Book excerpt: In Sherman, acclaimed military historian Lee Kennett offers a bold new interpretation of William T. Sherman as civilian, solider, and postwar army commander. This vividly detailed picture follows Sherman from his education at West Point to his abortive career as a San Francisco banker to his triumphant role as Civil War hero. Sherman’s actions during the Civil War were not without controversy, and he was at one point accused of mental incompetence. But with a blend of drive, determination, and mastery of detail, he would go on to become a remarkable leader, capture Atlanta and Savannah in the Great March, and help end the war. Drawing on previously unexplored research, Kennett presents a comprehensive portrait of this singular individual who had so much impact on American history. Lee Kennett is a Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Georgia and the author of G.I.: The American Soldier in World War II and Marching Through Georgia. He lives in North Carolina. “A lively account ... Well-researched, well-reasoned, well-written, and highly recommended.” — Providence Journal