Examines the relationship of the Confederate generals with Jefferson Davis and each other, on and off the battlefield.

"A Main selection of the History Book Club"--page 4 of cover. Includes index.

The man and the hour -- Organizing the Western theater - Kentucky -- The coming of Albert Sidney Johnston -- The gateway to East Tennessee -- Collapse -- Shiloh -- The Gibraltar of the West -- Bragg moves north -- Unified command -- Winter of discontent -- The fall of Vicksburg -- The loss of Tennessee -- To Atlanta and beyond -- The Commander in Chief.