William C. Oates claim to fame rests on leading the 15th Alabama's futile attack on the 20th Maine on Little Round Top during the second day of the battle of Gettysburg. In contrast to what the title says, Oates was never commissioned a colonel, just as acting colonel. His highest official rank was major, as unnamed opponents undermined and prevented his confirmation. While Oates was a leader of men, he lacked any skill in reading a tactical situation and made bone-headed decisions (such as leading his men on a goose chase up Big Round Top, splitting his already small command or, at Chickamauga, starting uncoordinated attacks). His talents would have been better utilized as a captain. Oates lost his right arm, his brother and his brother-in-law in the war.

From humble beginnings, Oates established himself as a country lawyer, land speculator and later as US congressman for the Bourbon Democrats and Alabama governor. Having himself profited from the help of others, his politics were devoted to enrich himself and his friends, while keeping others down. In the proud tradition of Southern bigots, he thundered against public education (!), equality and intermarriage, while impregnating both his black slave (with whom he co-habited for many years after the war) and a thirteen year-old from a poor part of the town. At least, he provided for both his illegitimate sons. He later married an impoverished Southern Belle more than twenty years his junior. In 1901, Oates played an essential part in disenfranchising both blacks and poor whites in the Alabama constitution. In his last years, He completed a 800 page memoir dedicated to the 15th Alabama and continued to fight for a regimental monument on Little Round Top (still missing).

The biography is readable and well researched (some small mistakes, such as calling the Union soldiers at the dedication of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Battlefield Park as Army of the Potomac members whereas only the detached 11th and 12th corps were, the majority being Army of the Tennessee, the Cumberland and the Ohio veterans), but suffers from La Fantaisie's repetitious style. There is really no need to repeat facts by first announcing, then quoting and finally summarizing them. The author also has an unfortunate knack for platitudes. Overall, a good portrait of an unpleasant man. ( )