Tento autor se věnuje psaní a výuce historie již více než dvacet pět let. Své články o Robertu E. Leeovi publikoval v The Washington Post a na History News Network. Ve své práci se snaží, aby historie byla živá a přístupná pro běžné čtenáře i studenty. Jeho zájem o americkou občanskou válku se datuje od dětství a jeho další kniha se zaměřuje na bitvu o Wilderness.
Beautifully illustrated with an array of Japanese art, this work offers a closer look at the rich variety of styles, decoration, motifs and patterns and the sheer craftsmanship of Japanese culture. Opening with an introduction that asks What is Japanese art?, this book presents a selection of striking and fascinating art from Japan, organised into a series of thematic chapters in which the author provides cultural context while pointing out exceptional features.
In the spring of 1864, President Lincoln faced the grim reality that the Union might not survive. The Army of the Potomac had struggled, leading to widespread criticism of the war effort. Anticipating a loss in the upcoming election, Lincoln feared a Democratic successor would pursue peace, jeopardizing the Union's future. The narrative unfolds during a critical moment when the Union Army's fate hinged on its performance in a desolate Virginia forest, just sixty-five miles from Washington, D.C. At the Battle of the Wilderness, General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was still a formidable force, but after two days of brutal fighting, Lee could no longer launch offensives against Grant's army. The battle exacted a heavy toll, with Lee losing 11,125 men—17% of his troops—while the Union suffered 17,666 casualties. The sheer horror of this battle, one of the bloodiest in American history, is underscored by the chaos of the dense woods and gunfire smoke, which obscured visibility for both sides. The relentless gunfire ignited the forest, leading to horrific deaths. An officer described the scene as if "Christian men had turned to fiends." When the fighting finally ceased, Grant, usually composed, broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the devastation.