""Essential reading for anyone who wishes to fully comprehend the road to Appomattox” “David Alan Johnson has once again proven that he is a master storyteller. In this book, he recounts the story of heroism, pathos, and magnanimity that was the final year of the American Civil War in the Eastern Theater, exploring the relationship between the conflict’s two central military characters, Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. The narrative is compelling and stirring . . . hard to put down.” —Michael E. Haskew, editor of WWII History magazine and author of Appomattox: The Last Days of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia “A fluent and thoughtful comparison of these two great protagonists, Grant and Lee. This is an enjoyable book that should attract a wide readership.” —Brian Holden Reid, author of Robert E. Lee: Icon for a Nation “The story of Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House has been told many times. But David Alan Johnson’s Battle of Wills places this dramatic meeting in the context of the Civil War’s last year. Johnson also demonstrates convincingly that Grant’s keen understanding of Lee’s character and habits, in contrast to Lee’s ignorance of Grant’s war aims and modus operandi, is the key to understanding the Union’s final victory. Battle of Wills is therefore essential reading for anyone who wishes to fully comprehend the road to Appomattox.” —David Contosta, author of Rebel Giants: The Revolutionary Lives of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin “Extremely readable and well researched. Johnson brings out the vastly different characters of Grant and Lee, his two protagonists, tracing their careers from their early meeting during the Mexican War in 1846 to their climactic meeting at Appomattox in 1865. Johnson brings them alive, both as generals and as people. An excellent book.” —Peter Hammond, author and British historian PRAISE FOR THE WORK OF DAVID ALAN JOHNSON: “An engaging narrative, solid research, and command of detail all do great credit to the significance of this topic. Highly recommended." —Library Journal (reviewing Decided on the Battlefield) “Historians will appreciate this excellently researched book for its level of insight, while casual readers will enjoy Johnson’s deft narrative management of battles and strategy." —Publishers Weekly (reviewing Decided on the Battlefield) “Highly recommended..." —California Bookwatch (reviewing Yanks in the RAF) “Fascinating and well-researched." —Bristol Evening Post (reviewing The Battle of Britain)