10/12/2006

Wert and Taaffe save us from Beatie

Harry Smeltzer writes, "I thought you might get a kick out of this review."

It's a July review of Beatie's Army of the Potomac vol II posted to  the H-CIVWAR posted by one "Rick Dyson, Library, Missouri Western State University."

Harry says,
 
I have no idea why this review comes 2 years after the fact.  It is not an old review, as it refers to Wert's and Taafe's books.  But you have to love the reviewer's use of the word 'bias' when referring to Beatie's approach.  I think he hits the nail right on the head with his last sentence, though.  Readers of that list indeed.
Here is the end of the review:

Beatie's work is countered by two new major studies detailing the Army of the Potomac, Jeffrey Wert's _The Sword of Lincoln: The Army of the Potomac_ (Simon & Schuster, 2005) and Stephen R. Taafe. _Commanding the Army of Potomac._ (University of Kansas Press, 2006). Both of these titles by respected historians and researchers are to sure to be of greater value and interest to readers of this list.

I needed a good laugh. Thanks, Harry.