Oftentimes first steps are small, even for the great ones among us. Beethoven’s first symphony is more an homage to Mozart and Haydn than an expression of unique style that his later works would display, most especially in his dramatic Fifth. Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer is a witty humorous novel, but is in no way comparable to the rich depth of insight and ethos found in the character and perspective of Huckleberry Finn. Sam Grant’s first victory at Belmont in 1861 was a relatively minor skirmish that showed none of his flair for decisive action that his later triumphs at Forts Henry and Donaldson would illustrate and didn’t even hint at the iron will that would eventually snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Shiloh and in the Wilderness or the operational brilliance that would be evident on the road to Vicksburg and Appomattox.
One Small Step,…
