BORN TO BATTLE Grant and Forrest: Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga; the Campaigns That Doomed the Confederacy

Joe Barrett gives another fine reading in presenting this dual biography, which focuses on the careers of Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Nathan Bedford Forrest during the years 1862-1863. Both men came from the working class, and this quality is emphasized as the author discusses the maturation of Grant as a strategic genius and Forrest as a battle leader and tactician. Barrett’s gravelly voice and Midwestern accent go well with the text, and he does well in relating this detailed work. His pacing is easygoing but not slow, and he is able to affect Southern and other accents effectively when reading quotes and then switch back to the narrative without skipping a beat. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2012]