Richmond is located in the heartland of Virginia on the free flowing water of the James River. The James brought much pain; for it was by this river that the slave boats arrived and unloaded their imprisoned passengers in the 1700s and early 1800s. Many s
#2456374 in Books 2014-09-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.90 x .60 x 6.90l; .0 #File Name: 078649395X284 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A most interesting man and time.By Frayda SalkinThe Father of Virginia Military Institute is an easy to read accounting of an interesting and complex man; who managed to survive one of our country's most horrific periods. Colonel J.T.L. Preston's brilliance; humanity and vulnerabilities are felt throughout the book; and it was made clear by the author how these qualities drove his life and what he managed to accomplish. This wonderful read includes much information on the Southern colonel's first and second wives; both of whom he dearly loved. His first wife a fellow Southerner and his second a Northerner living as Mrs. Preston in Virginia during the battle between the States; the battle between her two worlds. The book and the time are fascinating for anyone interested in American history; in general; and the Civil War; in particular. I enjoyed every page and was sorry when the book ended. Beautifully written and thoroughly researched; giving the reader a clear view of this 19th century man and his complicated existence as a father of a family and of an institute.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Richard CheathamExcellent1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating historyBy JBMcAfeeThis is a fascinating and extremely readable book; deeply researched but never pedantic. It presents a thorough and persuasive defense of Col. Preston’s unique role in the founding and preservation of V.M.I. and paints a vivid and often surprising picture not only of this one eccentric; determined reformer—schoolmate of Edgar Allan Poe and brother-in-law of Stonewall Jackson—and his family; but also of Virginia society before; during; and after the Civil War.
