An interesting view of Davis strictly in his role as CIC of the CSA armed forces. A balanced treatment that recognizes his flaws and his assets in CIC duties.

Recommended for those interested in the history of the Civil War, the Confederacy, Southern politics, or military strategy (though this last subject is not treated in-depth). ( )

James McPherson's book "Embattled Rebel: Jefferson Davis as Commander in Chief" was "OK", and provided some interesting insights, but was neither a complete biography of Davis, nor a complete history of the battles of the Civil War. Instead, as hinted at by the title, its focus was primarily on Davis' role as Commander in Chief of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and how his decisions may have impacted the outcome. It's questionable if Davis could have changed the outcome of the conflict, given the disparity of forces and resources between the two sides. But, ending up on the losing side, and knowing that what WAS done wasn't successful, it leads to questions if alternate approaches might not have produced better results. McPherson helps examining some of these issues. ( )

Embattled Rebel: Jefferson Davis as Commander in Chief, by James M. McPherson (read 3 Apr 2021) This was more favorable to Davis than I am.

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McPherson is a good author, and one of the deans of Civil War history. His take on Jefferson Davis is needed, because he is often consciously, and unconsciously, compared to Lincoln. Any such comparison is to Davis's detriment. Partially because Lincoln is so good and the Confederacy lost. McPherson makes a conscious effort to NOT compare Davis with Lincoln, and the effect is a good overview of Confederate strategy and Confederate war aims. It captures what Davis tried to do, what he did, what he was up against, and gives brief sketches of the people he dealt with and the battles of the Civil War. It is, I think, a necessary title for any Civil War bookshelf. ( )

Pretty fair book about the civil war with a few perspectives of Jefferson Davis thrown in. A s with the book on Lincoln, McPherson organizes the book around five functions performed or overseen by Davis in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief: the formulation of policy, national strategy, military strategy, operations, and tactics. Some comparisons are made with Lincoln, but just a few. Most of the content was repeat of other civil war stories, and yes, I know the background must be told. But,more on Davis himself wold have been nice. The book is ALL about Davis' actions during the Civil war...only a sentence is devoted to post war time and maybe a paragraph on the pre war period of his life. Nothing is said about family. Sickly as he was, mentioned many times. ( )