   | Robert E. Lee : the man, the soldier, the myth Author: Miller, Brandon Marie | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
Who exactly was Robert E. Lee, the famous Confederate general? Lee was a son, a soldier, a father, and a husband, but he is also a myth and icon--both hated and revered as a symbol of the segregated South.
Reviews:
Booklist (+) (06/01/19)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 06/01/2019 *Starred Review* With Robert E. Lee (and the removal of his statues) in the news, this illuminating biography of the Confederate general comes at a good time. Miller has done copious research to present a well-rounded portrait of a man who is both praised and vilified and known by most people simply for his role in the Civil War. This book shows him as so much more. The examination of Lee's early years, including the embarrassment of a scandal-plagued father, gives valuable insight into the man he later became. His urge for respectability came to fruition through a successful military career and his marriage to a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. The personal and family details throughout add depth and color, but the meat of the book, is of course, Lee's signature role in the Civil War. For many it will be eye-opening to know that Lee, a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, was conflicted about resigning his commission. In the end, he couldn't turn his back on his beloved Virginia, though much of his family remained pro-Union. Battles and strategies of the war are well documented but always with an emphasis on Lee's thoughts and feelings. His complicated relationship with slavery is also explored. Historical engravings and photographs add interest, but there is a grayness to the format that may deter some readers; however, interested teens will find this exceptionally readable. An excellent crossover for adult readers, as well. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
