Decision in the West

Archival Summary & Scope

**Decision in the West** by Albert Castel offers the definitive, objective history of the Atlanta Campaign, a pivotal Civil War operation culminating in the Union capture of Atlanta and securing Northern victory. From a unique truce where Union and Confederate soldiers mingled and traded, to the complex strategies and blunders of top generals, Castel meticulously reconstructs this dramatic 1864 campaign. As the first comprehensive account published in over a century, this extensively researched work draws on new sources to provide a balanced perspective of both armies. It integrates the experiences of common soldiers with the decisions of commanders, correcting long-held myths and challenging conventional interpretations, particularly of Sherman's performance. Castel’s essential study reveals precisely how Atlanta fell and why it proved decisive for the Union.