On 2008-01-06 Steven A. Peterson, Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) wrote: This is a fine biography of the Union General, ´Fighting´ Joe Hooker. The book is somewhat dated (originally published in 1944), but it holds up pretty well.
The book starts with a little about Hooker´s early life. But we then move ahead quickly to his Civil War record. His first real command was as brigade commander after First Bull Run (Manassas). The story of his Civil War involvement begins then. At some point, early on, he became known as ´Fighting Joe Hooker,´ a nickname that he despised. The book straightforwardly notes that the origin of the nickname is unclear.
One thing that set Hooker apart from many other early generals was that he, indeed, was a fighter. There were poor generals (Franz Sigel comes to mind), there were generals who found it difficult to fight hard and commit themselves totally to battle (George McClellan exemplifies this), some were good at brigade or division command and poor when promoted to corps command. Hooker was a fine general at division and corps command. The one question: Could he have been successful in independent command? His one opportunity was when he headed the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville. Between injury and possible loss of confidence and nerve, he threw away a winnable battle after some excellent maneuvering on Hooker´s part. He remained in command briefly after that, but was gone by the time of Gettysburg.
Up to Chancellorsville, as this book points out, he was a good solid general. Afterwards, when two corps of the Army of the Potomac were transported to Chattanooga, he found himself in charge of the 11th and 12th Corps. He generally led these troops creditably until he resigned after General James McPherson´s death (Hooker felt he should have had that command). The book then chronicles his career thereafter and follows him until his death.
The book portrays well his sometimes foolish attacks on others. He could be an intriguer. The author shows well why Lincoln had some reservations about making him commander of the Army of the Potomac. At the same time, he showed considerable administrative ability after taking the Army over from the hapless Ambrose Burnside.
This is a fair portrayal of a complex person, who had more good days than bad during the Civil War, but who also had questions dogging him throughout his career. A well done biography.
. And summed up by saying Solid biography of Fighting Joe Hooker. Currently Fighting Joe Hooker has an overall rating of 8 over 10.
Fighting Joe Hooker can also be found in the following searches:
James A. Rawley claimed “I have placed you at the head of the Army of the Potomac. Of course I have done this upon what appear to me to be sufficient reasons. And yet I think it best for you to know that there are some things in regard to which, I am not quite satisfied with you.” With this opening sentence in a two-page letter from Abraham Lincoln, Union general Joseph Hooker (1814–79) gained a prominent place in Civil War history. Hooker assumed command of an army demoralized by defeat and diminished by desertion. Acting swiftly, the general reorganized his army, routed corruption among quartermasters, improved food and sanitation, and boosted morale by granting furloughs and amnesties. His hour of fame and the test of his military skill came in the May 1863 battle of Chancellorsville. It was one of the Union Army’s worst defeats; shortly thereafter Hooker’s resignation was accepted. This definitive biography of a man who could lead so brilliantly and yet fall so ignominiously remains the only full-length treatment of Hooker’s life. His renewal as an important commander in the western theater during the Chattanooga and Atlanta campaigns is discussed, as is his life before and after his Civil War military service. In a new introduction James A. Rawley, Carl Adolph Happold Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Nebraska, reminds today’s readers of Fighting Joe’s place in history.
Item that are similar to Fighting Joe Hooker can be found at: