From Publishers Weekly
Former congressman Gingrich and historical fiction writer Forstchen once again collaborate to produce an exciting alternative history of the Civil War (after 2003's bestselling Gettysburg). This second volume finds Lee and his victorious army in Maryland, poised to assault Washington, D.C.. The Confederates hope to capture the capital and President Lincoln, bring a sympathetic Maryland into the Confederacy, gain European recognition and force the Union into peace negotiations. The Union is in a desperate situation. The capital is cut off, Northern cities are burning in the bloody draft riots and the nearest intact Union army is General Grant's western force, rushing to the east from Vicksburg. In the midst of the military chaos, sniping and bickering by generals and politicians on both sides hamper Grant and Lee. Most of Lee's tactical and strategic plans succeed, but he miscalculates Lincoln's resolve and Grant's single-mindedness. And then Grant does something so unexpected that suddenly Lee is the one on the run. Building on their strong first volume, Gingrich and Forstchen craft an original, dramatic and historically plausible "what if?" story. Character depictions—of Lincoln, Grant and Lee; of the soldiers who fight and die; and of the civilians who plot and panic—are vivid, detailed and insightful. This is one of the best novels of the Civil War to appear in recent years. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From AudioFile
Could the South have won the Civil War? Gingrich and Forstchen continue to explore this question in the second volume of the alternate history they began with Gettysburg. Bits of fife and drum music add a military flavor to the production. Boyd Gaines reads with an intensity that sets the heart racing as hard as that of any soldier marching into battle. General Grant seethes with anger over political maneuvering in Washington. A Confederate sergeant hugs the earth, looking back to see if more men are coming to support his unit. General Lee mourns the cost in lives he's paid for victory. Gaines delivers all with the deft touch of a master tactician. It's truly a remarkable performance. R.G.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Historian and former speaker of the House of Representatives Gingrich and cowriter Forstchen, a veteran author of historical fiction, continue their new alternate-history series. It began with the eminently successful Gettysburg (2003), in which the authors reimagined the outcome of that war-turning battle of the Civil War, handing to General Lee the laurels of victory rather than the ignominy of defeat. Now, in this follow-up volume, they put their imaginative heads together to see how, since they freed the Confederates from suffering a major blow at Gettysburg, the Southerners would take advantage of the situation to further their cause on the field of battle. And what the authors come up with is as rivetingly plausible as what they devised in the previous novel. Their "invention" here centers on the Union government's bringing General Grant eastward from his recent victory in Vicksburg; of course, the immediate ramification of Lee's win at Gettysburg (see how easy it is to be seduced by these authors' version of events?) is the threatened safety of Washington, D.C.--and further down the line, the possibility of actual and official recognition of the Confederacy by the European powers. Gingrich and Forstchen's readjustments to history are notably original. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Grant Comes East, the second book in the series by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen, continues the story of a Confederate victory at Gettysburg. The first book examined the great "what if" of American history: Could Lee have won the Battle of Gettysburg? A Confederate victory, however, would not necessarily mean that the Southern cause has gained its final triumph and a lasting peace. It is from this departure point that the story continues in Grant Comes East, as General Robert E. Lee marches on Washington, D.C. and launches an assault against one of the largest fortifications in the world." "Across 140 years, nearly all historians have agreed that after the defeat of the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg, the taking of Washington D.C. would end the war. But was it possible?" "Lee knows that a frontal assault against such fortifications could devastate his army, but it is a price he fears must be paid for final victory. Beyond a military victory in the field, Lee must also overcome the defiant stand of President Abraham Lincoln, who vows that regardless of the defeat at Gettysburg, his solemn pledge to preserve the Union will be honored. Lincoln will mobilize the garrison of Washington to hold on no matter what the costs." "At the same time, Lincoln has appointed General Ulysses S. Grant as commander of all Union forces. Grant, fresh from his triumph at Vicksburg, races east, bringing with him his hardened veterans from Mississippi to confront Lee." What ensues across the next six weeks is a titanic struggle as the surviving Union forces inside the fortifications of Washington fight to hang on, while Grant prepares his counterblow. The defeated Army of the Potomac, staggered by the debacle dealt at Gettysburg, is not yet completely out of the fight, and is slowly reorganizing. Its rogue commander, General Dan Sickles, is thirsting for revenge against Lee, the restoration of the honor of his army, and the fulfillment of his own ambitions, which reach all

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Former congressman Gingrich and historical fiction writer Forstchen once again collaborate to produce an exciting alternative history of the Civil War (after 2003's bestselling Gettysburg). This second volume finds Lee and his victorious army in Maryland, poised to assault Washington, D.C.. The Confederates hope to capture the capital and President Lincoln, bring a sympathetic Maryland into the Confederacy, gain European recognition and force the Union into peace negotiations. The Union is in a desperate situation. The capital is cut off, Northern cities are burning in the bloody draft riots and the nearest intact Union army is General Grant's western force, rushing to the east from Vicksburg. In the midst of the military chaos, sniping and bickering by generals and politicians on both sides hamper Grant and Lee. Most of Lee's tactical and strategic plans succeed, but he miscalculates Lincoln's resolve and Grant's single-mindedness. And then Grant does something so unexpected that suddenly Lee is the one on the run. Building on their strong first volume, Gingrich and Forstchen craft an original, dramatic and historically plausible "what if?" story. Character depictions-of Lincoln, Grant and Lee; of the soldiers who fight and die; and of the civilians who plot and panic-are vivid, detailed and insightful. This is one of the best novels of the Civil War to appear in recent years. Agent, Jillian Manus. (June) Forecast: Some general readers may find the book dense, but fans of Civil War fiction will relish the alternative perspective, and even demanding nonfiction buffs will be won over by the novel's stirring battle scenes and convincing historical details. Ten-city author tour. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

AudioFile

While co-authors Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen bring impressive credentials to their task, this novel is a pretty standard alternative history, imagining a different course for the Civil War. The level of detail is impressive and ranges from the food and clothing of the common soldier to high-level political and tactical maneuvering. But the actual writing is clunky and melodramatic at times. The broad cast of characters poses a problem for narrator Boyd Gaines, whose voice is always clear and often dramatic, but not always distinct. Some of the regional accents shift a bit through the course of the book, making it harder to differentiate among characters. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews