Author: James Durney

  • America in 1913, 50 Years after the War

    1913 The celebration of the 100th Birthday of a local community started me thinking about what America was like as the 50th anniversary of the War Between the States occurred.  This paper is a very quick look at America during the 50th anniversary of the events of 1863. Woodrow Wilson is President, the first Southerner […]

  • Civil War Book Review: Lee’s Army during the Overland Campaign

    Lee’s Army during the Overland Campaign by Alfred C. Young Product Details Hardcover: 400 pages Publisher: Louisiana State University Press; 1 edition (May 6, 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 0807151726 ISBN-13: 978-0807151723 A very serious book I have a feeling this is going to be the “gold standard” reference work on this subject.  The question “how […]

  • June 2013 Civil War Book Notes

    Those that can’t write, Review! June 2013 James W. Durney *********************************************************** TOCWOC Reviews Searching for George Gordon Meade is both history and contemporary commentary on how Meade is not remembered,   Scott L. Mingus Sr.’s Confederate General: Gov. William “Extra Billy” Smith: From Virginia’s Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat.  Extra Billy is quite a character.  He […]

  • 150 Years Ago, June 1863

    150 Years Ago June 1863   The war is entering its’ third summer with no end in sight.  Some people in the North are questioning both the possibility of victory and what value victory would have.  The Washington Richmond front monopolizes people’s attention.  Robert E. Lee seems invincible going from victory to victory. Chancellorsville is […]

  • Civil War Book Review: SIMPLY MURDER: The Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862

    SIMPLY MURDER: The Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862 (Emerging Civil War) by Chris Mackowski and Kristopher White Product Details Paperback: 168 pages Publisher: Savas Beatie (April 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 1611211468 ISBN-13: 978-1611211467   Raising the bar Sometimes breaking the mold fails.  However, breaking the mold can yield a spectacular success producing something that […]

  • Civil War Book Review: THE BATTLES THAT MADE ABRAHAM LINCOLN

    THE BATTLES THAT MADE ABRAHAM LINCOLN: How Lincoln Mastered his Enemies to Win the Civil War, Free the Slaves, and Preserve the Union by Larry Tagg Product Details Paperback: 576 pages Publisher: Savas Beatie (November 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1611211263 ISBN-13: 978-1611211269 A wonderful and unique look at Lincoln’s presidency. Our Abraham Lincoln is the […]

  • May 2013 Civil War Book Notes

    Those that can’t write, Review! May 2013 James W. Durney *********************************************************** In the stores When this is being written, I am reading Scott L. Mingus Sr.’s Confederate General: Gov. William “Extra Billy” Smith: From Virginia’s Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat.  Extra Billy is quite a character.  He was a businessman, politician and the oldest Confederate generals […]