Sheridan Books

This book is great. It is funny, interesting and very informative. I never knew so many of our everyday phrases and termology dirived their origins from our sea faring history. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommend it.

Although this book starts off a bit slow, you'll be rewarded if you stick with it. The plot concerns two wealthy families - somehow related - that are to unite fortunes with the (arranged) marriage of Mark and Dorcas. Mark leaves town on business just before the wedding, promising to be there for the event. He keeps postponing his arrival and allows Dorcas the right to dissolve their engagement. Does Mark have cold feet, or is he being coerced into cancelling the marriage? If so, by whom? After you get to the half-way mark of this book, you won't want to put it down. The suspense bulids up to the very last chapter, and you won't be dissapointed.

The couple chronicled in this story are not perfect. If you want to read about a sugar-coated-sail-off-into-the-sunset family, this isn't for you. However, if you want an honest look at honest people with true flaws, going on an incredible adventure through the carribean you won't be able to put it down, just as I couldn't. Everything is revealed for the reader, no matter how uncomfortable it can be at times. That discomfort makes you feel as if your there with the family in the midst of those awkward moments. Most importantly, it gives me courage that my family can undertake simmilar cruises, with success... flaws and all.

I just finished this book and I spent the first half just loathing both huband and wife: wife for being a doormat and husband for being a jerk. Then, through the story I came to know Susan and Dave and the story of their earning each others' trust was so moving for me. Trusting each other enough to feel safe in their expressions of frustration. And to be able to slog through problems because they had to - what else were they to do? 32 ft isn't a lot. The tranformation of the kids, their willingness to have John homeschool (once they were back), their ability to work as a team and express needs without feeling bad about it. It was wonderful to read about these changes. I also loved reading about the islands, port life and Susan's learning to sail in a sink-or-swim situation. It's clear that Susan is a super strong woman who is clear in her ability to work with what she's got and understand her choices. She takes the world and makes it her own. If there's something she doesn't like, she changes it or accepts it if she cant.

The kids were amazing though it was hard to see how hard they are on them and how little positive intent is not often assumed, if at all.

Some folks here have given poor reviews of this book. My take on those reviews is that Susan was brave enough to expose her life and all of its intricacies so that others may benefit. it's called non-fiction i believe. And their love-making scenes, while not my taste, were real and far better than some made up, grody, milky-white-thigh-laiden romance novel.

We have just purchased a cruising boat and plan to leave with our little one when she's a little older. This book has taught me some things about cruising life. Thanks Susan for the honest account!

Coming About: A Family Passage At Sea is the memoir of Susan Tyler Hitchcock, a wife and mother of two young children. Feeling the demands of daily life slowly pulling all of the members of her family apart from one another, the Hitchcock's embarked upon a nine-month, 3,500 mile Caribbean sea voyage in order to reconnect and discover more about the world. Highly recommended reading, Coming About biographically chronicles their adventures and life experiences with a vivid and engaging honesty which includes internal contemplations on the values of marriage, family, and togetherness.

My family currently owns the boat written about in the book, the Hei Tiki II, so it was interesting to see some of the voyages of the family and the boat. Susan writes as a woman who has almost no sailing experiance thrust into a long voyage at sea. She recounts how the various experiances changed her, her family and saved her shaky marriage. She tells how a long time at sea effects the attitudes of the people involved. At first it is easy to feel sorry for her, having no boating experiance but being coerced into it by her husband, but it quickly shows you the enormous strength this woman must have to cope. The tales of exotic ports of call, friends gained and lost, and stormy seas are all secondary to the story of the family. The book is subtitled "A Family's Passage At Sea," and this is what the book is really about, the family.

My wife & I are considering such a trip in a few years, and are reading as much as possible about others' experiences in the mean time. My advice is to skip this one (glad I only checked it out of the library...). What you get is the story of how a couple lacking in seamanship skills (yes, even her "Capt. Bligh" of a husband) and trapped in a dysfunctional marriage manage to survive 9 months in the Bahamas & Caribbean...with a graphic, poorly written "romance-novel" style sex scene every 25-30 pages or so. It all comes off as some sort of strange exhibitionism.

I have sailed and otherwise travelled to many of the places she describes, and find her descriptions mostly on the level (although I hold Provo in higher regard than she does.) The rest of the book should serve as a cautionary tale on how NOT to do it.

Only the first few pages of this book contain anything of value--a discussion of the virtues of going small vs. large. And even that is nothing that can't be found online with a few good searches. The few reviews he includes are of boats many people wouldn't consider "small." After that, it's pure filler, stuff you can find anywhere. Bummer.

I wish that they had written about more boats...
The categories discussed in the book are all fine, and if this is the only book you are buying it is very well written, but more discussion of actual boats that fit the bill would have been more instructive as to the pluses and minuses of each individual boat.
Otherwise, a nice update.

This is the third edition of this book the material seems up to date circa 2007. If you are looking at small boats and have not purchased yet this book will be very helpful. If you own a small boat this book will suggest many good ideas for upgrading your boat. I like the organization of this book excellent TOC page; good index. Chapters are well organized and clearly written with summaries at the end of each chapter. Length =240 pages. 9 Chapters. Covers used boat buying and trailers as well. If you are looking at the purchase of a trailer sailer this is a good guide. If you already have your boat there are still many good ideas to be found here.

When I ordered this I was expecting something completely different, on its arrival I put it on the night stand where eventually I picked it up again. Since then I have read through this now countless times looking at details that I missed the first time through! Well written for the novice to intermediate sailor looking for their first or second sailboat.

I would highly recommend this to anyone in the market for their first or second boat, excellent information..

Now in a new third edition revised and updated by yachting journalist Dieter Loibner, Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat is 20-year sailing veteran Jerry Cardwell's guide to owning and enjoying cruises on an affordable small sailboat according to the basic principle, "You can sail big on a small sailboat far more easily and for much less money than you can sail small on a big sailboat." Chapters offer a basic primer of all aspects of a modest sailboat; how to deal with sailing dangers from physical injury to heavy weather to crew overboard to broken rigging or rudder; what absolute necessities to bring such as distress signals, emergency lights, a global positioning system, and sail repair/rigging tape; how to properly assess the quality of a used boat before spending one's hard-earned money; and much more. Written in a straightforward tone for readers of all backgrounds, Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat is a first-rate primer for anyone interested in tasting the thrill of the waves on a modest budget.

Great book, great advise, nice writing style and very easy to read. Really does address key issues that sailors will be considering before venturing further in their small boats. Read it and it will motivate you to "just do it!".

Since our long-range goal is to sail the Caribbean I thought this book would help us ready our boat for the adventure. I was not disappointed. Alternately funny & informative this is truly a must-read before you set sail for any long adventure. I have a strong feeling it will be well-worn before we head out.

you might find this book enjoyable if you like rambling sailing anecdotes.
but it is definitely not a sailing guide.

Contains some useful advice on blue-water sailing. However, after seeing the author's photo on the back cover, I *really* could have done without his lengthy discourse on sexual relations at sea.

There Be No Dragons: How To Cross A Big Ocean In A Small Sailboat is the story of how Reese Palley (a self-admitted marginally skilled sailor) managed to safely complete a fifteen-year circumnavigation of the globe in a very small sailboat. Among other insightful bits of nautical wisdom, readers (and aspiring sailors seeking to launch out into their own nautical adventuring around the world) will learn that its actually safer to sail out into the ocean than to hug the coast lines; that even a rank amateur having only the sketches information can succeed if his small boat is sturdy, his confidence is strong, and he gives a careful reading to Reese Palley's There Be No Dragons with its combination of easily learned skills, identified necessary equipment, and advice for safe sailing.

I recently discovered Robin Paige through reading books by Susan Wittig Albert, one-half of the "Robin Page" husband-wife writing team. I have consistently enjoyed all his/her/their books. In addition to setting forth a well-plotted mystery with evocative settings and engaging characters, each book relates to some political or social issue of the Victorian/Edwardian era -- labor unrest, Jack the Ripper, forensic advances. If I've made them sound "good for you" (horrors!), don't shy away on that account -- they are delightful page-turners as well.

I have read 5 of the Paige mysteries and I couldn't put this one down! You don't need to read them in order to enjoy this one.

I liked the premise of these books from the beginning and have found them mildly enjoyable. But, I always had to ask, "Don't they talk to each other?" Where is the dialogue. These books are very heavy on historical detail (and I find it amusing the authors feel the need to include references at the end of the book), but the lack of dialogue does not make it a compelling read for me.

And, there was very little suspense or mystery in this book.

Sorry, it's the last for me.

Lord and Lady Sheridan are on holiday in the north of England when an urgent message arrives calling Charles and Kate (Lord and Lady Sheridan) to parts unknown at the request of King Edward VII. They arrive at the train station to find a special train waiting for them and a squad of hand-picked soldiers. Still not knowing where they are bound or why, the sleuthing couple are intrigued to find that the rail lines have been cleared so that their train can make all possible speed. The reader of course will know by the title of the book that they are headed to Glamis Castle, the hereditary home of the recently deceased Queen Mother who puts in a short appearance as a small child.

The authors of this series put a great deal of time and energy into including real historical characters in their books and this entry is no exception. The presence of these historical figures adds a great deal to this series but in this case, as in at least one other entry, the authors have taken a leap off of the edge of historical believability. The scenario played out in this book is based on one of the great conspiracy theories of all time and sometimes the whole story borders on the ridiculous. It is a well known historical fact that King Edward's eldest son, Prince Eddy, was an embarrassment to the royal family and that there was a great sigh of relief in many quarters when the young Prince died of syphilis. All of this is just too convenient for those who traffic in conspiracies however and so the theory that he had not died but was exiled came into being. He was, according to the authors of this book, exiled to Glamis Castle where he lived in solitude until August of 1901 when he disappeared.

King Edward knowing full well that the monarchy would be shaken to it's very core if this great deception were to come to light, sent for Charles and Kate because they had proven themselves to be able and most of all discreet investigators. All the more ominous was the fact that just after the Prince was discovered missing, one of his servants was found with her throat slashed. Since yet another conspiracy theory had linked Prince Eddy to the Ripper killings Charles and Kate not only had to find the Prince, but also prove that he didn't kill the maid. Just to muddy the water even further, Prince Eddy's mind has become unstable and he thinks that he is Bonnie Prince Charlie trying to escape the English army. Just by coincidence, his closest friend is the daughter of his slain maid and her name is Flora MacDonald.

As is the norm in this series, the authors paint a beautiful verbal picture of turn of the century England and in this case, Scotland. The characters that they create are very believable and the haunted setting of Glamis Castle is marvelous. Unfortunately, the plot is a little weak and the reader will pretty much have the mystery solved by the middle of the book. The presence of cleaver German agents, a love-sick Constable, and a band of gypsies all combine to make this story almost comical at times. The sad thing is that the authors didn't intend it to be funny. This book is just not up to par with most of the other books in this series. It is an enjoyable read and I loved the Scottish setting but all things considered, I would recommend most of the authors' other books well ahead of this one.

more than most of the other reviewers, apparently. Some of the things the other reviewers complain about I actually enjoyed. It is true that the reader knows pretty quickly who committed the murder but the manner in which we get to see Charles & Kate work toward the solution is interesting and full of historical trivia.
Lord Charles Sheridan and his wife Kate are called upon by the about-to-be-crowned King Edward (again) to find his missing son, the one that should be the future king but has been exiled to Glamis Castle in Scotland for ten years and reported to be dead. He had been an embarrassment to the royal family for years and they had decided to announce his death rather than allowing him to become king at some point in the future. The German Kaiser has found out that 'Prince Eddy' is still alive and wants to kidnap him and present him to the public in order to embarrass the British royal family (and potentially bring the royal family down).
The story is filled with historical trivia and turn-of-the-century small town Scottish life and I found it interesting. I like the main characters as well, probably helping me be interested in the non-mystery aspects & descriptions.
I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, "Death in Hyde Park."

The plots of this series are frequently woven around an author or other central historic character. As with their work with Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit, the authors have here chosen Conan Doyle and his famous and popular novel Hound of the Baskervilles, which featured Sherlock Holmes, to weave a tale of mystery, murder and suspense.

Set in the Moors of Dartmoor as Hound was, the story makes good use of those images that the reader may already have from the original Holmes story or from the various film versions of the book--my favorite being the Basil Rathbone version. In effect the Robin Paige plot is a reverse engineering of the Hound story of Doyle. The authors create a plausible tale of their own which might have provided a basis for Conon Doyle`s story.

The characters are pleasant, as usual, but I can't help feeling that the central duo has become a little bland. The Patsy Marsden character is probably the most lively of the characters, but the reader, if he or she has read several of the books, may find her bolt for freedom seems more an escape from reality and responsibility. Or worse yet, an apology for the failure of the primary female character, Lady Kathryn, to remain independent and adventurous rather than circumscribed by marriage and convention.

All in all an interesting visit to the Dartmoor neighborhood and Hound of the Baskervilles with its author and the Sheridans.

I much prefer other authors for mysteries. It's well written but more along the lines of a romance than a mystery

I really enjoy this series because I like the two main characters. I find the characters to be intelligent but fun at the same time. I also like the way that Bill & Susan Albert (Robin Paige) weave real-life people into the plots. I realize that the people may not have acted the way that they are written, but it is fun to imagine that they would.
I did find this mystery a little too easy to solve and that usually makes me rate a book only 3 stars rather than 4, but I found the locale descriptions and the mystery itself to be well-written enough to deserve the 4th star.
In this episode, Charles & Kate are in Dartmoor - Charles to begin the process of fingerprinting prisoners at the local prison, Kate to get background information for a new book. While there, the local lord is killed and an escaped prisoner is initially blamed. Charles & Kate think that that is not the case and set out to find the real murderer(s). Their main help comes from another fictional character from a previous entry in this series, Patsy Marsden, and from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
An interesting read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Having presented a review of the book, "The Hound of the Baskervilles," I was totally fasinated by the way the Alberts wove his life and beliefs into the Dartmoor mystery. A lot of fun to read and an entertaining way to learn more about the history and mores of the time.

The husband and wife sleuthing team of Lord Charles and Lady Kathryn Sheridan have found their way to Dartmoor just in time for a fine adventure. Charles is going to the famous prison at Dartmoor to set up a fingerprinting operation and Kate is looking around the fog-shrouded moors in search of material for a new book. Also, Charles has a particular interest in one prisoner whom he believes has been falsely imprisoned and he thinks that he can prove this by the use of fingerprints.

Shortly after Charles visits the prison and also this particular prisoner, there is a prison break and one of the three escapees is none other than the prisoner that Charles thinks is innocent. To cloudy the waters even more, a local Lord is found murdered shortly after the escape and the locals immediately conclude that the escapee did it. The other two escapees are caught in short order by the way, but the one who hold's Charles' interest is nowhere to be found. After some sniffing around, Charles is able to say conclusively that the prisoner in question was not guilty of the crime for which he had been sent to Dartmoor. After proving this man's innocence of the first crime, Charles and Kate set out to find out who really murdered the local Lord, which of course they do.

As is normally the case with this series, actual historical characters are to be found in this book, the most notable of which is Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle, who is not yet a Sir. Doyle is in Dartmoor trying to get a feel for the moors as he prepares to write "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Doyle plays a rather large part in this story but I must say that I thought that the authors were a little bit hard on him. Could it be that the Albert's are a little jealous of the Grand Master of mystery novels?

The plot in this book is a little weaker than in previous entries in this series and the mystery is a little too easy to solve. I prefer that the mystery be too easy to solve however, rather than have clues withheld so that the reader can't solve the mystery at all. As usual, the authors do a wonderful job of transporting the reader to turn of the century England and they provide such intricate details of the food the characters are eating that reading these books always makes me hungry. This is not a series to take up if you are on a diet. This may not be the best book in this series but it is still a very fun and entertaining read.

I found lawyer Eric Wittenberg's book on General Sheridan entitled "Little Phil" just appalling and frightening, that this book was even published and author is considered a noteworthy Civil War historian. Once again we have a non-military historian or professional trying to view the profession of arms through some ridiculous method or process, this time applying law as in a legal case. As a three-decade veteran of the military, I was shocked by the lack of general military knowledge, which is such a current fade of historians who are not in the same class as "SLAM" Marshall, John S. D. Eisenhower, Trevor DuPuy or even Stephen Ambrose, who got things wrong and crossed the integrity line, but most of his books are doctrinally accurate. Wittenberg's understanding of combat, war, the dynamics of changing tactical application, the levels of war and so much more, is dreadful. Saying that according to Dennis Hart Mahan that cavalry operations should be conducted by some military tactical manual and not change and adapt with the real-world fact of combat is so ignoramus that it would haunt any combat veteran. To say that cavalry was not to "fight battles" is so absurd, because, guess what? It was happening! They were fighting cavalry against cavalry battles as nations had since the Crusades and Ghenus Kahn and Napoleon. Mahan, according to Wittenberg, should run out at Haw's Shop and announce, "Stop! This is not in my book, you are not following my manual."
The author needs to stick with law, because he is no historian and lacks the training. To measure Sheridan like he was a race horse with a tally sheet is pathetic. What Wittenberg fails to see, that through Sheridan's aggressive operations, win or lose, he ripped the initiative from the Confederate cavalry and they had to fight him on his terms. There has never been a military leader who has not exaggerated or misused his reports to a degree, made tactical or operational mistakes, including Washington and Frederick the Great, and though winning the battle as Sheridan did at 3rd Winchester, the execution was flawed. Mr. Wittenberg's concept of war is to be a clean, gentleman's contest with no hurt feelings, fair rules and clear winners. Who cares if Sheridan fires a couple of officers in the heat of battle. He is the commander and lives are at stake. War is not a popularity context.
There are so many errors, flaws and ignorant comments, one-sided bias and just immature criticisms of Sheridan in this book that I could not finish it; the first time in my reading career. One example, in Wittenberg's assessment of the Overland Campaign he faults Sheridan for failing to link up with General David Hunter at Charlottesville and escort Hunter's army to join General Meade. This did not happen of course, but in Wittenberg's litany of Sheridan's failures he fails to address the fact that Hunter was defeated at Lynchburg and retreated west back into the Shenandoah Valley. Even if Sheridan would have gained Charlottesville, Hunter never made it. This is extremely prejudicial history for even a lawyer.
The scholarship is so bad, that Mr. Roy Morris and other biographers should share in the royalties of the dozen of so books sold. Where does one go to claim a refund?

As another reviewer said, this book makes some good points, but ultimately is too one-sided. Phil Sheridan's image may be more untarnished than it should be, but if the author wanted to bring it into proper perspective, he could've accomplished that simply by giving us an honest, reasonable portrait, pointing out the shortcomings that others have tended to gloss over. Instead he has given us a diatribe. The author is an attorney, and I happen to be a judge. When a lawyer refuses to admit that his opponent has ANY evidence or legal authority in his favor, when it is obvious that he does have some, I tend to look more askance at that lawyer's entire argument. I had the same reaction reading this book. Instead of being content to bring Sheridan's lofty reputation back down to earth where it belongs, he "trashes" him, and thereby weakens the force of his argument. Had Wittenberg simply argued that Sheridan was not as good - even not nearly as good - a general as he is commonly thought to have been, one might be readily inclined to agree. But he essentially argues that Sheridan was a bad general, and the evidence does not support that argument. Those who like so-called "advocacy history" may enjoy this book; those who believe that historians should simply attempt to present what they believe to be the truth, without having an axe to grind, will likely not.

OK, to believe this "reassessment" of Phil Sheridan, we must believe that the general fooled Union leaders Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, and Halleck, and Civil War writers from Bruce Catton and Fletcher Pratt to James McPherson and Shelby Foote (as well as British military authors such as Jackson's biograper, G.F.R. Henderson). Not to mention scores of non-coms who fought under Sheridan."It might be worth making a fight if Grant were their commander. But not against this man". So was the report of Napoleon III's troops after Sheridan led a movement after the war along the Rio Grande to block French forces occupying Mexico. Bismarck also praised Sheridan upon the latter's counsel in the Franco-Prussian war.You do not need to dislike an unadmiring book to be shocked how author Eric Wittenberg relies selectively and heavily on prejudiced and "hurt" sources, as well as taking exclusively critical but minor remarks from favorable Sheridan biographers.For example, sources for Wittenberg's "reassessment" include rebel General Jubal Early and guerilla Colonel Mosby, and Union General George Crook (whose claim to credit for the decisive move at Fishers Hill on his own came AFTER a falling-out with Sheridan over American Indian policies AND after Crook was heavily criticized for the Union near-loss at Cedar Creek.) Wittenberg fails also to remember that commanders base their decision partly on the input of lieutenants. Whatever Crook's contribution to victory was at Fisher's Hill, it was Sheridan's decision after meeting with his division leaders. Wittenberg even tries to deny Sheridan his widely-received credit for his amazing victory at Missionary Ridge by favoring another Brigadier's claim of capturing the enemy's cannons. Yet Sheridan was seen celebrating his charge by straddling one of the cannons in victory before continuing on as the only commander to pursue the retreating enemy. Wittenberg does not note that Sheridan was in this pursuit when he said the guns were "recaptured". And although most historians credit Sheridan for this win (including those mentioned above), Wittenberg is only able to footnote one magazine article.But in many matters like these, Wittenberg outrageously resorts to calling Sheridan a liar even when he does no better than show them to be one man's word vs. another.But it is obvious from the number of pages on Sheridan's supposed insubordination and harshness that these are Wittenberg's biggest criteria for generalship. Insubordination? Harshness? Hmmm... sounds like another general. His name was PATTON. One must wonder than how Blood-n-Guts would fare in a Wittenberg "reassessment."Regarding Wittenberg's biggest Sheridan victim, Governeur Warren, the latter General had let down both Grant and Meade and was previously considered for dismissal. Mainly, he was Sheridan's opposite in personal leadership and drive and played second-guesser at critical moments. He was not seen by Sheridan on the field at crucial moments ("By God, THAT's what I want to see! General officers at the front!" he cried, seeing Joshua Chamberlin.). As Bruce Catton observed, the real mistake was that other men lacking Sheridan's leadership were not cashiered earlier. In comparison to the ink spent on these subjects, Wittenberg greatly understates Sheridan's victories early in the war, mentioning Booneville without obererving that Sheridan clinched victory over the rebels forces with a 90-man rear charge. And though Sheridan outnumbered the rebels in the Shenandoah Valley, he bested the military maxim that attacks on an entrenched foe should be with a 3:1 advantage. His masterly use of combined arms is cited by the US Chief Military History office.INCREDIBLY, Wittenberg faults Sheridan's use of cavalry as a separate fighting arm, yet many consider it to have been the precedent for freewheeling armored strikes. Again Sheridan was like Patton, who wrote: "Good tactics can save even the worst strategy."

Wittenburg writes a very compact critical book on the military skills and ethics of Phil Sheridan. The author writes in a concise fashion presenting factual detail centering on the most important moments of Sheridan's career. After a review of Sheridan's early career including the near bayoneting of a senior classman at West Point, the author spends virtually the remainder of the book on Sheridan Civil War career offering rather severe critiques of Sheridan's military ability as a cavalry leader and tactician, as an unfair supervisor of subordinates, his inability to follow orders, his inability to tell the truth abut early forays and his failure to recognize the contributions of subordinates. Although this does appear to be pretty harsh treatment of Sheridan, Wittenburg presents the information in a flowing economic narrative that sets up the final chapter's evaluation as a virtual summary of points categorically describing Sheridan's weaknesses. The author virtually starts with Sheridan's failure not to bring on an engagement at the battle of Perryville, to his inability to follows Meade's directions to open the road to Spotsylvania to his possible bypass of Grant's original orders for him to join Sherman. The author notes thst Sheridan's typical veteran post Civil war memoir glories in abundant hyperbole that speaks of frequent victories over southern horsemen. Sheridan's most interesting conflicts are personal with Crook, Averell and of course the cataclysmic collision with General Warren at Five Forks. However, in spite of the numerous criticisms, Wittenburg acknowledges that in the final theater during and after Five Forks, Sheridan was relentless in pursuit of Lee's retreating army earning accolades. And perhaps this last phase balances the book in that although Sheridan had his faults and ego, he had a certain ruthless drive that could truly make war hell for his his opposition in the valley or Indians and he could apply total war when the end was near. Grant's respect for Sheridan at the end seems to be at its zenith when he tells Sheridan that he may sack Warren with total authority and discretion. Of course Sheridan sacks Warren most likely without facts or reason but more so for perception and past negatives that Meade did not hold Warren accountable. Sheridan and Warren are perhaps the most interesting pair in conflict during the Civil War other than Jefferson C. Davis and William Nelson where the former assassinated the latter. Wittenburg's critiques may be controversial but they are well presented and many are well proven. But the debate is still on in the end because Grant has full confidence in Sheridan and with Sheridan brimming with confidence and his well-supported cavalry force, he literally pulls the plug on Lee's valiant and hopeless attempts at escape. A well-written book with controversy but the best part is that the book challenges your thought professionally leaving room for argument.

Little Phil: A Reassessment Of The Civil War Leadership Of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan by civil war historian Eric J. Wittenberg is a 272 page examination of the legendary Union Army general. This controversial study challenges the existing literature on Sheridan arguing that his war record has been commonly overrated. Informed and informative reading which is confidently recommended to Civil War buffs and academia alike, Little Phil is a provocative, iconoclastic, well written study that will enrich and enhance our understanding of one of the Union Army's most famous yet fallible officers.

I've always found General Phil Sheridan to be a fascinating figure, and "Sheridan: The Life and Wars of General Phil Sheridan" was the first biography about him that I found. It's reasonably well written, chronicling Sheridan's early life, his attendance at West Point, and his meteoric rise to general officer rank in the early days of the Civil War. Author Roy Morris, Jr. also details Sheridan's post-Civil War military career as an unsuccessful military governor of Louisiana, an Indian fighter in the midwest, and ultimately as General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army. Especially interesting was Sheridan's relationship with George Armstrong Custer, which Morris traces from their days fighting together during the Civil War, to the time of Custer's death at Little Big Horn.

I did find a problem with this book, despite its being fairly well written. While it provided some reasonably detailed information on Sheridan's life, times and personality, I didn't feel that it approached depth found in the best biographies of military leaders. When I finished "Sheridan," I felt I hadn't really been introduced to the man; I almost got the feeling Morris left out information in order to keep down the length of the book (which runs only to 393 pages.)

"Sheridan" is a good basic survey of one of the great U.S. Army generals of the 19th century, but it's not a particularly penetrating study of General Philip Sheridan's life and times. In my view, Phil Sheridan deserves better.

One wonders if "Little Phil" Sheridan might be the perfect example of someone afflicted with the "little man complex." Only 5'5" tall, he was combative and aggressive almost to a fault. He was almost booted out of West Point for attacking a fellow cadet with a bayonet and then his fists, and his severe Reconstruction methods in Texas and Louisiana got him transferred - twice. But he was a competent commander and inspired loyalty in his troops. Roy Morris's biography is a good one, especially regarding Sheridan's Civil War career.

After leaving West Point, the 22-year-old Sheridan served in the infantry on the Texas frontier. Working in administrative posts during the early months of the war, it wasn't until May 1962 that he got his first command in the Michigan Cavalry. He distinguished himself at Booneville, MS, and then at Perryville, KY, three months later. He also played prominent roles at Stones River, TN, Chickamauga, and at Yellow Tavern, VA, where his men killed Lee's "eyes of the Confederate Army" Jeb Stuart. His most celebrated engagement in the war came during the so-called Shenandoah Valley Campaign (Aug, '64-March '65), with important victories at Winchester and Waynesboro. He was instrumental in halting Lee's retreat westward at Appomattox Court House.

After the war he commanded forces of the Fifth Military District in Texas and Louisiana, but his harsh Reconstruction enforcement policies led to his being transferred to Missouri. He led a campaign against the Indians in Kansas in 1868-69 (it was during this time that the infamous quote about dead Indians being the only good ones was attributed to Sheridan, though he always denied it and Morris can offer no proof that he actually said it). After this campaign Sheridan spent two years observing the Franco-Prussian War first-hand. Upon his return he was in Chicago during the famous fire that consumed the city in 1871 and directed further campaigns against the Indians. In 1883 he replaced Sherman as commanding general of the army. He died in 1888 soon after completing his Memoirs.

Morris's biography is vigorous and honest and measures the man fully. Sheridan was a forceful commander, but he could also be cruel. His Valley Campaign turned into a scorched-earth expedition, and his actions against the Indians were relentless. Morris captures Sheridan in his glory but also reveals his dark side. The book is fair and just, and Morris writes well. Recommended.

As a story, this book is one of the better written biographies I've read in a while. Morris's style is compelling, and his writing flows in such a way that it is difficult to lose interest in the narrative. As a biography, however, this book is mediocre. The work is well-documented, but the chief problem I see is that the greater part of Morris's quotes and ideas come from secondary sources, making this book, in some respects, a tertiary source. In searching the notes for the source of several quotes made, I was frustrated to find that the only reference given was to another biography of Sheridan. Morris tells the story beautifully, but there seems not to be much which is groundbreaking or revolutionary.

Another flaw in the book, which occupies a disproportionately large amount of space, is the excessive attention it pays to General Rosencrans in the Tennessee era of Sheridan's Civil War career. During this time, Sheridan seems to be left in the background, and the resultant feeling almost left me with the impression that I was reading a biography of Rosencrans rather than of Sheridan. It seems that Morris has an ax to grind, and that ax is to glorify Rosencrans to the fullest extent. He claims that there were three major achievements around the 4th of July 1863: Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Rosencrans's driving of the Rebels out of Tennessee. While it is true that he did indeed command the force opposing the Rebels, the sad truth is that Lincoln and Co. wanted this to happen nearly six months before it did. I have no problem with Morris's high opinion of Rosencrans (though I do not share it myself), but I don't think a biography of Sheridan is the place to extol the virtues of that man.

Overall, this is a good study of a great man. It is thoroughly well-written, and a joy to read. At times, it is even funny, and Morris's dry wit (such as recounting how General AS Johnston "carelessly" bled to death at Shiloh) keeps things entertaining while not straying into the inappropriate. Also a plus is the detail given to the many aspects of Sheridan's campaigns. Morris has a talent for painting the whole picture and not just the scant part Sheridan played in it. Again, this becomes excessive (to me, at least) only when praising Rosencrans. This book is certainly worth the time it takes to read it.

Though Roy Morris writes well and illuminates Sheridan's character adequately, there is ultimately something flat about this effort. His attempts to give a definitive analysis of Sheridan are compromised by some factual gaffes and problems in interpreting Sheridan in the context of his times. It must be stressed that being a bigot in the mid-19th century was accepted practice and not odious, as it's viewed today. Morris is sympathetic to Sheridan throughout, even in the midst of his advocating genocide for the Native American.

The lack of personal detail is disquieting. There is insufficient material on Sheridan's mistress from the 1850's and his marriage late in life.

A strong point of the book is Morris' descriptions of little Phil's relationships with Grant and Sherman, two generals infinitely superior and more intelligent that Sheridan. Morris does a good job in explaining this triumvirate that saved the nation during the civil war.

This is a good biography, but scarcely groundbreaking or on the cutting edge of scholarship. The elusive character of Philip Sheridan will have to await a more gifted and grounded biographer.

Phillip Sheridan's importance to the Union effort in the Civil War cannot be overstated. His place as a general in blue ranks behind only Sherman and Grant. His best moments were at Winchester where he stemmed a Union defeat and turned it into a smashing vistory, and at Five Forks where he routed a derelict George Pickett and ended the stalemate around Petersburg. He also led a fascinating life in the military both before and after the war, eventually becomming the army's commanding general late in his life. Morris's book is well written, but it lacks the drama of say the recent biographies of Grant and Sherman. I think this is because the stories of those two generals, who both overcame much adversity in both their personal and professional lives, are much more compelling. Sheridan was a great general, but not a tragic or epic figure. But at least he has a biography that does his memory justice.

The author has a great sense of humour and love of living that comes through in his writing. The book is a bit like his "Latitudes and Attitudes" magazine, with lots of funny and intersting bits coming up all the time. A good read for anyone interested in boats and in cruising.

A very enjoyable read. Don't expect to learn how to sail heavy weather of trim your sails. This is simply a realistic look at cruising from someone who has been there. He is funny and irreverent. If you wear a blue blazer and speak without moving your lips, this book is not for you. Bitchin's book is an amusing look at a sport that far too many take far too seriously.

Any interested in sailing and travel stories will find this engrossing, recounting the author's five years of adventures sailing some 45,000 miles to beautiful world spots. Few actually sail the world: the author and his wife observe crew, peoples and places with a vivid eye for detail.

I can't believe I bothered to finish this book. But havingalready shelled out [the money], I felt compelled to see it through to the bitter end. The author's writing style and vocabulary are abysmal. He describes every anchorage with nearly the same verbage - "...one of the prettiest stops we'd made yet. The lagoon is a brilliant blue/green with soft white sand beaches...". The author's analogies and similies sound like second grade poetry. Regardless of why you read books on sailing and cruising, do yourself a favor - skip this one. Instead, go to the library and check out one of Buckley's sailing journals or the like. You'll be glad you did...

Should have stayed on the harley, not my kind of thought patterns connected to sailing stories, brash descriptions, had I not been to several of his locations I would have had a tough time visualizing to any degree of accuracy his surroudings. It seem the author is more inclined to get drunk and get layed than anything else with the execption of his obsession with his own size and the fact he is covered with tatoo's. I was able to stick it out and complete the book hoping it would get better but not unlike his generator, it never got better........I give it two stars, one for his will to go, and the other for having to much to say about so little.