united states

As a Civil War buff and history fan in general, I eagerly devoured Newt Gingrich's previous alternate history book, Gettysburg, and having thoroughly enjoyed it, looked forward to his sequel, Grant Comes East. After starting the book, I ran through it in less than two days, relishing every page. Grant Comes East is a masterful piece of the age-old what might have been genre. Gingrich marvelously writes his characters, Grant, Lincoln, and Lee most famously, but also those less known to history such as Union Generals Haupt and Sickles. Haupt is the Union general in charge of logistics and supply of the army (what I found to be a refreshing inclusion) and is highlighted throughout the story as a miracle worker, shifting men and supplies across the Union to confront the threat Lee's army now poses to Washington. While Sickles, the somewhat erratic Union general and Tammany crony (who in actuality lost his leg at Gettysburg), maneuvers himself into command of the remnants of the Army of the Potomac and eagerly looks forward to capturing glory prior to the 1864 election.

Gingrich does well to keep a great sense of realism throughout a book that hinges on a particularly hypothetical event. Realpolitik and maneuvering are still a fact of life in both the Union and Confederate governments- neither has any foolish, idealistic realizations in the wake of the North's previous defeat. Jefferson Davis and Judah Benjamin (the Confederate Secretary of State) are both brought into the fray and work calculatingly to increase the South's chances of foreign recognition in Europe.

Overall, Grant Comes East is a superbly done, well written "what if" that captures both the wonderful character portraits of a Jeff Shaara novel and the historical possibilities of a Harry Turtledove novel without the blemishes of either. I highly recommend this book for Civil War buffs as well as though with a passing interest in our nation's history.

There are very few books written, that get you so wrapped up in the story, you clearly visualize the charachters and the events as they happen. Grant Comes East is just such a book.

Gingrich and Forstchen appear to have done outstanding research to the smallest detail, accurately describing the personalities of the primary individuals and their battlefield tactics. Grant Comes East takes a fascinating turn as the Union Army tries to recover after the decimation of the Army of Potomac at Union Mills. Grant takes the reigns as the Army's new commander and he seeks to re-organize in hopes of seeking Lee in one large-scale battle.

Lee's Army of Northern Virgina boasting with confidence after their victory at Union Mills are mere days or weeks away from victory if all goes as planned. Lee is cautious and notes that despite the large-scale victory that they've just enjoyed, the Conferederate Army remains outnumbered.

Grant Comes East tackles the difficult political issues that face the Union and the obstacles that lie in the way of the solution both sides seek: and end to this war. Like no other book(or series of books) before it, it truly answers the question "What if Lee had been victorious at Gettysburg?"

I bought this book for my husband for Fathers Day. He is a real civil war buff, union fan at that. He began reading and simply could not put it down. He said it was a book he actually hated putting down but also hated knowing that the more he read the closer he was to finishing it. He has requested the 1st one about Gettysburg and is already anticipating the coming of the 3rd book in this series. It was fun to see my husband enjoying a book like my children enjoy their toys at christmas. Love it and Five Stars.