title: Dixie Betrayed: How the South Really Lost the Civil War
author:  David J. Eicher 
description: Eicher follows up his impressive Civil War military history, 2002's The Longest Night, with this dynamic, if frustrating, history that begs the question of whether the Confederacy would have remained a unified nation if the South had won. As Eicher notes, the South was undermined by its paradoxical efforts to fight a war and retain state rights. Derision began immediately, as governors from Georgia and Texas wanted to control their own militias, and politicians from Virginia resented president Jefferson Davis's plan to construct a railroad within their state. Arguments erupted over conscription acts, military assignments and the limits of presidential power. Although Davis was a victim of a subversive Congress, he brought on much of the enmity by micromanaging the war effort, appointing an inexperienced war secretary, placing friends in positions of authority and doggedly guarding his power. By the end of the war, frustration over the constant arguing manifested itself in cunning acts of betrayal: vice president Alexander Stephens and a newspaper editor bought a newspaper to use as a conduit for airing their discontent. Another nemesis was arrested while on his way to Washington on an unauthorized peace mission. If Eicher's narrative chases its tail, it's because the South's leaders quarreled repeatedly over the same issues, though Eicher keeps the repetitive story lively through his nimble storytelling.<br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
zlib_text: **“Your father believes that the only place you’ll be safe is Texas…”**
  
  “Then you should listen to my father,” Dixie said, eyes blazing with anger
  before she spun around and headed out the deck door, slamming it behind her.
  
  Chance swore as he watched her walk to the edge of the railing, her back to
  him. The light breeze stirred her hair. He could see her breath coming out in
  small white puffs. Forty-eight hours. Hadn’t Bonner told him not to let Dixie
  get to him? Just find her and take her to the plane. Period. Bonner had said
  it was a family matter. Let them work it out. It had nothing to do with him.
  Hell, what were the chances that anyone was really trying to kill her anyway…?
  
   **KEEPING CHRISTMAS**
  
   **B.J. DANIELS**
  
  ![](Images/image00118.jpeg)
  
  This one is for my Uncle Jack Johnson,  
  whom we lost this year. Jack will be greatly missed,  
  especially his big heart, his laugh and his Texas barbecue.
  
   **ABOUT THE AUTHOR**
  
  A former award-winning journalist, B.J. Daniels had thir