1 comments about History of the 15th South Carolina Infantry A: 1861-1865.

1. Jim Clary's regimental history of the 15th South Carolina Infantry is by far one of the most outstanding modern unit histories in print.
   
   Jim spared no effort and expense in researching and producing a simply tremendous all-around product. As the Amazon product description states, the book is not short on covearge (600pp). But, whereas many older regimentals and some of the newer, more cursory works, focus highly on just a unit roster, Jim provides one of the finest unit combat narratives in a book of this type as well as an exhaustive roster.
   
   He misses absolutely nothing in the unit's history and writes that history with a flowing, yet detailed prose, using dozens of obscure and never-before-mined sources. Soldiers' letters, diaries, memoirs, service and unit records, newspaper articles, a plethora of rare photographs, and dozens of detailed battle maps grace these pages. It is, without doubt, one of the most prolific accumulations of unit data ever to come under one cover.
   
   But, don't let the size of the book or its great detail deter you in perusing this gem. The book is so well put together in format and narrative that it was not only an easy but highly enjoyable read. Not an easy accomplishment for a unit history.
   
   The 15th South Carolina belonged to Kershaw's famous 1st Corps brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia and, so, particpated in most of Robert E. Lee's operations. In addition, Kershaw's Brigade saw action in the Chickamauga and Eastern Tennessee Campaigns and in the war's last campaign in North Carolina. It is no boast, then, to say that the fighting Fifteenth saw almost all of the war east of the Appalachians. Very few unit histories can cover such a wide range of the war's experience.
   
   The edition I reviewed was the softcover, but I hear Jim is hoping to prepar a hardcover release as well. In whatever form you read this work, just READ it for sure; it is one Civil War book you cannot afford to pass by.
   
   Theodore C. Mahr
   
   ( author of "The Battle of Cedar Creek: Showdown in the Shenandoah: October 1-30, 1864;" former U.S. National Park Service Seasonal historian at Manassas and Fredericksburg NMP's and past book review contributor to "Blue & Gray Magazine" )

1 comments about Take Sides with the Truth: The Postwar Letters of John Singleton Mosby to Samuel F. Chapman.

1. First off I am a "Mosby Nut" so I may be a little biased, but I found the "letters" were very interesting and am glad the" Editor" saw fit to have them published. Lt. Sam Chapman showed the "human" side to Mosby. They shared a lot of "exciting exploits" during the war and shows their friendship continued the rest of their lives.They stayed in touch as each of them moved on to other "exploits". I would reccommend this book as a "must" in any "Mosby" library.

5 comments about "Wild Bill" Hickman and the Mormon Frontier.

1. Wild Bill Hickman and the Mormon Fronter is an action-packed biography of the author's grandfather that puts together the life of one of Utah's living legends. Not much has been written about Bill Hickman in book-length form. Though a direct descendant of the subject of the book, Hope Hilton remains detached and avoids the glorification syndrome so often seen with family history writing. Bill Hickman led a colorful life, a life that many would consider to be the antithesis of the ideals which are espoused by the Mormon church. Hilton maintained that Hickman "killed more men than he saved." In this biography one learns that Brigham Young may have been responsible for ordering some of the killings allegedly perpetrated by Hickman. Hilton obtained much of her information from Hickman's autobiography Brigham's Destroying Angel, which Hickman wrote following his apostasy from the Mormon church. Therefore, much of his material might be questionable, as his autobiography was written during bitter times. The author takes the reader through every major phase of Hickman's life, from the east to the west coast, and finally ending with Hickman's death, couched in relative obscurity. I would recommend this book to all those who enjoy a touch of rebellion and excitement.



2. "Wild Bill" Hickman And The Mormon Frontier is a fascinating biography of William Adams ("Wild Bill") Hickman, by his descendant, Hope A. Hilton. Wild Bill was one of the most notorious figures of the 19th century American frontier. A Mormon (who was eventually excommunicated) married ten wives under the Mormon doctrine of polygamy, and who fathered thirty-five children, served as a spy for church presidents Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and operated as a guerilla of the Utah war. All of this and much, much more, accurately depicts a colorful western figure's life is plainly presented, and makes for a fascinating look at the Old West within the context of the Mormon community in the western frontier that was to eventual form the states of Utah, Idaho, western Nevada, and northern Arizona.



3. Bill Hickman was one of the most interesting rogues in Mormonism. A self¬styled enforcer for the church, his career is deserving of a high-caliber biography. Unfortunately, "`Wild Bill' Hickman and the Mormon Frontier" is not of high caliber.
   
   Bill Hickman grew up in Missouri and in 1838 affiliated with the Mormon church, quickly becoming a member of the Danite vigilante group that terrorized dissidents. Migrating to Utah, Hickman continued his violent lifestyle, where his activities included, among others, guerilla operations in the 1857-1858 Mormon War. Hickman admitted to the murders of several people, suggesting that he had been taking orders from Brigham Young. When his activities became embarrassing to the church, Hickman engaged in a game of power politics, playing Mormon and government officials against each other. He was successful for a time, but his violence eventually made him persona non grata in both camps. In 1872 he published an expose, "Brigham's Destroying Angel," which implicated the Mormon leadership in his misdeeds. Hickman finally died in 1883 in obscurity near Lander, Wyoming.
   
   Hilton's book has several problems. As one example, there is a disturbing lack of documentation. She declares in the preface that footnotes "can be distracting," and that she "instead tried to provide enough information within the text to allow the reader to locate the appropriate reference in the bibliography" (p. xi). Unfortunately, locating sources is nearly impossible in many cases, especially in instances where it would be most useful.
   
   The author also fails to organize the work into a coherent form. For instance, in a chapter entitled "The RLDS in Utah," less than a full page is devoted to that subject, and the remainder is concerned with other Hickman activities not related to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
   
   But these are minor difficulties compared to central questions left perplexingly unexplored. Hilton's inability to deal with the difficult issue of what was fact and what was fancy in "Brigham's Destroying Angel," despite a promise to do so in the preface, was disappointing. Was it written out of spite? What basis in fact did it have? Additionally, and it is fundamental to considering the career of Hickman, what was his relationship to Brigham Young? Young was clearly aware of Hickman's lawlessness but still used him to carry out dangerous assignments, until Hickman's reputation became so colored that it significantly hurt the church. Hilton does not know or does not care about Young's role in murders and other felonies apparently committed by Hickman. Did Hickman carry out his activities at the direction of the church? The work is unclear on such crucial questions.
   
   "`Wild Bill' Hickman and the Mormon Frontier" is a mildly interesting book, but a full understanding of this man's career awaits additional work. Hickman remains a subject in need of a good critical biography.



4. I found this book to be very informative on a factual and personal level as I am one of Hickman's descendants. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the early days of Utah.



5. Interestingly enough, this book was written by a lady who found out that she was related to Mr. Hickman. This is a man who was a bodyguard for both Joseph Smith as well as Brigham Young. There is the forever question, Were there Danites?" And, if so, "What were they? And, what did they do?" This is a well thought out book. Her report is mostly documentary with personal pursuasions regarding the validity of certain things said by Mr. Hickman in his autobiography. I feel as though the author has a pretty good common sense approach in applying her rearch and explaining her reasons for accepting or rejecting certain statements make by him. I read it as a companion book to "Wild Bills'" autobiography. An excellent read for me.

1 comments about The Diaries of Dawn Powell: 1931-1965.

1. Thank you, Steerforth & Tim Page (and Gore Vidal) for making the work of Dawn Powell available. Of all her books, I like the diaries the best--so candid, such a grown-up view of the world; her comments on writing, the New York literary world, and the gritty beauty and ugliness of New York are always acute. Her grasp of the complexity of relationships is amazing-her comments about her husband Joe, her sweetheart, and her child are poignant reminders that life need not be perfect to be rich. Here is the voice of a remarkable woman, one of the most clear-eyed American writers of the twentieth-century. She captures a particular New York moment as does no other writer, and that's saying something.

   I am somehow reminded of another great writer, another unsentimental woman: Natalia Ginzburg. An Italian, her work and Powell's are very different, yet they share a rare candor and stoicism.

5 comments about Sharing Good Times.

1. Where do I begin? This is such a dreadful book, full of Jimmy's flawed recollections, rewriting of history, and outright lies. He brags about his close relationship with dictators, like the murderous Kim Il Sung, with whom he conducated negotiations on his own, while President Clinton was trying to run a foreign policy.
   
   Not being content with destroying the reputation of the US during his brief term, Jimmy then dogged Bill Clinton for eight years, travelling around the world courting the Nobel Prize comittee while certifying corrupt elections and similarly making Clinton's job in the international sphere that much more difficult. You won't find any admission of that here. (Nor will you find mention of the cryptically racist campaign he used to win one-term govenorship)
   
   More recently, he's been on the move certifying electrons in dictatorships, in one case- Ethiopea- certifying the election as fair, and leaving the country before the votes were even counted!
   
   Great men rarely write autobiographies; they leave that to historians. Books like these are written by petty men who have little to say aside from their own self-aggrandizement, and are looking to pre-empt historians looking for truth.
   
   For a better, more accurate picture of Jimmy Carter, I'd suggest "The Real Jimmy Carter: How Our Worst Ex-President Undermines American Foreign Policy, Coddles Dictators, and Created the Party of Clinton and Kerry", by Steven F. Hayward.



2. This man is a dying breed. You really just wont find too many more Americans with value as true and with priorities leaning toward all of the right places. I just took away so much from this humble little book. I did not expect it. It did not floor me by any means but just spoke gentlty of one mans life as he shares it with the people around him.
   
   At one point as he is campaining or going on a business trip or whatever he says to Rosalynn "Rosalynn I am going out of town, please pack my suitcase and I need pressed shirts blah blah blah. And she says right out of nowhere "pack it yourself". So he says that he was fuming really bad while he was packing his bag but from that day forward it was no longer his show only. They became partners in all of the decision making and even let the children in on it. You really dont see many people possessing such good manners/leadership/practicality/humilty and just real common sense intellegence in life today. And you certainly wont find anyone like that running for president. Please I hope I am proved wrong someday soon.



3. This book is not a biography per se rather a collection of the most pivotal moments in Jimmy Carter's life containing little "work" and much "play". In this collection of short stories we see Jimmy Carter the son, father, grandfather, climber, painter, and outdoorsman. The conspicuous lack of politics, apart from a brief couple of pages, establishes just how human Jimmy Carter really is. His greatest joys are his children and charitable works not the galas he has attended or the dignitaries he has met, making this a refreshing memoir.



4. From our greatest living statesman come more pearls of wisdom.
   A kind and thoughtful man, husband and father, Jimmy Carter shares insightful stories of his life with friends and family. Learn how love and trust can carry us through the tuff times and reward us in the golden years.



5. Having the highest regard and respect for former President Jimmy Carter (in fact, world leaders should emulate his wisdom, style and ideals), I say the following very delicately.
   
   Admirable in that former President Carter communicates to the world his inner and private feelings from childhood thru adulthood. The meaning of sharing with family, friends, total strangers, foreign dignitaries, etc. is the purpose of a contented existence. At first this did not come easy to President Carter, but as the years came and went it surfaced, and he was at peace with himself.
   
   So-so in that the redundant theme of the Carters gallivanting and vacationing all over the world could lead some to resentment for not being able to do the same(?). One must take into consideration though that President Carter would oftentimes combine work with pleasure (the presidency, Carter Center). So, why not take side trips while in Europe, Asia, Africa, etc.?
   Overall, a warm and compassionate read on morals, values and hope.

5 comments about Faith of Our Sons: A Father's Wartime Diary.

1. Frank Schaeffer is a fantastic author and an excellant speaker. I met Mr.Schaeffer at a convention in Indy and he's very passionate about our military! This books lets the reader feel what it's like to send a son off to war. It's a must-read for everyone today whether you have a family member serving our country or not. We all know someone serving.



2. My uncles have told me this is a good book, but i have not read it. I am reviewing it because my uncle told me it was good and true, since i have cousins who were marines, from 1985 to 1998. My uncle also served but not in the marines, and was surprised at this story of faith.



3. An amazing book. A book every liberal should read. It will clearly test every liberals theology and create ground for their head to be turned back toward what is real and those principals that really make a country & individual. Lets save our country--start the draft!



4. Reading this book pulls you into the Schaeffer home, and makes you feel like part of the family. The emotional rollercoaster experienced by Frank and Genie Schaeffer is probably typical of what all military families go through as their loved ones take on the enemy for their country. It was fortunate for the Schaeffers that their son John came home unscathed. However, Frank Schaeffer does not limit this book to the narrow scope of his own family: The book has stories about other military personnel where the ending was the most feared scenario, and Frank Schaeffer is at his most sympathetic in his writing about this. He gives voice to the families of lost loved ones. The usual wisdom of Frank Schaeffer is to be found in this book.



5. We have just had the 5th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Yet except for a handful of protesters the war is off the radar screen for most Americans and that is a shame. To the thousands of loved ones and family members of those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan what goes on there is on their minds 24/7.
   
   Frank Schaeffer tells it like it is, the gut wrenching anguish that families go through day in and day out praying that they will not receive that fearful knock on the door. He also shares the joy that comes when that family member is out of harm's way. Schaeffer shoots straight to the heart when he writes about those who so casually take for granted our way of life, libery and personal freedom, not willing to invest a damn thing to ensure that these precious gifts will be passed on to future generations.
   
   Wake up America!!!! Get off your backside and thank God for those like Frank Schaeffer's son who give up so much and who are truly giving their all so that you can sleep in on Sunday morning, secure and safe.
   
   I am taking my copy of this book to church to share with a family whose son is in Iraq and who has volunteered for a second tour. It is the least I can do. So America you don't have to agree that what our government has committed us to in Iraq is right. You should however pray everyday for those serving there and in other troubled places in the world for their safe return. You should not pass up any oppportunity to do something positive for those on the front line. The first being to read this book and open your eyes, your hearts and your minds.

5 comments about Robert F. Kennedy: A Spiritual Biography (Lives & Legacies).

1. Played out against the backdrop of the turbulent 1960's the author tackles the complex life of RFK, a man of contrasting, often contradictory personal and public policies, views and actions, and shapes his story into a brisk and fairly compelling narrative that reflects the lasting effect of Bobby Kennedy on the politics of our times. Kennedy was a puzzling politician, but Mr. Sidorenko renders a comprehensive story of his life and the role his spiritual dimension played in shaping his life, his politics and policy, and ultimately history.

   Very good reading.




2. The author poses some interesting questions: Did, as author Ronald Steel has suggested, Bobby Kennedy use the rhetoric of religion--along with civil rights and liberal causes as a ruse for personal gain?

   Was Kennedy a chameleon using change simply to feed his personal ambitions?

   Or wasn't it more to the point that growth was a constant theme in Kennedy's life--"a steady evolution and not based on epiphanic interruptions"?

   Author Konstantine Sedorenko is very convincing when he says Faith was "neither politics nor pandering" for Robert Kennedy and that his spiritual and religious training kept him from embracing only worldly ambitions.

   True, ambition brought him to the edge, but, as the author smartly shows, worldly purpose fused with religious imperatives and values in Bobby's case, and the final leap into national politics, the political and social issues of his day, and finally, the presidential pool "came from his deep moral essence."

   Is worldly purpose necessarily at odds with religious and moral values or principals and standards? Bobby Kennedy's history and story, if one stands back and attempts to view objectively--as perhaps only an outsider can--would indicate quite the opposite.

   Kennedy's legacy indeed, to quote Sedorenko, "set the stage whereby future politicians could lead with no less conviction and hope."

   Finally, one thing that definitely can be said about Robert F. Kennedy: he never pulled any punches--not with his cohorts and not with the American public. Neither does Sedorenko in this dynamic portrait of a most complex man--one who could and firmly did--take a moral stance in a time when America needed "more than the advice cold war tacticians could supply."




3. The focus of this book--RFK's spirituality as a genuine force of his character and life--is a warm-blooded debate and is a highly charged and complex idea, deserving of closer scrutiny. RFK aficionados will appreciate Sidorenko's sophisticated understanding of Kennedy's disparate impulses and his indiosynchratic basis of belief and faith, while the general reader will enjoy his uncluttered analysis. Engaging reading especially for those new to Kennedy.



4. If there's one thing that makes Robert Kennedy enduring, it is the real and symbolic gestures of genuine hope and belief in the American political system he produced in the hearts and minds of Americans.

   Mr. Sidoranko's treatment of Kennedy is stellar, fresh, and thankfully does not succumb to the heroizing syndrome that we can so easily criticize in other Kennedy accounts and authors.

   This book, refraining from distracting hyperbole, maintains a compassionate leaning-towards but fair-minded, even sometimes, somewhat dispassionate tone.

   Sidoranko's convincingly sustained argument for Robert Kennedy's spiritual/religious dynamic will make a useful contribution to further examination of an extremely important politician and historical figure of ever-increasing national interest and debate.




5. I've read many/most of the RFK bios out there, and was really excited to pick up this one. While I doubted so slim a book could contain much insight, I was hopeful as I read the book jacket & skimmed the pages that this would be a much-needed corrective to all the half-truths, negativity, and speculation that has afflicted even such promising RFK efforts as Evan Thomas's book of a couple years ago.

   I was really disappointed! First, the book is even slimmer than it looks because there are several pages of photographs in there. There are also some really glaring errors of grammar, punctuation, and even fact in this book. One that comes immediately to mind: in the bibliography, Sidorenko indicates he relied on Jeff Shesol's "Mutual Contempt," which is listed as being published in 1977. Jeff Shesol wasn't even in in high school in 1977 (his book was actually published in 1997). The writing style is clunky. Take this example from page 130: "Time sobered heads inebriated by shock. Robert Kennedy began a process that took about six days. Most meetings the president did not attend. Security required that all seem normal at the White House." Inebriated by shock? WHAT process? I thought the subject was RFK, not the president.

   Actually, I blame the editors & publisher far more than the author. This book is part of some series called "Lives & Legacies," but there's no explanation of what the series is all about, and if this is how the whole series is edited, I wouldn't buy another book in it at all. In fact, I'd avoid any books put out by this seemingly bush-league publisher.

5 comments about Until the Last Trumpet Sounds: The Life of General of the Armies John J. Pershing.

1. This is neither a history of the period nor a biography. It is a collection of quotations and anecdotes, that appear to have been taken from the personal papers of John J. Pershing, that are on file at the Library of Congress, not an unbiased source. I got as far as through the period on Pershing's frontier and Philippine service and put it down. It is a shallow treatment that reads like a history for young children. If someone is really interested in the era and the man, read Frank Vandiver's book " Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing" in two volumes, published in 1977. A book Smith cites, Donald Smythe's "Guerilla Warrior: The Early Life of John J. Pershing" (1973) is not too bad, nor is "Black Jack Pershing" by Richard O'Connor (1961). None of these are hostile treatments, and all are well written. Pershing was an able and brave Army officer, but so were many others of the era. But Pershing was the only one to go from Captain to Brigadier General despite opposition of the Army command, and this was not solely due to his ability. His smartest move was marrying the daughter of Senator Warren, one of the shrewder political operators of the time, and one who, although a Republican, had equal entree with Wilson as well as Roosevelt and Taft. Warren was Pershing's guardian angel. If you are older than 12, pass this book up and read one of the others.



2. This book is a good beginning to any study of John J. Pershing, but there isn't enough "meat on the bones". Pershing led quite a life, and really needs a thorough, well-researched bio, but this isn't it. Oh, it's quite readable, and if you don't know much about Blackjack, it will give you good, basic information, but it will leave you wanting a biography with more depth. And the writing style! The author uses sentences that are more like laundry lists...on and on and on...Somebody give this man a comma, a semi-colon, a period, and then teach him how to use them!



3. Some of the criticism of other readers is right, but this was obviously not intended to be a definitive, complete biography of this historical figure. It tells you much more than an encyclopedia article but presumably less than the two-volume biography by another author. The view is mainly of the private side of this man's life, which was necessarily dominated by its public side.



4. The facts of Pershing's life are interesting: he participated in the Indian Wars, led soldiers in the Spanish American war in Cuba alongside Teddy Roosevelt, was a central figure in the occupation of the Philippines, served as commanding officer in the manhunt for Pancho Villa, and -- of course -- was the commander in chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. Apparently, he was an extremely capable military man with an eye for detail and unparalleled military discipline. He overcame an unspeakable personal tragedy -- the death of his wife and daughters in a fire. Also impressive: from a modest Missouri upbringing, he was entirely self-made.
   
   But a great biography does more than recite facts about its subject. It brings the reader inside his mind, and gives historical context to his decisions. In this regard, this book is a failure. The reader does not come away with the impression that Pershing was a great military strategist, like Lee or MacArthur. In fact, it is hard to decipher what was Pershing's military philosophy. Neither does the reader come away with the impression that Pershing's thinking about the great events of his time had any impact on the era's political decisionmakers. There is only one exception: it is clear that Pershing saw the United States as a full partner with its European allies in World War I, rather than as a mere source of personnel to replenish the dwindling ranks of French and British infintrymen. This contribution was significant.
   
   The World War I era is one of the most fascinating and under-appreciated in recent Western history. The war itself was one of the terrible tragedies of all time, and it set the stage for the worldwide economic expansion of the twenties, depressionof the thirties, and the Second World War. It's too bad that this book sheds so little light on one of the most important figures of that era.



5. Gene Smith's "Until the Last Trumpet Calls" (1998 Paperback) tells the life story of General John J. Pershing. It is well documented with reviewing personal correspondences, eyewitness interviews, several black and white photos, and extensive (8 pages) endnotes.
   
   From his birth in 1860, through his days at West Point (class of 1886), to his various US Cavalry assignments across the American west and the early 20th century Pacific, to his leading the American Expeditionary Forces in World War 1 (WW1), till his death in 1948, John Pershing was well-respected, and often feared, icon determined to perform his duty. Pershing moved slowly through the Army ranks until he met Teddy Roosevelt. After their Spanish American War acquaintance Captain Pershing (only a Captain after 16 years!) was catapulted into a history-making career. By the end of the Great War Pershing achieved 6 stars as General of the Armies (unique to American history)!
   
   Smith tells Pershing family celebrations and tragedies, it acquaintances with future history makers, and the General's "Americans fight as Americans" philosophy during WW1. Readers learn about Pershing's mentoring George Patton, George Marshall, and many more. We hear of his close WW1 friendship with France's Marshal Petain (who became the chief voice in the Nazi-Vichy government of World War 2, to Pershing's horror). The General was firmly and verbally anti-Kaiser in 1915 and anti-Nazi in 1940.
   
   Smith closes the book with interesting chapters about "Black Jack" Pershing's (an appellation from his pre WW1 days commanding an African American Army division in Texas) son's and grandsons' careers. Each respective had his army career in World War 2, Cold War Europe, and Viet Nam (the youngest grandson was killed during the 1968 Tet Offensive). Unfortunately, General Pershing had no great-grandchildren. The book ends with a feeling of "Taps" for an influential 20th century American family.
   
   Although Smith tends towards run-on sentences and the occasional sentence fragment this 320-page book's conversational style makes it an easy read. It is recommended to all military historians, US Cavalry buffs, World War 1 students, and 20th century Americana aficionados.

5 comments about Andrew Johnson: A Biography.

1. I found this book was fair to Johnson, despite the author's reputation as friendly to the Radical Republicans. I found myself believing that the failure of the Senate to impeach Johnson was a good thing, since he obviously was not guilty of an impeachable offense--even as our current president was not. Johnson was actually an able politician and a good President, but his bias against blacks caused him to err grievously in regard to them.



2. While the "personal" Johnson is given adequate attention, this book works so well because it concentrates on the political realm, a rarity in these days of social history and psychoanalytical treatises. Of course, the impeachment trial is of primary interest, but the focus on Johnson's overwhelming ambition was appreciated as well. Despite his stubborn attitude, inflexibility, and undeniable racism, Johnson was a committed Jacksonian and sought throughout his political life to promote policies friendly to his agrarian philosophy. Because his presidency represented a key transition in American history (a definite weakening of the Executive until TR as well as a regrettable loss of Reconstruction opportunities), Johnson is, with Polk, Lincoln, and Jackson, one of the key figures of the 19th century. Overall, a solid book worthy of a wide readership.



3. Treffousse's look at the 17th President of the United States is a fair and well-balanced look at this driven politician. The reader will be left with little doubt that Johnson's racism was his biggest flaw in both his political and personal life. The impeachment is featured but does not dominate the book as it should not.



4. I read this book in my ongoing project to read a biography of each President. The best part of this book in my opinion was the length. A lot of biographers lengthen their book to a point where it becomes too detailed and hard to read. That was not the case here.
   
   Johnson was not a great president, nor was he a great person. And, other than the Civil War and Reconstruction he didn't have a key stake in American History. Why go overboard? And the author didn't.
   
   I've read many very wonderful presidential biographies. Truman was fantastic and was 900 pages because it shouldn've been. The 3-part bio on Nixon was 1800 pages and should've been because a lot went on during Nixon's life in politics.
   
   This bio, much like the Andrew Jackson bio I read, was between 300 and 400 pages.... detailed enough to tell the story but not detailed to the point where I got lost or just flat lost interest.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about Andrew Johnson but if you are looking to make a life out of studying the man it is probably not the book for you because it is not overly detailed.
   
   It was exactly what I was looking for though, well-written, well-researched and gave me a good overview of a President that I have always wanted to know more about. He definitely was not of high moral character and definitely played to his southern base with his actions surrounding reconstruction. That said, I did find it interesting that he was demonized at times by both his colleagues and the press.
   
   Sounds like aside from his thinking in regards to blacks and slavery he was a good and honest man that tried to do what was right most of the time. That was something the author did a very good job detailing and I appreciated it.



5. I am currently reading a biography of every President in order. Hans Trefousse' biography of Andrew Johnson certainly seemed to be the best choice for a comprehensive biography of our 17th President.
   
   From an academic standpoint, it is hard to criticize Trefousse's work. He has obviously done the necessary research and is thoroughly well versed in the history of the times. Indeed, this biography is complete and in depth enough and should meet most everyone's expectations. Trefousse clearly understands Johnson and his proper relationship to American history. The only reason I was unable to give this biography a full five stars is the writing is a bit uninspired and doesn't achieve a level of excellence that merits special recognition. The book is more than satisfactory in completing its task but ultimately is only going to appeal to those already interested in the subject matter.
   
   After reading this biography I am still of the opinion that it is likely the best one available for Andrew Johnson. Indeed, it certainly exceeds expectations for a comprehensive biography of a relatively unknown President.

5 comments about Stonewall Jackson: The Good Soldier (Southern Classics Series).

1. Allen Tate wrote "Stonewall Jackson" in 1927 with the intent of restoring some historical reality to the fading memory of the War for Southern Independence. He accomplished his goal, but the book seems better in retrospect as a whole than it did while reading it page by page. Tate used what to me was an odd, choppy style of writing that slightly complicated the story he was telling. He clearly admired Jackson, and after reading his book my admiration and knowldge of Jackson have improved. Stonewall Jackson is one of America's great heroes for good reason. Even members of the Union Army cheered him when the opportunity presented itself near Fredericksburg. As Tate points out, Jackson was a man of principle on and off the battlefield. From his impoverished childhood to his ever-improving performance at West Point there was no way to foretell the height of fame Jackson would gain in the War for Southern Independence. His performance in the War with Mexico was limited to garrison duty for the most part. When in battle he distinguished himself, but other officers had shown more brightly for a longer period of time in more battles. Tate reveals the eccentricities of Jackson in subtle ways that leave you wondering what was going on in Jackson's head. He clearly baffled the forces sent against him in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, but many of his own soldiers were equally baffled. It took some time for his subordinates to develop a deep and abiding respect for General Jackson, but after he lead them to numerous victories against superior forces the bond was established that lasted until his untimely death. One of the great contradictions in Jackson's life was his steadfast Christian beliefs contrasted with his unrelenting will to destroy the enemy on the battlefield. For example, Tate mentions an exchange between Jackson and his chief surgeon when the surgeon inquired, "How shall we ever cope with the overwhelming numbers of the enemy?" After a long pause Jackson replied, "Kill them, sir! Kill every man." It was that strength of will that helped make Jackson the hero that he was and is. His loss at Chancellorsville to "friendly fire" was one more nail in the coffin of the Confederacy. It is, perhaps, inevitable that one should speculate about events at Gettysburg had General Lee had his "right arm" leading a Corps. This book gives the most plausible answer to what Jackson meant at the moment of his death when he said, "Let's cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees." Curiously, the answer is at the start of the book, not the end. Allen Tate wrote a good book about a great man that is well worth reading.



2. In reeading the book Stonewall Jackson, by Allen Tate, I have furthered my belief that this was a man of piety, heroism, chivallry, and a true champion of American values. That is to say, General Jackson was a fighter for freedom and the homeland a value which is highly regarded in today's day and age. Tate expressed this idea even when he wrote it 76 years ago. Therefore, I strongly reccomend this book to all who value the American ideal: the fight for freedom.



3. In reading the book Stonewall Jackson, by Allen Tate, I have furthered my belief that this was a man of piety, heroism, chivallry, and a true champion of American values. That is to say, General Jackson was a fighter for freedom and the homeland: something which is highly regarded in today's day and age. Tate expressed this idea even when he wrote it 76 years ago. Therefore, I strongly reccomend this book to all who value the American ideal: the fight for freedom.



4. By reading the book: Stonewall Jackson, by Allen Tate, I have furthered my belief that this was a man of great piety, heroism, chivallry, and freedom. He fought for all these things in his time, yet in our time freedom and the fight to preserve it and the Homeland seem to be of the most importance. The fight for freedom has always been an American ideal, and Tate did an excellent job in depicting how one man committed his whole life to it during the War of Northern Aggression. I stongly reccomend this book to all who desire to reap the truth, and who hold dear the Homeland.



5. I agree with Landess in the preface. This book is poorly researched. It doesn't show us the depth or breath of the man. It would not even be poor historial fiction and is horrid as a biography. It's one strong point is Tate's abilitity to show the Southern feeling on their state rights being violated; along with the comparison of Indian rights being viloent by the North.