One of the most cited collections of letters by a Civil War soldier; A Soldier's Letters to Charming Nellie was originally published in 1908. A unit history of the 4th Texas Infantry in epistolary form; Joseph B. Polley's letters make available the correspondence of a soldier who participated in virtually all military action in the Eastern Theater. Polley was an unusually gifted writer; with a talent for satire and humor unmatched by most Civil War diarists. While the collection met with an enthusiastic audience upon its appearance; it has not been without controversy. Scholars have debated some of the letters' authenticity; many appeared in the Confederate Veteran long after the end of the war; and questions remain about whether they were all written during the Civil War or if some were composed at the turn of the century or later. In this definitive; annotated edition; Richard B. McCaslin has prepared new transcriptions of the letters and compared variant versions of them; resolving many of the historiographical puzzles that surround this wonderful collection. McCaslin also includes an analysis of when; how; and why Polley wrote the letters. The volume will aid historians interested in the activities of the Army of Northern Virginia and its commanders; and especially students of Hood's Texas Brigade.
#192885 in Books Malcolm Muggeridge 2004-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.20 x .47 x 5.08l; .41 #File Name: 1570755329172 pagesA Third Testament
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Muggeridge covers some important spiritual figures In the history of ...By DirkMuggeridge covers some important spiritual figures In the history of Christianity. However; because the book is very thin; it allows little detail of these persons. One hardly learns anything aabout their unique spirituality. Moreover; the book is more about Muggeridge's thinking than about the persons he presents. His view of the world is pessimistic. The narratives are sprinkled with social and political commentaries. For example; why must he apparently deride Eleanor Roosevelt? In the last paragraph in the chapter on Bonhoeffer; regarding the end of World War II; he states "the liberators [of Europe] ; who; as we now know; were to liberate nothing". He states that Bonhoeffer's participation in the plot to overthrow Hitler is "misguided". How can Muggeridge judge? Still; this short book is worth reading; though one must be prepared to encounter troughout the book a lot about Muggeridge's own opinions.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Magnificent bookBy VAIThis was my first work by Malcolm Muggeridge; and I'll be back for more. For a lay person; unversed in the semantics of theology and philosophy; this small book opened my eyes to both the complexity of individual faith and the strength of the fire of God's truth that has lasted age after age; unstifled by governments; philosophical trends; or the laziness of men to pursue it. Muggeridge teases out the existential soul of the men of whom he writes; depositing at the reader's feet a wealth of gospel; narrative; and journalism. I enjoyed every page and every venture into these ancient and modern-day prophets' minds and hearts. This book is simply a gem of learning! Highly recommended.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Excellent!By geekmamaJust excellent; these people come alive in these short; easy to read bios; and inspire further reading and research. I have to say; I am late in finding out about the excellence of Malcolm Muggeridge's thought and writing; but I'll be making up for that in the coming months.
