Amazon.com Book Description (ISBN 0306809133, Paperback)

Stephen Sears posits that "General McClellan's importance in shaping the course of the Union during the Civil War was matched only by that of President Lincoln and Generals Grant and Sherman." But McClellan was seen as a failure and history ignored him. This book restores the balance.

The youngest in his class at West Point, by 35 McClellan was commander of all the Northern armies, in which roll he was irresolute. His failure was lack of aggressiveness. He lost his command and turned to politics, running against Lincoln in 1864. He was soundly defeated.

"Drawing on primary sources, Sears gives us the first full picture of the McClellan, a man possessed by demons and delusions, and of a fatal belief in his own powers as a war leader." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board)