Confederate General William "Extra Billy" Smith: From Virginia's Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat
The life of William "Extra Billy" Smith is just as interesting as many better-known Civil War personalities, but the man who served as Virginia's governor and a Confederate senator has been ignored by history. Scott Mingus, one of today's most talented authors, remedies this oversight with an engaging and often humorous biography of  one of the oldest generals in the Confederate army. This deeply-researched and well written study will elevate Smith's memory and  place in history to the prominence it deserves.- J. David Petruzzi,The Complete Gettysburg Guide"An outstanding work on one of the little known but much maligned generals in the Army of Northern Virginia. Scott Mingus's research on the Gettysburg controversy and Smith's performance is the best. He has also brought together the most information on an excellent brigade of Virginia regiments who fought from Bull Run to Appomattox."- Robert J. Driver, Jr, author of52nd Virginia Infantry"Scott Mingus has written an engaging and well researched biography of a colorful character of the Confederacy. This book is sure to be a classic."- Ted Alexander, Chief Historian, Antietam National Battlefield and the author ofThe Battle of Antietam: The Bloodiest DayThose sections that focused on "Extra Billy's" life were extremely interesting. He was a success >failure> success businessman who made a fortune, lost it, and got it back. He was a man of creativity, guts and determination, all attributes he took with him into the political arena and the battlefield. He led a very interesting life. And the author captures those details in a compelling way....  "Extra Billy" is a wild ride and fun read.              - Bayse Reedy, reviewer