'Road Past Kennesaw: The Atlanta Campaign Of 1864' Summary

Richard M. McMurry's "Road Past Kennesaw: The Atlanta Campaign of 1864" meticulously recounts the pivotal campaign that began in May 1864 and ultimately concluded with the capture of Atlanta by Union forces. The book delves into the military strategies of both the Union and Confederate armies, highlighting the challenges of fighting a war in a geographically diverse and increasingly ravaged landscape. McMurry emphasizes the importance of railroads in both planning and executing military maneuvers, showcasing how the campaign became a struggle for control of vital transportation routes. He reveals the personal stories of soldiers and civilians through their letters and diaries, providing a poignant and multifaceted perspective on the human cost of war. This campaign, which witnessed relentless fighting under harsh conditions and significant loss of life on both sides, played a pivotal role in shaping the course of the Civil War. It ultimately paved the way for Sherman's March to the Sea, weakening Confederate forces and demonstrating the North's unwavering determination to see the war through to victory. "Road Past Kennesaw" provides a compelling and historically significant account of this crucial turning point in American history.