1956 Book A DIFFERENT VALOR Civil War Story of General Johnston SIGNED by Both Authors


Item Description:

Up for sale is this incredible book, "A Different Valor: The Story of General Joseph E. Johnston C.S.A."


Book Details:

     -Written by Gilbert E. Govan and James W. Livingood.

     -Autographed by both Authors for the members of The Civil War Book Club!

     -Published by The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc., in 1956.

     -Printed in the United States of America.

     -Frontispiece photograph of Confederate General Johnston adjacent to the title page. 


Condition details:

     -Dust jacket is present, though a chunk us missing (shown).

     -Book itself has only a little wear on the corners and spine. 

     -Binding is tight.

     -Inside is clean, except for dealer pencil marks inside front cover.  No other rips, stains, or tears.


A Significant, Well-Researched Biography

Wonderful Illustrations, Photos and Maps

Original, Clean, Solidly-Bound, Antique Book.

This is an excellent, out-of-print, signed, first edition biography - considered the finest on the subject. 


Measures approximately 9.25" x 6.5," with 470 numbered pages.

Photos shown are of the exact item(s) you will receive; see photos for condition details.

Check out my other Fascinating Finds!  I am happy to combine shipping when able.


This presumed first edition book constituts a full account of the Confederate commander second only to Lee, enormously respected by his opponents but heartily disliked by Jefferson Davis – a patriot at great personal cost.

For many years Joe Johnston has been given far less than his due as a Confederate hero and able, devoted leader.  He was a patriot willing to serve in spite of the handicap of a poor relationship with Jefferson Davis.  Some argue that, against the best Union commanders, Johnston's military record matches that of Lee with neither Grant nor Sherman able to pin him down even with almost double the force.  But Sherman was never so successful in concealing his intention from Johnston as Grant was from Lee in his move to Petersburg.  Johnston puzzled Sherman at Cassville, something Lee never did to Grant.  And certainly in July 1864 the Army of Tennessee was in better fighting condition that the Army of Northern Virginia.  Against the gifted Sherman, Johnston fought for 75 days over almost 100 miles of rugged terrain without one mistake of which Sherman could take advantage.

This wonderful biography was encouraged by the late Dr. Douglas Freeman as he suggested Johnston had more to do with Jackson's Valley campaign than is generally believed.  Among the many discoveries of the authors are letters to Jackson and Ewell confirmed Freeman's conjecture.  Another is that the scorched-earth policy which made Sherman hated originated in Washington.  The most important is Mrs. Johnston's revelation that she urged her husband not to join the confederacy in 1861 because Davis hated him and would ruin him.