Over Lincoln's Shoulder: The Committee on the Conduct of the War (Modern War Studies)

Traces the history of the Civil War-era Joint Committee on the Conduct of War, focusing on the nature of its power and influence on military policy and discussing the ongoing controversy over whether the committee invigorated or hampered the Union war effort. Presents evidence, including examples of contact between Congress and the military, showing that the committee produced more harm than good as it polarized Congress and the army, limited strategic options, and inflated the reputations of incompetent soldiers. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Bruce Tap is an independent historian who resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has published articles in Civil War History and other journals.