Wonderful book - second in the three-book series. Love his narrative and theses presented throughout; e.g., part of the South's weakness was the strong states' rights position that caused the central government to not exert enough control to get troops to where they were needed.

Middle volume of Catton’s war trilogy - starting with Lincoln in shock after losing the first set-piece battle, and ending with the narrow win that gave him the authority to ‘proclaim’ (though not procure) the freedom of all southern slaves, turning the war into an abolitionist crusade.

This change in the whole nature of the conflict is well-handled - both governments slowly grasping that they did not control the war, because the war was increasingly controlling them. As always with Catton, the battles are vividly described, especially the naval operations, which seem to bring out a special enthusiasm in the author (he had once served briefly in the navy, so perhaps there was still a sailor in him somewhere.) And he provides an interesting Greek chorus in the form of Charles Francis Adams, the US ambassador in London, who played a useful role in keeping Britain out of the war.

The period in question (July 1861 – October 1862) saw the opening-up of the war in the west, with sickening corruption out in the wild places with nobody watching, and slow chaos dogging the Union agenda for many months. It saw the rise of Robert E. Lee and the quite unknown U.S. Grant. It saw the ascendancy of George McClellan, who talked big but dodged the action to an extraordinary degree (supposedly not through timidity, but through extreme reluctance to sacrifice the men to whom he was so devoted) before resigning in order to run against Lincoln for president. And it ended with the Emancipation Proclamation that would deprive the Confederacy of potential allies, since no democratic nation wanted to be seen fighting for slavery.

Fabulous.

One of the best accounts of the ACW and its repercussions that I have read. Engaging and eloquently written; thought provoking while having a good level of detail. I was particularly struck by how well the author covered naval and amphibious actions. The author presents a more even accounting than others. For example, his coverage on the campaign to take New Orleans is as detailed as the campaign culminating in Antietam. This is a rarity in my experience as authors typically favor the land campaigns, and the campaigns in Virginia disproportionally. Arguably, disproportionally to their importance.

Of special note are the absolutely fantastic maps: detailed, clear, and very attractive as well.

All this from a book penned 55 years ago.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the ACW at a strategic and operational level.

GT Barnes & Noble, early September 2009.

Good read but Shelby Foote smokes Catton hands down in every way. So if you have this laying around, read it, it's very good. But if you are looking for the definitive Civil War history don't waste your time, go get Shelby's books and settle down for some of the greatest history ever written.

Bruce Catton has written an excellent trilogy on the civil war. He does an amazing job making history come alive and is absolutely captivating.

"Terrible Swift Sword" by Bruce Catton offers a meticulously researched journey through the tumultuous landscape of the Civil War. Catton's rich prose and attention to detail bring history to life, immersing readers in the struggles and triumphs of this pivotal era. While the pace may be deliberate, it allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and events that shaped our nation. For history enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive and engaging account of the Civil War, "Terrible Swift Sword" is a must-read.

The second book is superb,an excellent read.It brings not just the battles but also the people to life.

Brilliant. Catton brings you into the mind of the generals and the administration's of both Lincoln and Davis alike. Feeling as though you are involved in the foggy uncertainty of how the war could morph into an all encompassing thing, bringing about a future no one could be certain of.

The recent dust-up over the propriety of waving the Confederate battle flag brought forth lots of opinions - some well-reasoned, others not - on whether the Civil War was waged by the Union to either preserve the Union or abolish slavery. 50 years before this Internet/AM radio debate, Bruce Catton showed that the answer to that question is not an either/or proposition, but that the War Between the States began as an effort to keep the US together and ended with the goal of crushing the rebellion as well as slavery. Also, Democrats ten years ago moaned about executive orders, and they're waved around now by Republicans as this horrible evil, but no one ever brings up the Emancipation Proclamation as an example of the executive branch run amok.

wilson's creek in southwestern missouri between lyon (union) and price/mccullough (confederacy), confederate victory and defeat/death of outnumbered lyon but enabling union to maintain control of missouri throughout war

Fremont maneuvering in Missouri in attempt to get down Mississippi river, martial law and overstepping by threatening to free slaves

Maneuvering in Kentucky, Polk vs grant

Lee's failures in west Virginia, union holding

Eastern Tennessee strategies, unionists outnumbered

Grant early loss in Belmont

Scott and McClellan rivalry, McClellan being named commander of army

Union naval expedition to take port royal sound

Thomas victory in mill springs Kentucky taking eastern end of Johnston line, opening up eastern Tennessee

Trent affair

Grant big victories in fort henry and moreso fort donelson

Union victory at Shiloh, island ten, isolating Mississippi

Union naval victory in New Orleans steaming up river past forts and taking city, later tough occupation by ben butler

Peninsular campaign, McClellan slowness, siege of Yorktown, battle at Williamsburg, vast over estimate of confederate strength, drive toward Richmond

Jackson brilliant Shenandoah valley campaign, helping to draw troops of mcdowell off of mcclellan's plans

Seven pines battle, then Lee flanking McClellan and seven days battle, driving McClellan off peninsula

lincoln naming halleck commander of all union armies

Contraband trading extending the war

north losing momentum in west by not taking vicksburg, buell dallying and bragg going on offensive

pope army north of richmond being formed, lee converging, rivalry between pope and mcclellan

england feeling impact of civil war with lack of cotton, unemployment

movements by bragg and kirby smith in tenn and kentucky, keeping buell off balance and union from attacking

second battle of bull run with lee leaving richmond unguarded, with mcclellan not acting, pope being attacked by jackson/lee and being defeated

pope removal as general, mcclellan back in charge and lee invading maryland with inferior number of forces, leading to great loss of life at antietam