The Dogs of War: 1861

Pivotal Moments in American History

by Emory M. Thomas

In 1861, Americans thought that the war looming on their horizon would be brief. None foresaw that they were embarking on our nation's worst calamity, a four-year bloodbath that cost the lives of more than half a million people. But as eminent Civil War historian Emory Thomas points out in this stimulating and provocative book, once the dogs of war are unleashed, it is almost impossible to rein them in.
In The Dogs of War , Thomas highlights the delusions that dominated each side's thinking. Lincoln believed that most Southerners loved the Union, and would be dragged unwillingly into secession by the planter class. Jefferson Davis could not quite believe that Northern resolve would survive the first battle. Once the Yankees witnessed Southern determination, he hoped, they would acknowledge Confederate independence. These two leaders, in turn, reflected widely held myths. Thomas weaves his exploration of these misconceptions into a tense narrative of the months leading up to the war, from the "Great Secession Winter" to a fast-paced account of the Fort Sumter crisis in 1861.
Emory M. Thomas's books demonstrate a breathtaking range of major Civil War scholarship, from The Confederacy as a Revolutionary Experience and the landmark The Confederate Nation , to definitive biographies of Robert E. Lee and J.E.B. Stuart. In The Dogs of War , he draws upon his lifetime of study to offer a new perspective on the outbreak of our national Iliad.

Genres: History, Civil War, War, American History, Nonfiction, Civil War History, Military Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2011

About the author

A noted scholar of the Civil War, Emory Thomas is a Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Georgia.

Reviews

[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book gives a nice overview of the early thinking--or lack of it--of many of the key players leading to the start of the Civil War, and up through the Confederate victory at the first battle of Bull Run. It seems the author's intention is to demonstrate how, through combinations of ignorance, incompetence, misguided perceptions of reality, and wrong expectations of the reactions of others, a situation that probably could have been averted was not; hence the 'dogs of war' were unleashed, resulting in consequences almost too horrendous to describe.
Recommended for anyone wanting a quick refresher on the civil war, and this era of American history - one that has sadly been dismissed and/or demeaned of late, by those who've never bothered to study it.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

At less than 100 pages, it was more of an extended essay than a book. It was well written, but nothing in it that a student of the start of the war wouldn't have already been aware of.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished listening to the audio version of this. Short, informative, and to the point, throughly enjoyed it. Still need to get the print version to look over his references, but definitely worth the while.

[RK Byers · Rating 3 out of 5]

good, but a little too pro-Davis anti-Lincoln for my tastes.

[Mari Stroud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am deeply suspicious of any author so fond of quoting themselves.

[Melissa Salsgiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short commentary on different aspects of the War Dogs and their positions. Took no time to read but enlightened me to these War Dogs. Worth the read.

[David Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise review of the misguided mindset of the major people involved in the run-up to the civil war. I really enjoyed Thamas' perspective and am glad to be the wiser for it.

[Michael Thiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the section on Manitowoc, Wisconsin!!!

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Historian Emory M. Thomas published the book entitled The Dogs of War: 1861 in 2011. The book is part of the Pivotal Moments in American History series. The book contains maps. The book also contains a section of notes and an index. Emory M. Thomas is a Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Georgia in Athens. Thomas specialized in the American Civil War. Unlike the other books, in the series of Pivotal Moments in American History, this short is more a series of essays than a historical monograph. Thomas writes that he views this book as a product of thinking about the American Civil War for his entire academic career. He is trying to figure out what both sides of the Civil War were thinking (Thomas xi). The series of essays about The Dogs of War: 1861 is about the beginning of the American Civil War and warfare in general. The book contains two brief chapters that contain biographical sketches of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis at the beginning of the Civil War. The book has five chapters plus a preface and conclusion. The book is 92 pages. The book contains a brief history of the Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers and the Eighth Georgia Infantry Regiment, two regiments on both sides of the Civil War that joined the war in 1861. I found Emory M. Thomas’ book The Dogs of War: 1861 to be an interesting book.

[Sean O'Hara · Rating 2 out of 5]

So why did America go to war with itself in 1861? Despite generations of Confederate apologists trying (and succeeding) to convince schoolbook publishers that it's a complicated question, the answer is quite simple -- slavery. There was no other reason on the Southern mind in 1860 and '61.

But that does leave the question, why 1861? There'd been other crises before -- 1832 and 1850 -- that didn't boil over. It's an interesting question that most historians don't bother addressing. Emory Thomas tries to answer that here, but the result is less than satisfactory. Yes, both sides underestimated each other. Yes, civilian leaders failed to consult their military commanders (or, in the case of Lincoln with Winfield Scott, dismissed the answer). But he doesn't explain why it happened differently this time. Why were the leaders on both sides in 1861 of a different mind than those in 1850? There are plenty of obvious answers involving the politics of the previous decade, but Thomas doesn't address them. In many ways this reads like a proposal for a longer, more detailed work.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dogs of War by Emory Thomas explores the questions around why the North and South had such delusions about the upcoming war and what assumptions (incorrect) each side had about the other. From Lincoln’s belief that the average Southerner did not want to leave the Union to the widespread political disbelief in modern warfare all created a perfect storm that would leave the shock of First Manassas (Bull Run) something neither side was expecting. Based upon the research done by Emory it appears the only person who foresaw a long and drawn out conflict was Jefferson Davis but Davis felt compelled to carry out the war despite the costs he knew it would face. Overall it is a good thought provoking read although it gets a little tiring to hear the author quote themselves so much. For those starting out in Civil War literature this is a great place to start. For those looking for a deep dive it won’t be found here.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really unique approach and alternate view of widely known events surrounding the civil war. I really enjoyed the book but the author failed to fully support some of his positions and often left me wanting more

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explores the poetical thoughts of both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis on the American Civil War. It investigates the mood of the country and the true causes of the war. A good thought provoking read.

[Nancy Midgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting approach to the causes of the Civil War.

[David Melbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas is, of course, correct; 'Three of the most dangerous words in the English language are "History teaches us . . .".'

[H.S. Kylian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick introduction to the events that led to the Battle of Fort Sumter.