SHILOH, 1862

The first “great and terrible” battle of the Civil War

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH fought in the wilderness of southern Tennessee in April 1862, marked a violent crossroads in the Civil War. What began as a surprise attack by Confederate troops on a Union stronghold to gain control of the Mississippi River Valley became a bloody two-day conflict that would eerily foretell the brutal reality of the next three years. Pitting up-and-coming Union general Ulysses S. Grant against Confederate firebrand Albert Sidney Johnston, the engagement was a perfect storm of advanced weaponry, a WestPoint-educated officer corps, and decades-long buildup of hatred that bore devastating consequences. One hundred thousand soldiers clashed in the vicious melee, and losses for both sides totaled nearly 24,000 – more than had been lost during the American Revolution and the War of 1812 combined.

In this gripping book, bestselling author and Civil War historian Winston Groom skillfully re-creates the drama of the event in a gripping, eye-opening, and heartrending narrative that highlights the major personalities, politics, and mindset of the day. His deft prose details how the bitter fighting would test the mettle of the mostly untrained soldiers on both sides, leaving many widows, orphans, and mothers to weep and setting the stage for events to come. This is a book that all Civil War historians and American and military history buffs should read and add to their libraries.

Early Praise for Shiloh, 1862

“At the end of the book, it seemed odd to be back in the world of 2012. The feeling is like leaving a theater after a particularly terrific movie and blinking in the bright sunlight, not quite able to throw off the mood. This is a book that will stay with you for a very long time.”

--The Washington Post

The emphasis on the human element gives the book a power that sets it apart from most military histories. Essential reading for Civil War buffs and a great overview of a key battle for neophytes.” –Kirkus (Starred Review)

“This thrilling narrative account of Shiloh from the bestselling author of Forrest Gump, is a vivid portrayal of key players and epic moments that changed America’s understanding of the war.”