Fields of Blood: The Prairie Grove Campaign

by William L. Shea

Overview

William Shea offers a gripping narrative of the events surrounding Prairie Grove, Arkansas, one of the great unsung battles of the Civil War that effectively ended Confederate offensive operations west of the Mississippi River. Shea provides a colorful account of a grueling campaign that lasted five months and covered hundreds of miles of rugged Ozark terrain. In a fascinating analysis of the personal, geographical, and strategic elements that led to the fateful clash in northwest Arkansas, he describes a campaign notable for rapid marching, bold movements, hard fighting, and the most remarkable raid of the Civil War.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807898680
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	11/15/2009
Series:	Civil War America
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
Lexile:	1340L (what's this?)
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

William L. Shea is professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He is coauthor of several books, including Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West (UNC Press) and Vicksburg Is the Key: The Struggle for the Mississippi River.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Fields of Blood is the definitive study of an important campaign that heretofore has not received the scholarly attention its significance merits. Shea's research is thorough and professional, his narrative clear, and his analysis judicious. This is a first-rate example of the historian's craft.—William Garrett Piston, coauthor of Wilson's Creek: The Second Battle of the Civil War and the Men Who Fought It

Editorial Reviews

Characterized by deep research, clear organization, shrewd analysis, and engaging writing, William L. Shea's Fields of Blood should be regarded as the new standard history of the Prairie Grove Campaign. A weighty contribution to the literature of the Trans-Mississippi theater, it is deserving of a place on the bookshelf of every Civil War student. Very highly recommended.—Andrew Wagenhoffer, Civil War Books and Authors



A great read and . . . very informative about a lesser-known battle that had major consequences.—The Oklahoman



If further proof were needed of William L. Shea's mastery of the Civil War campaign history, this is it. . . . He has attained even loftier heights with a thoughtful and meticulous account of Prairie Grove.—Civil War Book Review



A first rate history of this remote part of the Civil War.—Blue & Gray Magazine



Combined with excellent maps, Shea's description of the operational maneuvers and his detailing of the tactical actions are masterful. . . . A superb account of a signature campaign of the theater.—Journal of Military History



Shea brings to his work a great deal of familiarity with the campaign . . . enjoyable and insightful. . . . Will stand as the standard account of the Prairie Grove campaign, which, thanks to Shea, no longer resides in underserved obscurity.—Arkansas Historical Quarterly



Thoroughly researched and engagingly written. . . . Shea's ability to illuminate the interconnections among strategy, logistics, and geography is especially noteworthy. . . . An excellent study of an important but often overlooked campaign.—Annals of Iowa



Anyone interested in Civil War military operations should read this book.—The Journal of America's Military Past



With an exhaustive array of archival materials, insightful analysis, and good writing. . . . Fields of Blood provides readers with a concise, illuminating look at a forgotten fight. . . . A model campaign study which draws on as many of the scarce resources available to make sense of what today is still a very confusing battle. . . . Students of the Trans-Missippi and those who enjoy solidly constructed and easy to read campaign studies will want to own this book. Those who enjoyed Shea's earlier work on Pea Ridge will doubtless appreciate this effort equally.—TOCWOC: A Civil War Blog



Shea cogently unravels the campaign he calls one of the war's 'best—kept secrets.'—Military History of the West

From the Publisher