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The Grand Design: Strategy and the U.S. Civil War First Edition
byDonald Stoker(Author)
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Winner of the 2010 Fletcher Pratt Award
Of the tens of thousands of books exploring virtually every aspect of the Civil War, surprisingly little has been said about what was in fact the determining factor in the outcome of the conflict: differences in Union and Southern strategy.
InThe Grand Design, Donald Stoker provides a comprehensive and often surprising account of strategy as it evolved between Fort Sumter and Appomattox. Reminding us that strategy is different from tactics (battlefield deployments) and operations (campaigns conducted in pursuit of a strategy), Stoker examines how Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis identified their political goals and worked with their generals to craft the military means to achieve them--or how they often failed to do so. Stoker shows that Davis, despite a West Point education and experience as Secretary of War, failed as a strategist by losing control of the political side of the war. His invasion of Kentucky was a turning point that shifted the loyalties and vast resources of the border states to the Union. Lincoln, in contrast, evolved a clear strategic vision, but he failed for years to make his generals implement it. At the level of generalship, Stoker notes that Robert E. Lee correctly determined the Union's center of gravity, but proved mistaken in his assessment of how to destroy it. Stoker also presents evidence that the Union could have won the war in 1862, had it followed the grand plan of the much-derided general, George B. McClellan.
Arguing that the North's advantages in population and industry did not ensure certain victory, Stoker reasserts the centrality of the overarching military ideas--the strategy--on each side, showing how strategy determined the war's outcome.
Of the tens of thousands of books exploring virtually every aspect of the Civil War, surprisingly little has been said about what was in fact the determining factor in the outcome of the conflict: differences in Union and Southern strategy.
InThe Grand Design, Donald Stoker provides a comprehensive and often surprising account of strategy as it evolved between Fort Sumter and Appomattox. Reminding us that strategy is different from tactics (battlefield deployments) and operations (campaigns conducted in pursuit of a strategy), Stoker examines how Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis identified their political goals and worked with their generals to craft the military means to achieve them--or how they often failed to do so. Stoker shows that Davis, despite a West Point education and experience as Secretary of War, failed as a strategist by losing control of the political side of the war. His invasion of Kentucky was a turning point that shifted the loyalties and vast resources of the border states to the Union. Lincoln, in contrast, evolved a clear strategic vision, but he failed for years to make his generals implement it. At the level of generalship, Stoker notes that Robert E. Lee correctly determined the Union's center of gravity, but proved mistaken in his assessment of how to destroy it. Stoker also presents evidence that the Union could have won the war in 1862, had it followed the grand plan of the much-derided general, George B. McClellan.
Arguing that the North's advantages in population and industry did not ensure certain victory, Stoker reasserts the centrality of the overarching military ideas--the strategy--on each side, showing how strategy determined the war's outcome.
- ISBN-100195373057
- ISBN-13978-0195373059
- EditionFirst Edition
- PublisherOxford University Press
- Publication dateJuly 15, 2010
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions9.44 x 6.33 x 1.54 inches
- Print length498 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Winner of the 2010 Fletcher Pratt Award
"The Grand Design provides readers with a handy guide to Civil War strategies and strategists. It makes a convincing case that the North won the war in large part because Lincoln and the best of his generals were better strategists than their counterparts in Dixie."--James M. McPherson,North and South Magazine"Finally, a Civil War study that reveals why strategy mattered to Union victory. Clearly and forcefully,The Grand Design shows how the Union learned to use its military force in pursuit of its political objectives."--William L. Barney, author of The Making of a Confederate
"A superbly written, well-researched, and detailed analysis.... Stoker's first-rate study revives the role of strategy in the conversation on why the Union won the Civil War." --Howard Jones, University of Alabama, author ofMutiny on the Amistad
"Donald Stoker breaks with a generation's worth of cliches in this stimulating and persuasive demonstration that the Civil War's crucial contrast was not between ideas or resource bases. It involved strategy.... As good a book on the Civil War as I've read for a decade."--Dennis Showalter, author ofPatton and Rommel: Men of War in the 20th Century
"Stoker's grand overview of strategy is a welcome introduction to the big picture of the Civil War. Too often, the American Civil War is read as an ill-fitting string of tactical incidents, determined almost entirely by the personalities of successful generals. Looked at in Stoker's bird's-eye fashion, the large-scale strategic picture, as well as the large-scale strategic mistakes, finally begin to become clear."--Allen C. Guelzo, Director, Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College, author ofLincoln and Douglas
"Donald Stoker's book offers a new way of looking at both the military and political history of the Civil War, and does so from a strategic vantage point far above that to which we have been accustomed. The Grand Design represents and important advance in our understanding of this momentous event."--Steven E. Woodsworth, author ofNothing but Victory: The Army of the Tennessee, 1861-1865
"A signal contribution to understanding the dynamics of the war." --Library Journal
"Mr. Stoker has written a fascinating study of why strategy mattered in the American Civil War. With excellent maps at important points in his narrative, he clearly leads the reader through the conflict. He also makes it evident that Lincoln masterfully managed the resources at his disposal; and his counterpart did not. Mr. Stoker's work should be on the shelf of anyone interested in the American Civil War. --NY Journal of Books
"Stoker examines all aspects of the war, blending political and military details very successfully, to assert his belief that the war's outcome boiled down, primarily, to President Lincoln's superior strategic plan."--Confederate Book Review
"Despite some doubts over the book's fundamental perspective, one cannot praise too highly the depth and acuity of the analysis that Stoker deploys in a trenchant and refreshingly well-written book, mercifully free of dreary jargon. Stoker touches upon most of the debates among Civil War historians. He downplays the overall significance of technology, arguing that it mainly affected tactics, not strategy, though such an assertion underestimates the strategic significance of railroads.... Yet there can be no denying that henceforth no historian of the subject can afford to ignore Stoker's views, and the legions of Civil War readers must be prepared to have their horizons stretched."--Brian Holden Reid,Civil War Book Review
"Military-minded Civil War aficionados will find much appeal in the treatment of strategy emphasized in this book."--St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Stoker's book on the changing strategies of the military and civilian leaders in the North and South during the conflict casts a fresh light on what remains the most decisive and harrowing war in U.S. history. Stoker presents us with a picture of what Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis and their respective generals thought they should be doing, and with the advantage of hindsight, he evaluates the strategic concepts on both sides of the divide. Students of the Confederacy will find it interesting that he criticizes both Davis and General Joseph Johnston. The study of grand strategy is undergoing a much-needed revival at American universities; this clear and incisive book is a useful addition to the syllabus."--Foreign Affairs
"Superb examination of Civil War strategy. Of the numerous books on the American Civil War, few have explored in depth the critical role of strategy in determining the outcome of this nation's bloodiest conflict. On the eve of the sequicentennial of that war, Donald Stoker fills that gap with a superb examination of the larger employment of military power beyond the battlefield."ARMY Magazine
"For the Civil War buff: As we head into the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States, armchair historians will want to keep up with the sesquicentennial. There is no shortage of excellent guides to the conflict. A recent one that I've enjoyed dipping into isThe Grand Design: Strategy and the U.S. Civil War, by Donald Stoker. Rather than a blow-by-blow account of battles and operations, it describes the strategic objectives of North and South and how civilian and military leaders tried to realize them."--National Review Online"The Grand Design is not for your basic Civil War buff, but it is an intense read on tactics, operations, and strategies that lead you to a deeper understanding of what we were really fighting for and how chance, vision, and perserverance actually led to the restoration of our country."--Sacramento Book Review
"This book will most likely generate controversy. The author has written a study that merits attention. He crafts the work with extensive use of correspondence between the governments and their generals as the civilians and military officers wrestled with the difficulties of implementing strategy. While not everyone will agree with the author's judgments and conclusions, Stoker's book is well worth reading."--Civil War News
"The Grand Design is an excellent look at Civil War strategy with lessons that can be applied today."--Military Review
"Stoker takes his readers on a fascinating tour of the big picture that offers lessons on military theory that are accessible to the layperson. Within this book are surprising, but well argued, assessments of the successes and mistakes of familiar Civil War figures." -The Civil War Monitor
"The Grand Design provides readers with a handy guide to Civil War strategies and strategists. It makes a convincing case that the North won the war in large part because Lincoln and the best of his generals were better strategists than their counterparts in Dixie."--James M. McPherson,North and South Magazine"Finally, a Civil War study that reveals why strategy mattered to Union victory. Clearly and forcefully,The Grand Design shows how the Union learned to use its military force in pursuit of its political objectives."--William L. Barney, author of The Making of a Confederate
"A superbly written, well-researched, and detailed analysis.... Stoker's first-rate study revives the role of strategy in the conversation on why the Union won the Civil War." --Howard Jones, University of Alabama, author ofMutiny on the Amistad
"Donald Stoker breaks with a generation's worth of cliches in this stimulating and persuasive demonstration that the Civil War's crucial contrast was not between ideas or resource bases. It involved strategy.... As good a book on the Civil War as I've read for a decade."--Dennis Showalter, author ofPatton and Rommel: Men of War in the 20th Century
"Stoker's grand overview of strategy is a welcome introduction to the big picture of the Civil War. Too often, the American Civil War is read as an ill-fitting string of tactical incidents, determined almost entirely by the personalities of successful generals. Looked at in Stoker's bird's-eye fashion, the large-scale strategic picture, as well as the large-scale strategic mistakes, finally begin to become clear."--Allen C. Guelzo, Director, Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College, author ofLincoln and Douglas
"Donald Stoker's book offers a new way of looking at both the military and political history of the Civil War, and does so from a strategic vantage point far above that to which we have been accustomed. The Grand Design represents and important advance in our understanding of this momentous event."--Steven E. Woodsworth, author ofNothing but Victory: The Army of the Tennessee, 1861-1865
"A signal contribution to understanding the dynamics of the war." --Library Journal
"Mr. Stoker has written a fascinating study of why strategy mattered in the American Civil War. With excellent maps at important points in his narrative, he clearly leads the reader through the conflict. He also makes it evident that Lincoln masterfully managed the resources at his disposal; and his counterpart did not. Mr. Stoker's work should be on the shelf of anyone interested in the American Civil War. --NY Journal of Books
"Stoker examines all aspects of the war, blending political and military details very successfully, to assert his belief that the war's outcome boiled down, primarily, to President Lincoln's superior strategic plan."--Confederate Book Review
"Despite some doubts over the book's fundamental perspective, one cannot praise too highly the depth and acuity of the analysis that Stoker deploys in a trenchant and refreshingly well-written book, mercifully free of dreary jargon. Stoker touches upon most of the debates among Civil War historians. He downplays the overall significance of technology, arguing that it mainly affected tactics, not strategy, though such an assertion underestimates the strategic significance of railroads.... Yet there can be no denying that henceforth no historian of the subject can afford to ignore Stoker's views, and the legions of Civil War readers must be prepared to have their horizons stretched."--Brian Holden Reid,Civil War Book Review
"Military-minded Civil War aficionados will find much appeal in the treatment of strategy emphasized in this book."--St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Stoker's book on the changing strategies of the military and civilian leaders in the North and South during the conflict casts a fresh light on what remains the most decisive and harrowing war in U.S. history. Stoker presents us with a picture of what Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis and their respective generals thought they should be doing, and with the advantage of hindsight, he evaluates the strategic concepts on both sides of the divide. Students of the Confederacy will find it interesting that he criticizes both Davis and General Joseph Johnston. The study of grand strategy is undergoing a much-needed revival at American universities; this clear and incisive book is a useful addition to the syllabus."--Foreign Affairs
"Superb examination of Civil War strategy. Of the numerous books on the American Civil War, few have explored in depth the critical role of strategy in determining the outcome of this nation's bloodiest conflict. On the eve of the sequicentennial of that war, Donald Stoker fills that gap with a superb examination of the larger employment of military power beyond the battlefield."ARMY Magazine
"For the Civil War buff: As we head into the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States, armchair historians will want to keep up with the sesquicentennial. There is no shortage of excellent guides to the conflict. A recent one that I've enjoyed dipping into isThe Grand Design: Strategy and the U.S. Civil War, by Donald Stoker. Rather than a blow-by-blow account of battles and operations, it describes the strategic objectives of North and South and how civilian and military leaders tried to realize them."--National Review Online"The Grand Design is not for your basic Civil War buff, but it is an intense read on tactics, operations, and strategies that lead you to a deeper understanding of what we were really fighting for and how chance, vision, and perserverance actually led to the restoration of our country."--Sacramento Book Review
"This book will most likely generate controversy. The author has written a study that merits attention. He crafts the work with extensive use of correspondence between the governments and their generals as the civilians and military officers wrestled with the difficulties of implementing strategy. While not everyone will agree with the author's judgments and conclusions, Stoker's book is well worth reading."--Civil War News
"The Grand Design is an excellent look at Civil War strategy with lessons that can be applied today."--Military Review
"Stoker takes his readers on a fascinating tour of the big picture that offers lessons on military theory that are accessible to the layperson. Within this book are surprising, but well argued, assessments of the successes and mistakes of familiar Civil War figures." -The Civil War Monitor
Book Description
A landmark account of Union and Confederate strategy offers a fascinating new slant on the military and political history of the Civil War
About the Author
Donald Stoker is Professor of Strategy and Policy for the U.S. Naval War College's program at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press
- Publication date : July 15, 2010
- Edition : First Edition
- Language : English
- Print length : 498 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0195373057
- ISBN-13 : 978-0195373059
- Item Weight : 1.85 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.44 x 6.33 x 1.54 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,110,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,780 inMilitary Strategy History (Books)
- #2,316 inU.S. Civil War History
- #12,262 inU.S. State & Local History
- Customer Reviews:
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Donald Stoker is Distinguished Professor of National Security and Resource Strategy at the National Defense University's Dwight D. Eisenhower School in Washington, DC. From 1999 to 2017, he was Professor of Strategy and Policy for the US Naval War College's Monterey Program at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. In 2016, he was a Fellow of the Changing Character of War Programme at the University of Oxford's Pembroke College. During the 2017-2018 academic year he was the Fulbright Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria.
The author or editor of 13 books, these include:
'Purpose and Power: US Grand Strategy from the Revolutionary Era to the Present' (Cambridge University Press, 2024).
'Why America Loses Wars: Limited War and US Strategy from the Korean War to the Present' (Cambridge University Press, 2019, 2022).
'Carl von Clausewitz: His Life and Work' (Oxford University Press, 2014), which is on the British Army professional reading list.
'The Grand Design: Strategy and the US Civil War, 1861-1865' (Oxford University Press, 2010). This won the prestigious Fletcher Pratt award, was a Main Selection of the History Book Club, is on the US Army Chief of Staff's reading list, and is widely used as a text in strategic studies and history courses both in the US and abroad.
Photo Credit: Maria Sigala
Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
88 global ratings
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Customers find the book provides an excellent overview of Civil War strategy, with one customer noting its detailed presentation of strategic and operational reasons for campaigns. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, and customers appreciate its approach to strategy, with one review highlighting the distinction between strategy and tactics.
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9 customers mention understanding, 8 positive, 1 negative
Great book very informativeRead more
...generals and forces, this account ends with providing the reader agood summary of the strategic forces at work that led to Union victory....Read more
Dr Stoker presents avery lucid explanation of the three levels of war: strategic, operational, and tactical....Read more
Very well written and easy to understand. Agreat starting point to understand the war at higher levels of command and leadershipRead more
7 customers mention readability, 7 positive, 0 negative
...But that is a minor criticism as over all this is avery good read....Read more
Good book, but not for everyone, unless you enjoy contemplating stragey and manuevers.Read more
Awonderful and thorough overview of stratify in the Civil War ... I recommend itRead more
Stoker's book is anexcellent read. It is in my opinion the most comprehensive review of the strategic situation in the civil war....Read more
7 customers mention strategy, 6 positive, 1 negative
...explanation of the three levels of war: strategic, operational, andtactical....Read more
...rather a deep examination of the total war perspective and theactual plan to win it. President Obama would benefit from studying Dr. Stoker's book!Read more
This book gives agood look at strategy in the civil war from both sides, telling the story in both an interesting and intellectual manner.Read more
...Itexpanded my ideas about the strategy (and lack of) of the two sides in fighting this war. A very good view....Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2013Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis book is one of the few that address the Civil War from a strategic standpoint. Strategy is significantly different from Tactics. The author lays out a clear means to see how many of the Generals on both sides of the war were knowledgeable in tactics only. Students of warfare will see this tool as a means of studying other wars and battles.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseVery well written and easy to understand. A great starting point to understand the war at higher levels of command and leadership
- Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2014Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseStoker's book is an excellent read. It is in my opinion the most comprehensive review of the strategic situation in the civil war. The book is an excellent complement to Brent Nosworthy's book The Bloody Crucible of Courage.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2010Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThis is a "must read" for the seasoned Civil War History student and our current president. Don Stoker takes you above all the battle and smoke and into the inner logic and strategy of Abraham Lincoln's planning and subsequent execution of the plan of war against the rebel states. This is not a "battle book", but rather a deep examination of the total war perspective and the actual plan to win it. President Obama would benefit from studying Dr. Stoker's book!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2018Format: KindleVerified PurchaseA wonderful and thorough overview of stratify in the Civil War ... I recommend it
- Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2013The book looks at the Civil War from a strategy perspective that I had not read about before. It expanded my ideas about the strategy (and lack of) of the two sides in fighting this war. A very good view. The author still spent a lot of time on individual campaigns but he did keep them in line with the larger points he was trying to make. I did get a bit of Monday Morning Quarterback in this book given the author has definite ideas of how the two sides should have conducted hostilities in terms of goals and movement (objectives in general, not with specific battle tactics). However the on the scene commanders were not privy to the overall view of campaigns and were thus forced to guess what their opponent was up to. But that is a minor criticism as over all this is a very good read. I was surprised at his assessment of McCllean and Brag for their strategic thinking. But he makes good points about them in support of his views.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2020Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis book gives a good look at strategy in the civil war from both sides, telling the story in both an interesting and intellectual manner.
Top reviews from other countries
- ShaeReviewed in Canada on August 7, 2018
5.0 out of 5 starsI love it
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI don't read very much but this book sucked me right in. It's very informative and I would recommend it for any history geek. It came in perfect condition and came the day after I ordered it
