No single group of men at West Point--or possibly any academy--has been so indelibly written into history as the class of 1846. The names are legendary: Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, George B. McClellan, Ambrose Powell Hill, Darius Nash Couch, George Edward Pickett, Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox, and George Stoneman. The class fought in three wars, produced twenty generals, and left the nation a lasting legacy of bravery, brilliance, and bloodshed.
This fascinating, remarkably intimate chronicle traces the lives of these unforgettable men--their training, their personalities, and the events in which they made their names and met their fates. Drawing on letters, diaries, and personal accounts, John C. Waugh has written a collective biography of masterful proportions, as vivid and engrossing as fiction in its re-creation of these brilliant figures and their pivotal roles in American history.
"A splendid idea, carried through with grace, style, and insight. Altogether a wonderful read."
--STEPHEN E. AMBROSE
"A fresh and fascinating look at an extraordinary group of men who were literally in a 'class by itself.' A rich, rewarding biography, Waugh's astounding narrative brings history to life. I read it in one sitting."
--Jeff Shaara
Author of the New York Times bestseller
The Last Full Measure
"Finally and tragically, brothers became enemies in America's bloodiest conflict, a progression vividly traced in The Class of 1846. . . . [Waugh] has done his homework well, and has deftly translated his findings into a . . . compelling narrative that follows the fate of that class from plebe days to Appomattox and beyond. . . . The Class of 1846 belongs on the shelf of not only Civil War buffs but also students of all military history."
--The New York Times Book Review
