No comments about Behind Enemy Lines: Civil War Spies, Raiders, and Guerillas.

1 comments about Blue-Eyed Child of Fortune: The Civil War Letters of Col. Robert Gould Shaw.

1. Russell Duncan has done us a favor by making available, and editing meticulously, Colonel Shaw's letters. The problem lies with his bias: it's fashionable today to read the biographies of old-time heros with suspicion, running any plaudits they may have amassed through filters of class, race, politics, gender, and so on. The result usually debunks the hero, which is fashionable, too. This "hermeneutic of suspicion" can introduce a real Rob Shaw beneath all the canonization piled onto him, but here it has blended into what's called "presentism," whereby a historian judges the subject's classism, racism, politics, gendered outlook--or whatever--according to today's baseline. I have a problem with this approach, found in the preface and several footnotes (the adjective "gentlemanlike" seems to give Duncan a special problem whenever he meets it; he needs to find out what it meant, and didn't mean, in the 1860's). Further, his analysis of why Shaw decided to leave his beloved 2nd Massachusetts seems way off-base. Duncan seeks to present to us a hapless young man who "never understood,or fully dedicated himself to" the abolition of slavery. It seems Shaw braved ridicule from his friends and death from the enemy if captured, taking on the labors of raising, training, and leading something new, a black regiment, before dying in the middle of it to ensure its work would be recognized and other black soldiers appreciated by racists North and South, all this only because his mother's apron strings still held him tight. Meanwhile we need to notice that Duncan has left out letters which don't support these appraisals, for example Shaw's letters protesting the iniquitous pay decisions coming out of Washington (cutting the 54th's pay below the standards they had signed on to receive), or the letter in which he rebuffs his mother's plans for a "show wedding." I also disagree with Duncan's analysis of the Shaw family dynamic, because he seems unaware that gender and family norms then are different from ours now. These seem like serious problems for a serious historian; most are found in the biography and some footnotes. Otherwise Duncan lets Shaw speak for himself (in the letters he offers us)and Shaw does so articulately and often eloquently when given the chance. Buy the book for the letters, thank Duncan for making them accessible, and take his commentary with a grain of salt.

1 comments about They Followed the Plume: The Story of J.E.B. Stuart and His Staff.

1. This is a very useful book for those who need this book, which isn't going to be a majority of people. I found it quite helpful.

   They Followed the Plume is primarily composed of a series of brief biographies of Stuart's aides, adjutants, scouts and other staff members, including famous individuals such as Farley the Scout, Esten Cooke, McClellan, and Pelham (who wasn't staff, but is included). Also included is information on what exact tasks these men performed, which I haven't found elsewhere and which was useful.

   Little overall synthesis, and only limited discussion of Stuart himself, is included. I did find it fascinating to see how Stuart cared for the careers of his staffers, who in most cases clearly were also friends. Many of the biographies quote letters of recommendation and show the general's efforts to help his staff, even when that meant helping them to promotion away from their duties with him.

   Quotes from some sources that are not easily available in libraries liven the book up. Many studies ignore the fascinating deeds of couriers and scouts, and this book helps to rectify that. However, its format leads to a certain amount of dryness, maybe too much for the casual reader.

3 comments about The Wit and Wisdom of Robert E. Lee.

1. It was with great disappointment that I read in 15 minutes a book whose title had promised so much. A small, thin book to begin with, "Wit and Wisdom" is heavy on white space between too few quotes. The quotes that are collected herein appear to have been collected carelessly with little concern for their merit. The truly memorable sayings contained in this book can be counted on one hand and can be had for free with a good search engine on the internet. This is one of the few books that ever saddedned this Librarian.



2. Devereaux Cannon, Son of Confederate Veterans, expert historian, and true believer in the "cause" and its great leader Robert E. Lee, has chosen a wonderful selection of quotes that reveal the multi-faceted General Lee. He has captured Lee the leader, Lee the strategist, Lee the man, Lee the parent, Lee the commander and the many other Robert Lee's that we know and recognize as the greatest loved of American military commanders. One quote truly stands out, as General Lee speaks across the generations to us today: "The consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded it...I grieve for posterity, for American principles and American liberty."

   Excellent book.




3. This great book, not only has great quotes, but gives you the primary source for each one. Some are from his letters to his daughters, Wife, or his Generals. The primary sources also include the day, month and year. ( Talk about historical accuracy!)

   Just this short book of quotes, shows Lee as an intelligent person, father, husband, Leader and Gentleman.

   Every Civil War buff, and every Southerner should have a copy.
   I keep a copy at my desk for inspiration.

No comments about John Quincy Adams and the Public Virtues of Diplomacy.

1 comments about Black Sailors: Afro-American Merchant Seamen and Whalemen Prior to the Civil War (Contributions in Afro-American and African Studies).

1. Putney has put together an impressive amount of factual data on this subject. Her research is comprehensive and well annotated. The extent of her sources provides for a compelling and credible read. A fascinating subject particularly for those pursuing African American studies. She has taken a rather obscure topic in the scholarly annals and given it well-researched attention.

1 comments about Colonels in Blue: Union Army Colonels of the Civil War: the Mid-atlantic States: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

1. An essential referance for any Civil War Library. The amount of facts and photos will not be found in any other work. Hopefully Mr. Hunt will come out with the other volumes in the series on a regular and shorter time frame. Kudos and thankyou Mr. Hunt.

1 comments about A Soldier's Story : The Double Life of a Confederate Spy (Civil War Chronicles).

1. This is a well written book - part of the Civil War Chronicles
   series. It is based on letters written by Major Isaac N Smith
   of the 22nd Virginia Infantry, who was involved in fighting the
   Union forces in Western Virginia. He makes very scathing comments on General John B Floyd and suggests that the efforts of Robert E Lee to get Floyd and General Wise to co-operate
   caused his (Lee's) hair to go grey!
   I found all this very interesting as actions in W Virginia seem
   to receive liitle mention in general histories I have read.
   The final chapter deals with his work in the Confederate Secret
   Service after he resigned from the army.
   The book has some good photos and paintings and also detailed
   maps covering the battles mentioned.

No comments about THOMAS R.R. COBB: THE MAKING OF A.

2 comments about A Melancholy Affair at the Weldon Railroad: The Vermont Brigade, June 23, 1864.

1. Well written and well researched. An excellent telling of the true story of men from Vermont, in a noble fight for their cause and ending up in a horrid place in the South trying to survive. A fine value for the money and a great effort by the author. A must have for the collection for those who have a keen interest in The Civil War.



2. David Faris Cross did an exceptional job in researching and writing this book about the fine Vermont men in blue. The book is filled with excellent information. However sections of the book get bogged down in facts and minute details. You should treat the book as a cross between a reference book and a story, and read each section accordingly.