Decision Was Always My Own

Timothy B. Smith teaches history at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He has published numerous books on the Civil War, including Grant Invades Tennessee: The 1862 Battles for Forts Henry and Donelson and Shiloh: Conquer or Perish.

“This is a fine study of Grant and how he tackled the Vicksburg dilemma. It is well researched and written and uses often the words of those involved to move the story along. Smith’s analysis is even-handed. If you ever had doubts as to Grant’s ability as a commander or perhaps thought him overrated, this book should shatter those conceptions. Grant was the pinnacle of Civil War commanders, Vicksburg was his masterpiece and Timothy B. Smith nails it.”— Greg Biggs, Civil War News“The Decision Was Always My Own is an excellent read for anyone who wants to see how Grant evolved as a commander, and how a Civil War army was commanded.”—StrategyPage“Timothy B. Smith’s detailed study of Ulysses S. Grant prior to and during the Vicksburg Campaign will satisfy the most demanding historian, yet it is both readable and entertaining. Refreshingly, the extensive use of primary sources in this work does not rely solely on Grant’s excellent, but humanly biased, memoirs. Instead, Dr. Smith digs deeply into contemporary correspondence to ferret out contradictions or inaccuracies that have been overlooked by many previous authors. What emerges is a narrative of how Grant deals with the complexities of leadership, to include strategy, administration, public affairs, logistics, and politics. Grant’s human side is also revealed through his family relationships. This is definitely a meaningful addition to the Vicksburg bibliotheca.”—Brig. Gen. (Ret.) J. Parker Hills“In this fine volume, Smith thoughtfully and skillfully examines the Civil War’s most decisive western campaign and analyzes the man, the decisions, and the lessons that defined a compelling leadership style in the war’s most important Union victory.”—Stephen D. Engle, author, Gathering to Save a Nation: Lincoln and the Union’s War Governors“The Decision Was Always My Own is a finely constructed reassessment of U.S. Grant's already widely celebrated direction of the Vicksburg Campaign. Maintaining the initiative throughout the process, Grant's chain of decisions together comprised what some historians consider the finest operational performance of the war by any army commander on either side and an informed evaluation of them is one of the book's major strengths. Recommended.”—Andrew J. Wagenhoffer, editor, Civil War Authors and Books Blog