2 comments about Lee the American.

1. Robert E. Lee remains one of the most well-studied men in the history of the world. This fine book was first published in 1912; it has, of course, been superseded by "R.E. Lee", Douglas Southall Freeman's definitive four volume work. Even when written, it was far from the first study of General Lee. But, this was the first biography by a Yankee, a highly distinguished author from Massachusetts. Dr. Bradford's people had fought against General Lee...removed from the veneration shown by some of our Southern authors, including Dr. Freeman, the respect of the author for his subject is all the more impressive.
   
   The work is divided into sections, chronological, and by subject. Lee's early years, and service in Mexico, are well covered. The agony that General Lee faced when following Virginia out of the Union is poignant. Dr. Bradford earned my respect by stating that he hoped he would have the courage to follow Massachusetts if ever faced with the choice. Various aspects of Lee's relationships during the war are covered by section...his dealings with Jeff Davis, the civil government, the Army, his family, Stonewall Jackson. There is a superb chapter on just how the General approached a battle, though this is not a comprehensive military history. See "Lee's Lieutenants".
   
   General Lee was a difficult man to know, which Dr. Bradford points out quite well. He suffered a miserable marriage, which the author is decent enough to keep quiet. A whole chapter is given to Lee's profound Christian faith, the real secret of how he kept going. His years at Washington College [now Washington and Lee] are impressively studied; he wanted to help young men be good citizens of one nation.
   
   This is an excellent, though short, work. It should not be anybody's first, or only, study of General Lee; Dr. Freeman took care of that. It may be tough to find [I got mine in the NPS bookstore at Appomattox]. Still, if you want a well written, respectful, and fairly complete, study of the greatest soldier who ever lived, it will well repay your time.



2. This book differs from the many, many biographies of Lee in that it focuses on his psyche rather than his experiences. The author attemps to analyze the character himself in his various roles as soldier, leader, husband, father, private citizen, university president, etc. The writing style did not please me as much as the content. It was interesting to see the different facets of the man presented separately and with supporting documentation from Lee's own recorded words and the anecdotes of others. For those who cannot get enough of Robert E. Lee, this a good addition to the bookshelf.

No comments about Heroes of American History.

1 comments about Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison.

1. I thought that this book was wonderful, it's content was direct and to the point while still telling a wonderful story of this woman's struggles of keeping secrect among the Union soldiers. I love this story and I would recomend it to anyone that has an inerest in the Civil War.

No comments about Nathan Hale the Ideal Patriot.

No comments about Lincoln, El Desconocido/ Lincoln the Unknown (Biografias Y Testimonios).

No comments about Lincoln of Kentucky.

5 comments about J.F.K. Jr..

1. I enjoyed the layout of the book. Almost like a compilation of quick factoids. Please don't misconstrue this statement as it being boring and/or technical. It is simply laid out in a way that makes the reading easier. As a fan of biographies, I have mulled over many that linger on and on with out substance. This book is just the opposite. It has plenty of substance and is presented in a way you can read the facts, enjoy them and also recall what you have read. A good job by Mr. Signesi.

   I really admired John Junior for his way of handling his place in American culture. This book is a great insight into the man. I don't agree with the comments that it sets him on a pedestal as a god-like figure, quite the opposite for me. I think it painted him in a very humanistic way. Well worth the price and certainly if you were endeared to John F. Kennedy Jr. Again, good job Mr. Signesi.




2. So much information has been released on John Jr. but really only focussed on his "celebrity" side. This book though it touched on the celebrity, really displayed the "regular" side of John. It was well put together, easy to read, and was a fast read. It was such a loss for our nation but it will be nice to have this book as a keepsake for rememberances.



3. After much waiting I finally received my copy of this wonderful book. I must admit, it is better than I had expected. I primarily bought this book to keep as a memento of the late JFK Jr. but I was pleasantly surprised by how interesting the book is. It covers JFK Jr's life from a totally different angle-one that is refreshing & different from all the other books and tribute magazines out there. I also liked how it contained not the standard photographs that every other book or magazine has published in the last few weeks. This book reads like a yearbook. It personalizes John unlike any other publication and captures your interest from page one. It is the ultimate memento of a much missed and much loved person.



4. the best book written about the late,great,john kennedy,jr.we will never know now what might have been,but this book stands as a fine record of what was.



5. Tragedy aside, this book is sheer puffery. This turns the subject into a god-like idol and provides no objectivity about the trials and tribulations of being the son of two very public figures.

No comments about Civil War Eyewitnesses: An Annotated Bibliography of Books and Articles, 1986-1996.

No comments about The Selected Letters of Henry James.

No comments about Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: The FBI Files.