The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862 - (Military Campaigns of the Civil War) by Gary W Gallagher (Paperback)

About the Book

In eight essays contributors examine the Shenandoah Valley campaign of March-June 1862, which established Stonewall Jackson's reputation as the foremost Confederate hero of the Civil War's early years.

Book Synopsis

This volume explores the Shenandoah Valley campaign, best known for its role in establishing Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's reputation as the Confederacy's greatest military idol. The authors address questions of military leadership, strategy and tactics, the campaign's political and social impact, and the ways in which participants' memories of events differed from what is revealed in the historical sources. In the process, they offer valuable insights into one of the Confederacy's most famous generals, those who fought with him and against him, the campaign's larger importance in the context of the war, and the complex relationship between history and memory.

The contributors are Jonathan M. Berkey, Keith S. Bohannon, Peter S. Carmichael, Gary W. Gallagher, A. Cash Koeniger, R. E. L. Krick, Robert K. Krick, and William J. Miller.

Review Quotes

"[The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862] will interest both the knowledgeable and casual reader, the dedicated military scholar and the more general reader alike. . . . Well researched and interestingly written." -- Canadian Journal of History

"A valuable look on an important aspect of the war in the East in 1862." -- The NYMAS Review

"Anyone looking for new insight into the 1862 Valley campaign or for models of innovative and compelling research should read this volume." -- Journal of Military History

"Offer[s] valuable insights into one of the Confederacy's most famous generals, those who fought with him and against him, the campaign's larger importance in the context of the war, and the complex relationship between history and memory." -- McCormick Messenger

"The Military Campaigns of the Civil War Series . . . has led the way in challenging scholars and Civil War enthusiasts to rethink the way in which military history is analyzed. . . . An exceptionally strong collection." -- Civil War Book Review

"This book is of real interest. The writing is good, the research strong." -- Louisiana History

"This one belongs in the library of every student of the Civil War." -- Civil War History

"Throughout this book I found myself exclaiming, 'I didn't know that!' and 'Well, that's a wholly new way of looking at this event!' and 'This changes my way of thinking about the Valley campaign.' Such exclamations are, to my way of thinking, signs of a worthwhile book." -- Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star

About the Author

Gary W. Gallagher is John L. Nau III Professor of History at the University of Virginia. He is author, most recently, of Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten: How Hollywood and Popular Art Shape What We Know about the Civil War.