critics. This is a lesser-known gem of Civil War biographies that paints a nuanced portrait of the bombastic Irish general.

Had Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson lived past 1863, would the outcome of the Civil War been different? This question has been debate among historians for decades without a definitive answer. This book is recommended to students of the Civil War as a means by which to contemplate that very question. Once the chronological progression of the war is understood, one must revisit Jackson in order to determine if his daring strategies and brilliant tactics could have altered history, specifically the Battle of Gettysburg. Robertson follows Jackson’s growth so completely that he reveals tremendous insight into his subject’s complex and almost paradoxical mind. Continually stressing the religious aspect of Jackson’s character, which was unshakeable, Robertson weaves this into every event of his life. As a devoutly religious man, Jackson was a relentless soldier who saw killing as a necessary part of battle and managed to reconcile the carnage of war with his Christian faith. Robertson does a marvelous job of integrating the contradictions of the man who may have changed the course of history.