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Title	:	Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor
Author	:	Russell S. Bonds
Book Format	:	Hardcover
Book Edition	:	First Edition
Pages	:	Pages: 444 pages
Published	:	October 16th 2006 by Westholme Publishing (first published October 15th 2006)
Categories	:	History. Military History. Civil War. Nonfiction. American History. American Civil War. War

Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor

Russell S. Bonds

Hardcover | Pages: 444 pages

Rating: 3.95 | 570 Users | 79 Reviews

Interpretation To Books Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor

On April 12, 1862—one year to the day after Confederate guns opened on Fort Sumter and started the Civil War—a tall, mysterious smuggler and self-appointed Union spy named James J. Andrews and nineteen infantry volunteers infiltrated north Georgia and stole a steam engine called the General. Racing northward at speeds approaching sixty miles an hour, cutting telegraph lines and destroying track along the way, Andrews planned to open East Tennessee to the Union army, cutting off men and matériel from the Confederate forces in Virginia. If they succeeded, Andrews and his raiders could change the course of the war. But the General's young conductor, William A. Fuller, chased the stolen train first on foot, then by handcar, and finally aboard another engine, the Texas. He pursued the General until, running out of wood and water, Andrews and his men abandoned the doomed locomotive, ending the adventure that would soon be famous as The Great Locomotive Chase. But the ordeal of the soldiers involved was just beginning. In the days that followed, the "engine thieves" were hunted down and captured. Eight were tried and executed as spies, including Andrews. Eight others made a daring escape to freedom, including two assisted by a network of slaves and Union sympathizers. For their actions, before a personal audience with President Abraham Lincoln, six of the raiders became the first men in American history to be awarded the Medal of Honor—the nation's highest decoration for gallantry.

Americans north and south, both at the time and ever since, have been astounded and fascinated by this daring raid. But until now, there has not been a complete history of the entire episode and the fates of all those involved. Based on eyewitness accounts, as well as correspondence, diaries, military records, newspaper reports, deposition testimony and other primary sources, Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor by Russell S. Bonds is a blend of meticulous research and compelling narrative that is now considered to be the definitive history of "the boldest adventure of the war."

Point Books As Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor

Original Title:	Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor
ISBN:	1594160333 (ISBN13: 9781594160332)
Edition Language:	English
Setting:	Georgia(United States)
Literary Awards:	Richard Barksdale Harwell Book Award (2007)

Rating Epithetical Books Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor

Ratings: 3.95 From 570 Users | 79 Reviews

Critique Epithetical Books Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor

Mr. Bonds has written quite the encompassing history of the Great Locomotive Chase. He covers seemingly every single facet of this incredible story, almost to a fault, and does so without diverting the attention from central figures or the main story. This book fully illustrates the subject, yet never grows exhausting in its extensive research, and Bonds' talent as a storyteller as well as a historian shines through this heroic yet tragic piece of American history.And I'm not kidding when I say

James Andrews as scout/spy, eastern TN 2to1 union, Mitchell astronomy, 24 Andrews Raiders ages 17-33 all Ohio Mitchell Raiders telegraph bridges, go to Marietta first 200 miles in 4 days, 2 recruited on journey to one to canons and other escaped, Chattanooga a wild place, after engine left station 3 ran on foot, journey to Chat has 28 full circles at 1% grade, RR accidents 14xEngland, made 89 miles then 20 abandoned all captured, one whipped, dungeon in Chat where 7 hung-2 twice plus Andrews

This is a great story and had the potential to be rated much higher. The climax of the book occurs way too early. Additionally, there are too many superfluous details. The captures and courts-martial were too disjointed and drawn out (it would have been better if he simply picked a pair to follow and wrote that story summarizing the others). The very last sections read like a textbook on the MOH and deaths of the stakeholders. This effectively kills any momentum the book still had. Three stars.

Excellent narrative history of the Andrews Raid. Although I listened to the audiobook (excellent narration by Bronson Pinchot [fortunately not in his Balki/Serge voice]), and as usual, bibligraphic information was deleted, it appeared that the author did his research. The imprisonment and execution scenes are bleak, so be forewarned.

Non-fiction represents about 20% of my book reading choices. I am very happy I chose this volume to listen to. I usually have at least one audio book going at any given time. This story, narrated by Bronson Pinchot, held me enthralled for about two weeks (I only listen during workouts and gardening chores). This is the story of a group of two dozen very brave Union soldiers from Ohio infiltrating the border between the US and the CSA for the purpose of stealing a locomotive (The General) and

When in Kennesaw for a sporting event, I took the opportunity to check out the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. There I learned of the General and its history. Wanting to learn more, I checked this book out of the library. Im glad I did as I learned much more detail about the great locomotive chase as well as the Medal of Honor. Those that like Civil War history should enjoy this book. It was well written.

Very well researched and written account of early Civil War exploit. After our recent visit to Kennesaw Mountain and the railroad museum where the General is displayed, the book filled in the details and gave life to the participants.