Introduction to american history - Article Example

We Stand by Each other Always: Grant and Sherman Faculty The Significance of Grant and Sherman in American history The paper presents a review of a secondary source. The citation of the secondary source follows Chicago style as listed below. McPherson, James. This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. James McPherson is the author of the article, “We Stand by Each other Always: Grant and Sherman” that is contained in pages 109-121 of the book This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War.

The author has significant academic credentials since he is an American Civil War historian. He has won numerous awards subject to his contributions on American history. Indeed, he has been writing about Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, and other historical aspects in America. He has a Ph.D. of the Highest Distinction from Johns Hopkins University and is the George Henry Davis 86 Professor of American History.1James McPherson wrote the article, “We Stand by Each other Always: Grant and Sherman” in 2007.

2 The divided views on Ulysses S. Grant’s reputation and contribution in American history influenced the author and the political setting of the article.3 While some historians know him as a foremost general of the Civil War, others despise his significance as a biographical subject. The dwindling reputation of Grant as a major figure in American history also influenced the author and the political setting of the article. Moreover, the literature by Bruce Catton on Grant’s wartime achievements also influenced James McPherson into writing this article since they demeaned Grant’s reputation but did not reverse his populism as a major player in the Civil War.

The eminent revival of Grant’s reputation, his influence on General William T. Sherman life, and his winning strategy against the Army of Northern Virginia influenced the political setting of the article.4The intended audiences for the article include historians, history students, people interested in American history, and the general reading public. Notably, James McPherson discusses the historiography of his subjects, Grant and Sherman. The author considers Grant and Sherman’s life, early career, ascent, success, strategies, decisiveness, physical courage, image, and generalship in the Civil War.

5 The author agrees with other historians who have written on this subject. Indeed, he agrees with historians who regard Grant as a drunkard and a foremost general of the Civil War. He addresses opposing arguments by appreciating them and offering his opinion. He recognizes historians who wrote about Sherman but asserts that the Basil H. Liddell Hart’s biography depicts the best study of Sherman’s strategy.6The main idea of the idea is to present Grant and Sherman as major players of the American history.

Indeed, the author argues that Grant’s reputation has recently enjoyed a revival where he remains a popular foremost general of the Civil War and a significant captain of the American history. He also argues that the 1864 strategy that involved Grant and Sherman led to the defeat of the Army of Northern Virginia.7 As a historian, James McPherson uses both primary and secondary sources. However, secondary sources dominate his literature. The footnotes and bibliography reference other important works on American history and Ulysses S. Grant. As such, I think James McPherson makes a persuasive argument by using more secondary sources and a logical flow of ideas.

The argument has a long lasting durability since it relies on historical facts. The author has unstated prejudices that relate to fundamental and accurate things about Ulysses S. Grant that people were not aware. This means that there is need to for more research on this subject.Bibliography“James McPherson.” Princeton University. Last modified September 6, 2012. http://www.princeton.edu/history/people/display_person.xml?netid=jmcphersMcPherson, James. This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War.

New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.