First Bull Run 1861: The South's first victory (Campaign, 10)

"First Bull Run 1861" is a well-written and extremely educational entry in the Osprey Campaign series. Author Alan Hankinson does a nicely even-handed job introducing the Civil War to the general reader, before plunging into a highly readable narrative of the first Civil War campaign in the East. The author provides short biographies of the key leaders on each side of the campaign, and a short synopsis on the opposing armies, which were filled with green, poorly trained recruits and led by a combination of Mexican War veterans and leaders promoted from civilian life.Hankinson carefully dissects the battle itself, from its opening skirmishes to the climactic struggle for Henry Hill on the Confederate Army's left flank, and the inglorious retreat that followed. The text is supplemented by period illustrations and photographs, maps, and diagrams detailing portions of the battle. The narrative reminds the reader that both sides were learning how to make war, and that the inexperienced troops generally stood up pretty well to the test of battle. Hankinson's concluding remarks make clear how close the battle was, and how the course of the war turned on the results. There are a few minor errors, but the general reader might not even notice them. "First Bull Run 1861" is highly recommended to the general reader and the student as an introduction to the battle and the conflict.

I am very familiar with the First battle of Bull Run campaign based on earlier research and the fact that the battlefield is about an hour from where I have lived for decades.. I am pleased at the content of this book including ample photographs, artwork, and tactical maps as well as order of battle.

good cover of book. good content of book like the cover of the book not enough pages in the book

Product is as anticipated. Good brief review of the civil war battle and the participants

fine

Always interesting and useful, but they must improve the ebook version: maps, spash pages and bird's eye view are impossible to uread in a coerent way (description on one page, locations on another, movement arrows split between different pages).

Good read.