Lonnie E. Maness

This is a welcome change from psychological and slavery/KKK obsessed biographies of Forrest, dealing almost completely with only the military aspects of his civil war service. It does have a bit of hero worship and even Lost Cause in it, though. The maps (mostly taken from Wyeth’s biography of Forrest) are too small. I used John Scales’ recent work with its numerous excellent maps alongside this one. The descriptions of Maness are more compelling and interesting than Scales, although Maness can be a bit dry in recounting the detailed movements of a campaign or action.… (mere)