Liddell Hartis Sherman : Propaganda as History

Although first published more than seven decades ago, Basil H. Liddell Hart's Sherman: Soldier, Realist, American remains highly regarded and influential among historians, in particular those specializing in the U.S. Civil War. This essay endeavors to demonstrate that while his status is understandable, it also is undeserved and unfortunate, because the book is seriously flawed, both factually and analytically, the consequence of Liddell Hart having written it to promote his thesis that the "indirect approach" is the secret of success in war.