Ethan S. Rafuse

In this book the author goes to some lengths to plumb the depths of McClellan's personal politics, and then puts this understanding in the context of Union high strategy and civil-military affairs through the duration of McClellan's command. The conclusion is that whatever Lil' Mac's virtues were as a general, and Rafuse is ready to pay due credit, the reality is that McClellan was so out of sorts with the administration's politics that he had to be removed, even if the timing was not show more exactly oppertune and the Lincoln administration was sometimes its own worst enemy. If there is a downside to this book it's that the author is on the staff of the Army's Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, and this work sometimes has all the snap and sparkle of staff history. show less

Excellent. This book will give you a better understanding, not only of McClellan, but of the entire Union war effort from start to finish.