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Fierce Patriot

the Tangled Lives of William Tecumseh Sherman
Sep 22, 2014rbrick rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An excellent biography on a truly amazing individual. Obviously an individual of amazing strengths and talents but also a person with deep flaws. While eventually being one of the key reasons the union army was ultimately successful, Sherman failed to show any significant successes initially in business or militarily. Indeed after his first major command [which he was given despite his request that he never be so assigned] he suffered a mental breakdown and had to be relieved of command. His views on race relations were archaic even for his times. He treated natives and people of colour in ways that were completely unacceptable and unnecessary. Yet he also was respectful towards members of those races and tended to have good relations with individuals with whom he dealt. There seems no doubt that he had an unabiding love for his wife [who was also his step-sister with whom he lived from the age of 9] but their marriage consisted mainly of long periods of separation [although they did have 8 children]. I would strongly recommend the book.