General Sherman's 1864 burning of Atlanta solidified his legacy as a ruthless leader. Yet Sherman proved far more complex than his legendary military tactics reveal. In this new biography of one of America's most storied military figures, James Lee McDonough offers fresh insight into a man tormented by the fear that history would pass him by, who was plagued by personal debts, and who lived much of his life separated from his family.

Military Reading List: Army 2017. Includes maps of: Shiloh Battlefield; Shiloh-Position of Union Divisions; Bull Run Battlefield; Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh Operations Area; Vicksburg Operations Area; Chickasaw Bayou and Steele's Bayou Operation Area; Vicksburg, 18 MAY-4 JUL 1863; Area of Sherman's Chattanooga Operations; From Chattanooga to Atlanta; Region of the March to Savannah and Columbia with Rail Network.

Prologue: death stared us all in the face -- My father named me William Tecumseh -- I was notified to prepare for West Point -- In the service of my country -- Sand and sun, Seminoles and Spaniards -- Military camaraderie, southern aristocracy, prospective matrimony -- And then there was a war on -- Deprived of military glory -- California again: a brand-new game -- Golden State banker -- I was fit for the army but nothing else -- In a hell of a fix -- No man can foresee the end -- Action at Bull Run -- "Crazy" in Kentucky -- Triumphant in Tennessee -- This is no common war -- The strongest place I ever saw -- The river of our greatness is free -- Why was I not killed at Vicksburg? -- One hundred thousand strong -- I knew more of Georgia than the rebels did -- I want a bold push for Atlanta -- It's a big game, but I know I can do it -- Taking the war to the braggart Carolinians -- A soldier of renown -- General-in-chief, I -- General-in-chief, II -- We can only bow to the inevitable.