28 review for Robert E. Lee, the Man and the Soldier: A Pictorial Biography

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Bruce – Dec 18, 2019

   You will find the format of this book unusual, but worthwhile. This is a coffee table style book chock full of pictures on the life of Robert E. Lee. It's a pictorial walk through, but also enough text. As a cadet Robert E. Lee was one of the best West Point ever had. He graduated into the Corps of Engineers and distinguished himself in the Mexican War. He was also Superintendent of West Point in the early 1850s. The public first got a look at Lee when he led the army at Harper's Ferry when he led t You will find the format of this book unusual, but worthwhile. This is a coffee table style book chock full of pictures on the life of Robert E. Lee. It's a pictorial walk through, but also enough text. As a cadet Robert E. Lee was one of the best West Point ever had. He graduated into the Corps of Engineers and distinguished himself in the Mexican War. He was also Superintendent of West Point in the early 1850s. The public first got a look at Lee when he led the army at Harper's Ferry when he led troops against John Brown and captured him and retook the arsenal. Came 1861 Lee like so many had to make a choice about loyalty. He decided his first loyalty was to his native state of Virginia. During the first year of the Civil War he sustained some defeats. He did however win the confidence of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In early 1862 he was given the command of the Army of Northern Virginia. 1862-1863 was the high point of Lee's career, 2nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, these battles will be studied into the unforeseeable future. Lee made Abe Lincoln keep reaching out for more commanders. The aged and whitebearded Lee was like a grandfather figure for the Confederacy. He was a truly inspiring figure for his troops. After his defeat at Gettysburg, Lincoln went west and finally got a commander in Ulysses S. Grant who knew how to bring to bear the vast superior resources the Union had. He's come down in history as the gallant commander who with nothing left to fight with met Grant at Appomattox court house and surrendered. The northern generals as well as his own president Jefferson Davis held him in awe. After the war until his death in 1871 Lee was president of newly founded Washington&Lee University. He felt through education he could best serve the defeated South. When he died he was universally mourned in the old Confederacy and in a few places above the Mason-Dixon line. Lee was an aristocrat, a son of Lighthorse Harry Lee one of Washington's ablest generals from the Revolution. Of course he was a slaveholder. He did in fact free many of them and sent them back to Africa, specifically Liberia. He never spoke out against slavery in his life. If he had the failing to recognize the evil of slavery he was not alone in his time. His charismatic leadership for the troops he commanded and his superb tactical ability cannot be denied. Stern's illustrations and all make it come alive.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Paul Fillingim –

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Judy Johnson cisneros –

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Curt R –

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Kathy Brown –

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Parson –

7. 

   5 out of 5

   Nathan Webb –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Shelby –

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Vincent Andersen –

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Maxwell –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Skylinet –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Tom –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Glenda York –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Karen Narramore –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Rocky Farr –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Karen –

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Juan Carlos –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    BookDB –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Mohsenfahmy Moussa –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Lanora –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    Jalehn Moses –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    John Brasko –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Terry Brasko –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Steve Gretz –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Mary Ellen Woods –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Melissa –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Amanda Runquist –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Kevin –