Grant Comes East: A Novel of the Civil War

Written by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen

Narrated by Boyd Gaines

Grant Comes East, the second book in the bestselling series by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen, continues the story of a Confederate victory at Gettysburg.

Across 140 years, nearly all historians have agreed that after the defeat of the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg, the taking of Washington, DC, 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 the way to the White House. All these factors will come together in a climatic struggle spanning the ground from Washington, through Baltimore, to the banks of the Susquehanna River.

Once again, Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen create a brilliant story of how the Civil War could have unfolded. In Grant Comes East, they use their years of research and expertise to take readers on an incredible journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jun 1, 2004
• ISBN: 9781593974633

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich is a former Speaker of the House, a Fox News contributor, and a New York Times bestselling author. He is the author of thirty-seven books, including the recent New York Times bestseller Trump vs. China. Listen to Newt's podcast Newt's World at www.newtsworld.com or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Reviews for Grant Comes East

[neobardling · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The only good thing Newt Gringrich has done in his public life---contributing to this alternate history account of the Gettysburg Campaign. Essentially, "Gettysburg" asks what might have happened on Day 3 (July 3, 1863) had Lee decided to take Longstreet's recommendation and disengage (not order Pickett's Charge to head straight in the center of) the Union Line.

[nodosaurus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gettysburg, by Newt Gingrich and William R. ForstchenBoth authors hold PhD.s in history, William Forstchen has authored numerous books of historical fiction and science fiction. The authors hold the position that history can best be understood by examining alternatives to what happened in history, looking at the events and the people to hypothesize what might have been. This book examines what would have happened if Robert E. Lee had taken a different tactic at Gettysburg. This book is set during the US Civil War, specifically in the last days of June and first days of July, 1863. It is about the leaders and how they interact. The leaders of both sides were well acquainted with each other, and in many cases, had served with one or more of the leaders on the other side. Even the individual solders would face friends, and sometimes relatives across the battlefield. The book is primarily told in dialog form. In this manner, we get to know the generals on a personal level. We get a feel for how they think and how they interact with each other, and with their enemies. Gettysburg goes further to give a feel for battle of the era. We see the effects of the fog of war, and the difficulty of decisions when mens lives are on the line. And we are made to feel the guilt at sending me to their deaths. The battles are described in a bit much detail for my taste. It is gruesome, and bloody, and seems futile at times. The authors describe the weapons, primarily the rifles used and cannons, and their affects on the troops, both as individuals and as formations. Gettysburg provides a few pictures throughout the book, that I felt were very well selected. These appear to be prints from daguerreotypes, mostly of men, in formation or relaxed. Some images are of the dead, on the field or lined for identification or burial. There are also a few maps. These images are not bloody, and fairly benign. Although they do not directly pertain to the story, they do seem to set the stage for the story, and I felt added a lot to the story. I do wish there were captions explaining a bit of what I was looking at.I did enjoy this book ,and feel that anyone with a casual interest in the US Civil War will enjoy it, too.

[servuslibri_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gingrich’s alternate history is one of the best of that kind. He gives an alternate ending for the course and end of the battle. But he uses that fiction to present a great deal of truth in a style that is more comfortable and readable than most histories. His characters are historic, and their personalities are brought to life. His terrain, politics, and life styles also present truths. Since it is fiction, the footnotes, self-justification, and argument about other views that clutter most history books can be omitted.My personal reaction is to thank Newt for a great story and a look into the times. He calls forth an emotional response of pride in both sides, tears at the tragedy, and some fear about the nature of man. If you like a good story or are an American History nut; this is a must read.

[goldenboat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kind of a guilty pleasure, about on the order of Cornwell's Sharpe books. I was dubious of this one, but it swept me up. Good characterization and pretty good battle scenes. The last fifty pages or so suffer for pulling out too wide and trying to afford a God's-eye view of the battle ... I liked it better when each section of the campaign was more intimately viewed through the eyes of a single viewpoint character. What I didn't expect to enjoy so much about this book was the alt-history aspect ... it really added to the experience by not knowing what was going to happen next. You have to be a Gettysburg geek to get the most out of this one, but if you've walked the battlefield and read Killer Angels a time or two, you will likely find someting to enjoy here. And I suppose I will read the next one in the series, too ...

[miked_181283 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gingrich's novel of what may have happened if the South was victorious. Historically accurate as to the places, people, and times. An interesting hypothisis that is well thought out and based on letters and documents of the era.