Despite the literary outpouring on the life of Robert E. Lee; the southern chieftain remains an enigma. The existing scholarship is so voluminous; complex; and contradictory that it is difficult to penetrate the inner Lee and appreciate him as a general. Peter S. Carmichael has assembled a formidable array of Civil War historians who rigorously return to Lee's own words and actions in interpreting the war in Virginia. This is the first collective volume to scrutinize specific aspects of the general's military career.Carmichael's opening contribution confronts Lee's supposed drive for a victory of annihilation and takes issue with claims that he was too aggressive. William J. Miller's novel analysis of Lee's leadership during the pivotal Seven Days battles reconstructs his strategic thinking and corrects old assumptions. Gordon C. Rhea overturns the common notion that Lee anticipated his adversaries with uncanny precision in the Overland campaign of 1864. Robert E. L. Krick takes aim at the oft-repeated criticism that Lee was not attuned to the demands of modern warfare because he failed to surround himself with enough subordinates to ensure the smooth operation of the army; in fact; Krick argues; Lee continually fine-tuned the performance of his support staff; striving to eliminate deficiencies. Finally; Max R. Williams's examination of the relationship between Lee and North Carolina governor Zebulon B. Vance; and Mark L. Bradley's portrait of Lee's relationships with Jefferson Davis and Joseph E. Johnston; offer contrasting views of the soldier as both politically assertive and reticent; respectively. Falling easily into neither the pro- nor anti-Lee camp; Audacity Personified challenges long-standing beliefs accepted since Douglas Southhall Freeman's influential biography of Lee was published seventy years ago. These diverse scholarly visions of the great Confederate general move beyond cliché; iluuminating Lee's career with fresh interpretations.
#462809 in Books Louisiana State University Press 1998-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .39 x 5.51l; .42 #File Name: 0807123285138 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It is a good read!By Bruce RI enjoyed this diary. It has some good info. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the civil war from the common soldier.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Like the authorBy Old WardenLike the author; my great-great-great grandfather was a soldier in the Fifteenth Iowa; Company G. Unfortunately; he was severely wounded in the first day of fighting at Shiloh; ending his military career. It was thrilling to read the account of the forming of the Company. I was very disappointed at the decision to use the 15th to try to stop the rout by the Confederates; as the men had just been issued their weapons and ammo the day of the battle; and never had a chance to even test fire them. Ah; but such is the wisdom of the military; even today. I am very proud of the performance of Company G; brave even in the face of overwhelming odds. A very good book.
