"Although often counted among the Union's top five generals, George Henry Thomas has still not received his due. A Virginian who sided with the North in the Civil War, he was a more complicated commander than traditional views have allowed. Brian Wills now provides a new and more complete look at the life of a man known to history as 'The Rock of Chickamauga, ' to his troops as 'Old Pap, ' and to General William T. Sherman as a soldier who was 'as true as steel.'"--

Young George (1816-1840) -- First duties (1840-1845) -- "Under fire" in Mexico and Virginia (1845-1848) -- New frontiers (1848-1854) -- The west beckons (1854-1860) -- Duty calls (1860-1861) -- Keeping the blue in the Bluegrass (August 1861-January 1862)-- A difficult interlude (February 1862-January 1863) -- "The Rock of Chickamauga" (February-October 1863) -- Redemption at Missionary Ridge (October 1863-January 1864) -- The "Wheel Horse" pulls for Atlanta (February-September 1864) -- Biding time in Tennessee (September-December 1864) -- The "Sledge" hammers Hood (December 15-31, 1864) -- A different kind of war (January-May 1865) -- An exasperating peace (May 1865-December 1866) -- Final stages (1867-1868) -- Thomas's last battles (1869-1870) -- Epilogue: what history has done.