Just arrived: Reid's America's Civil War: The Operational Battlefield 1861-1863

My apologies for the lack of posts, I've been in Denmark running in the Spring Cup with the British Universities (badly).

On my return I find my copy of Reid's America's Civil War: The Operational Battlefield 1861-1863 has arrived. A full review will follow, but in the introduction he makes a case that the US experience in Vietnam has influenced their views of the Civil War. To quote a little:

"Perhaps the most striking feature of the Vietnam Syndrome as it has influenced Civil War history is the ease with which so many historians deprecate "risk". Caution, especially in the attack, is praised. The prime assumption underlying such an approach is that defensive-minded measures are inherently more economical in lives. One is tempted to conclude that such an outlook is founded on the idea that the object of military operations is not to gain victory over the enemy but to economize on the loss of human life."

Not something I ever expect to hear from an American author. British authors seem to be rather iconoclastic with the Civil War (notably Paddy Griffith). The author himself states he's retreading the same ground as Hattaway and Jones, but comes to different conclusions.

Oh, and one other thing from the flick through this morning, the maps are really good. No mean feet these days.

I am genuinely excited, and will review it ASAP.