About 2 1/2 years ago, I picked up a book by a new author, Russell S. Bonds. The book was “Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor.” I had heard about the book and read many very good reviews on Amazon.com. The narrative details the efforts of the Andrews Raiders to steal the Confederate locomotive, the General. The plan was to steal the locomotive and tear up the railroad line north of Atlanta. For their heroism several of the raiders received the Medal of Honor – the first time this now illustrious medal was awarded to American soldiers. I thoroughly enjoyed “Stealing the General” and was very impressed with Bonds’ research and enjoyable writing style. Bottom line, the book was a great read. This past August, I was excited to learn that Bonds had a new book being published the following month. “War Like the ThunderBOLT: The Battle and Burning of Atlanta” is published by Westholme Publishing. Bruce Franklin, from Westholme, was kind enough to send me a review copy.
Russell Bonds describes himself as a “southern boy.” Having grown up in Atlanta, Bonds has had a life long passion for the Civil War. In our interview, he described Boy Scout camping trips to Chickamauga and Kennesaw Mountain. Having grown up in the northern suburb of Marietta, he had easy access to the Kennesaw Mountain battlefield. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech, Mr. Bonds went on to law school at the University of Georgia where he received his law degree magna cum laude. He now works as a counsel for the Coca-Cola Company. Russell lives with his wife, Jill, and their three daughters in Marietta.
After a short wait, I received “War Like the ThunderBOLT.” Being somewhat old school, and wanting to hold each new book while I examine the cover and inside flaps, I always look forward to receiving those special packages in the mail. But for me, already a fan of Bonds, I was like a child at Christmas-time waiting for this book to arrive. After a quick scan of the book, I placed it on the shelf with other unread review copies. At that time, I was in the midst of reviewing a couple other books. Once I had finished them, I was drawn to the cover of “War Like the ThunderBOLT,” and grabbed it from the shelf. I was not disappointed. Mr. Bonds newest work was fun, easy and quick to read. One of those books that you grab whenever you have an extra five minutes to read. I recognized very quickly, that Bonds is a master storyteller. While it was clearly evident that Russ had spent much time on research, and that he does a terrific job writing about the tactical sides of a battle, he is at his best when he tells the story of individual soldiers’ battlefield experiences or citizens living through the hell of being collateral victims.
In “War Like the ThunderBOLT,” Bonds starts by providing chapter long biographical sketches of the three major participants of the Atlanta Campaign: US Major General William T. Sherman, CSA General Joseph E. Johnston and General John Bell Hood. In chapter two, “The Gamecock,” Mr. Bonds describes Johnston’s continual retrograde movements, towards Atlanta, and wraps up with the order relieving him of command of the Army of Tennessee. During our interview, Russ was quick to point out that he was fortunate to have so many colorful characters to write about, for this book. There is no doubt that “Old Woodenhead” John Bell Hood and William “Crazy Bill” Sherman were the most colorful characters in the Western Theater of the Civil War. By the time you start the fourth chapter, “Hood’s First Sortie,” you are quickly enveloped in the tactical battle of Peachtree Creek. Besides adroitly taking the reader through the tactical aspects of the battle, Bonds immerses the reader in tales of the individual soldiers, getting out of their way and letting them tell you, the reader, what they experienced on the battlefield. I have countless books on the Civil War that superbly describe the tactical actions of the battle, but fall short in providing quality primary source material that allows you to truly become part of the battle. Not so with this book. In the following chapters, Bonds takes you on a journey to the other major battles of the Atlanta Campaign: Atlanta, Ezra Church, three cavalry raids and the culminating battle at Jonesborough (now called Jonesboro). While you take this journey with Russ, you also learn of the hardships the citizens of Atlanta lived through while war waged around them. You feel their terror as they see wounded soldiers streaming through town or are deafened by fused ordinance whistling overhead and detonating just past them. The experiences of the civilians of Atlanta, and their stories of the siege on their city, are what sets this book apart from other narratives on the Atlanta Campaign. Bonds finally tells the story of the Federal occupation of the city, the subsequent expulsion of her residents and Hood’s campaign to sever the Federal supply line – the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Saved for last is the story of the resurgence of Atlanta.
“War Like the ThunderBOLT” is a must read for Civil War enthusiasts with an interest in the Western Theater of the war. However, even a casual student of the Civil War will enjoy the book, and the story it tells. If you have not read “Stealing the General,” I also recommend that you purchase it. It compliments his newest work and is now available in paperback.
On December 30, 2009, I was able to interview Mr. Bonds. He was very gracious with his time and provides a great deal of analysis on the Atlanta Campaign, his research for the book and other interesting points. The complete interview is available in a streaming format below. As always, I have separated the audio interview into shorter parts so you can take your time listening to it and return later for subsequent parts. There is also a link to download the entire interview to your computer or MP3 device. I hope you enjoy listening to the interview as much as I did speaking with Russell Bonds.
Details about “War Like the ThunderBOLT: The Battle and Burning of Atlanta”
Written by: Russell S. Bonds
Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Westholme Publishing
Date of First Edition: September 2, 2009
ISBN-10: 1594161003
Russell S. Bonds Interview – 12 Parts
Interview Date: December 30, 2009
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes 54 seconds
Click HERE to download the complete interview.
Part 1: Russell Bonds Interview Part 1
Time: 7:50
Contents: Welcome and introduction | Why the title “War Like the ThunderBOLT: The Battle and Burning of Atlanta | About Russ and how he became interested in history | Sherman’s movement towards Atlanta – “A regular southbound schedule on the state railroad | The strategic situation facing Joseph E. Johnston in the spring and summer of 1864
Part 2: Russell Bonds Interview Part 2
Time: 7:02
Contents: About “Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor” | Strategic importance of Johnston abandoning the Chattahoochee River line? | The atmosphere in Johnston’s Army of Tennessee during their retrograde movements to Atlanta | The exodus of civilians from Atlanta when Sherman’s army arrived north of Atlanta
Part 3: Russell Bonds Interview Part 3
Time: 7:13
Contents: The ascendancy of John Bell Hood to command of the Army of Tennessee | Hood’s “First Foray:” The Battle of Peachtree Creek
Part 4: Russell Bonds Interview Part 4
Time: 5:16
Contents: Another purge of civilians after the Battle of Peachtree Creek and initial bombardment of Atlanta | General James B. McPherson’s best opportunity to crush Hood?
Part 5: Russell Bonds Interview Part 5
Time: 5:27
Contents: John Bell Hood attacks McPherson at the Battle of Atlanta
Part 6: Russell Bonds Interview Part 6
Time: 6:41
Contents: Mr. Bonds use of primary source material – researching “War Like the ThunderBOLT” | Major General John Logan vs. Oliver O. Howard for command of the Army of the Tennessee
Part 7: Russell Bonds Interview Part 7
Time: 7:40
Contents: The Battle of Ezra Church and S.D. Lee’s performance | The effects of the Northern nominating conventions on the campaigns of 1864 | Major General George Stoneman’s raid south of Atlanta – the capture of General Stoneman | Joe Wheeler’s rodeo
Part 8: Russell Bonds Interview Part 8
Time: 6:44
Contents: Joe Wheeler’s raid on Sherman’s supply line | The effect of Wheeler’s Raid on the Army of Tennessee | Kilpatrick’s Raid on Hood’s supply line | Sherman’s infantry pushes south of Atlanta – The Battle of Jonesborough | Was Hood’s hold on Atlanta doomed?
Part 9: Russell Bonds Interview Part 9
Time: 7:31
Contents: John Bell Hood’s departure from Atlanta and the firing of Confederate supplies | Communication between Hood and Sherman after Sherman issues his expulsion order | Hood vacates Lovejoy’s Station and raids Sherman’s supply line | P.G.T. Beauregard takes command of the Western Theater
Part 10: Russell Bonds Interview Part 10
Time: 7:30
Contents: By the saving grace of battlefield victories Lincoln is reelected | The burning of Northern Georgia and Atlanta | Sherman’s “hard war” | Sherman’s return to Atlanta in 1879 | The rebound of Atlanta: from ashes to vibrant world class city
Part 11: Russell Bonds Interview Part 11
Time: 4:41
Contents: William T Sherman: football coach or corporate executive – Sherman wins | Vanishing battlefields in Atlanta | Bonds discusses the maps used in “War Like the ThunderBOLT”
Part 12: Russell Bonds Interview Part 12
Time: 2:19
Contents: Future plans for Russ | Closing and wrap up
Other Great Civil War Titles From Russell S. Bonds
Details about “Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor”
Written by: Russell S. Bonds
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Westholme Publishing
Date of First Edition: October 14, 2006
ISBN-10: 1594160333
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