"Making Sense of Robert E. Lee" Topic

"Few figures in American history are more divisive, contradictory or elusive than Robert E. Lee, the reluctant, tragic leader of the Confederate Army, who died in his beloved Virginia at age 63 in 1870, five years after the end of the Civil War. In a new biography, Robert E. Lee, Roy Blount, Jr., treats Lee as a man of competing impulses, a "paragon of manliness" and "one of the greatest military commanders in history," who was nonetheless "not good at telling men what to do."

Blount, a noted humorist, journalist, playwright and raconteur, is the author or coauthor of 15 previous books and the editor of Roy Blount's Book of Southern Humor. A resident of New York City and western Massachusetts, he traces his interest in Lee to his boyhood in Georgia. Though Blount was never a Civil War buff, he says "every Southerner has to make his peace with that War. I plunged back into it for this book, and am relieved to have emerged alive."

"Also," he says, "Lee reminds me in some ways of my father."…."
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Amicalement
Armand

It may well be a great book. However, I often find that writers who do a "one off" book lack the depth and breath of knowledge on the subject to do it justice or to even avoid significant factual errors.

Tom

He seems to have traveled far from his Southern roots.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

I would suggest that it is difficult to understand a man of Lee's era without having an appreciation for the great loyalty many felt for their individual states – something that has been greatly dimmed by the passage of time and the centralization of governmental power in the hands of the federal government and "Paris on the Potomac".

Strictly my opinion, of course.

B

Spent some time in the South. My take. They're still fighting the war. They view their heroes, especially Lee and Jackson with almost religious respect. They still aren't fond of Yankees. Understatement. When I was there during the 70's Arab Oil embargo and speed limits had been reduced to conserve gas a popular bumper sticker was Drive 70 Freeze a Yankee Today.

My name is really Lee. First name not surname and my take on Lee was that he was so effective because his subordinates were so capable. When he took direct command he was less successful. As at Gettysburg. Consider if Jackson had been present (perhaps another thread). Therefore I hold Lee to be a consummate strategist, and an elegant gentleman, but only a good tactician. In many ways I feel Grant was better. Ok I'll duck now lol. Cheers! Lee