5 comments about The Smoothbore Volley That Doomed the Confederacy: The Death of Stonewall Jackson and Other Chapters on the Army of Northern Virginia.

1. I am dumbfounded that anyone exists that believes these essays are well-researched and informative. The sources that Mr. Krick uses to found his impression of General Longstreet have been proven to be absolutely false and a premeditated smear campaign to ruin the man who was Second-in-Command of the Army of Northern Virginia and RANKED Gen. Jackson. Pure Lost Cause mythology. I can't imagine what would possess a man to slander a person he never met so badly. Very unprofessional and disrespectful to Robert E. Lee's memory too. Readers: do not waste your money on this. It is BADLY researched and unsubstanciated nonsense.



2. This book is hardly well researched and anyone with any common sense should be able to tell .For he uses the well used ploy of ignoring what doesn't fit his rather (warped point of view) but using what dose. (Pure propaganda, in this case of the lost cause and to use one of the scribblers own words APPOLOGIST). Just one example is on page 76/77 where he wrights, Longstreet's Demeanor on July 3 affecting the major assault on that day is another subject and BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THIS ESSAY!!, Why could that be because you would be forced to write something positive about longstreet because he was clearly correct about That stupid assault on July 3. But I find it amusing that many things that happened well before and after dose have somehow have scope, an example of one is Longstreet in the wilderness in 1864 (page 80/81). Quite simply this is just a verbal assault.
   
   A second point is that whenever he includes a positive statement made by a person that was there he is instantly a Longstreet apologist. But he willing uses many GEN McLaws statements as gospel to back up his theory without any scrutiny at all; When McLaws clearly had an agenda in anything he said about longstreet.
   
   This man is no historian and you should not waste your money on it.



3. Well, I myself couldn't quite understand what the previous reviewer was even saying, but I found this book to be rather good.
   
   Obviously, some of the more interesting essays are those about Longstreet. The one conserning Knoxville I don't think is really all that controversial, because most Longstreet apologist books cover the total bungle in a few sentences or find some amusing way of justifying the monumental failure it was. (supplies! Ha!)
   
   To get to the most controversial essay, about Getysberg. Well, I personally didn't see anything particularly glaringly wrong about it. I know enough to know that the author isn't merely making stuff up, Krick is not some amatuer historian, and most of his statements ring fairly true. I'm not really sure what the previous reviewer was trying to say about the third day, the writing was a little incomprehensible, but I have seen some recent research suggesting that Longstreet's real failure came on the evening of the second day into the third. (a not from some Lee glorifier)
   
   I can't say that I remember anyone being written off as a Longstreet apologist, but whatever fits, eh? And to point out something the previous reviewer failed to notice, Krick uses some statments from soldiers who had no real axe to grind, such as Wilcox, who critisized the general in private letters, with no hidden agenda. Krick points out he had NO hidden agenda, because he wrote very little and what Krick took were from private letters! Perhaps the most amusing statement from previous reviews is that Krick's sources have been debunked as pre-meditated smear--yeah, by Longstreet apologists no doubt, whose list of great generals begins with Longstreet. After all, there is at the very least one that is no pre-meditated smear--it was private correspondance! For pete's sake, let's be rational human beings here. And don't go jumping on me as some sort of Lost Cause Lee glorifier, because I think Longstreet was a better general than Lee--but that does not make him god almighty, the all great, all powerful military genius. He most certaily was not.
   
   And another thing to keep in mind when evaluating some of these statements. There is good reason not to take Longstreet at his word, because he simply was a notorious blame-shifter. After totally bungling the battle of Seven Pines (and I mean total), he proceeded to place the blame on others, actually emerging with a better reputation, when his actions should have gotten him removed from command. (As pointed out by Stephen W. Sears, a very level-headed historian. Perhaps some of the critisizers of Longstreet have hidden agendas--but so does the man himself. I'd say Longstreet is probably just as guilty of any pre-meditated smear as any of those evil Longstreet bashers and Lost Causers. I am not interested in either, really, but Longstreet simply does not hold up under scrutiny. And really, a cool look at the facts do not make him to be totally incompetant, but hardly what he and others claim he was. He was, really, basically mediocre, and Krick does a good job of showing why. The essay is certainly not favorable to Longstreet, but to write it off simply because of that,(and when you get down to it, there's really no other rational reason--complain all you want about smear-sources, that doesn't make it a valid complaint. Both sides here are way too polarized to really be able to say such a thing) well, it makes little sense. I guess maybe you could read it with some work polarized in the other direction. Although in reality most of them are really the poorly researched histories showing only one side. It just happens to be the other and is therefore good.
   
   Personally, I don't care about Lee's memory, because he is remember in exponentially better than he deserves, but that doesn't make Krick wrong about Longstreet.
   
   Anyway, overall the book is really quite good. And to call Krick "no historian"...just laughable!



4. Award-winning author Robert Krick has written a number of well-received books on the Civil War. Civil War enthusiasts should enjoy this collection of 10 Krick essays published by the Lousiana State University Press.
   
   By and large, the essays deal with various aspects of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. The opening essay is an exhaustive account of Stonewall Jackson's wounding and death. Wonderfully researched and well written, it's a marvelous opener to the book. Other essays deal with the ever-controversial James Longstreet, the death of General Robert Rodes, the fiery secessionist General Maxcy Gregg, Jubal Early's cavalry troubles in 1864, good & bad books on the Confederacy, locating & using Confederate army records, etc.
   
   I enjoyed Krick's book tremendously. His essays are interesting, informative, and thought-provoking. Civil War enthusiasts will want to pick up this book. It provides not only interesting reading but much food for thought not to mention heated arguments over how good or bad certain Civil War generals really were!



5. Although this book has a number of good points, like the section on Jackson, this is really just another rant about Longstreet by the king of the anti-Longstreet cabal. Robert Krick is an excellent writer, but he has over the years unjustly presented Longstreet as the "loose cannon" of the South. Krick has made a living preaching the gospel of Longstreet . . . a severely flawed man with and equaly flawed ego, and he probably thinks it's too late to back down now. In spite of the multitude of new books and new evidence establishing Longstreet as one of the best generals in the Southern states during the Civil War, Krick continues his uneven and vitrolic diatribe about one of the South's greatest generals. He's like the energizer bunny . . . he just keeps on and on . . . repeating variations of the lies established so long ago by the Lee Cult conspirators. He doesn't seem to be able to write anything without trying to put the boot to Longstreet. I guess Lee, Johnston, Grant, and a host of others got it all wrong about Longstreet being a "capital soldier". Robert Krick is one of a group of rapidly shrinking notable historians who---dispite the evidence---have blindly painted themselves into a niffty little historical "catch-22". They're d***d if they say they had it all wrong... and they'll be d***d if they don't. But, since they've made a long living bashing Longstreet, don't expect any sudden confessions. Too bad though. What a waste. He's a great writer.
   Metaphorically speaking, Krick and other historians of similiar ilk, are "cherry pickers". They use individual cases or data that seem to confirm their position, while ignoring a significant number of related cases or data that contradict that position. They belong to a class of anti-apologists or a "cabal" whose common goal is to bash Longstreet as often and as hard as they can.
   A true historian is a neutral one. He presents the facts in an unbiased manner. He doesn't deal in half-truths---statements that may be partly true or even totally true, but represent only part of the whole truth. The intent of the these "anti-apologists" is to blame, not educate. It's to entertain, not illuminate. Having said all this, I will leave you with the following quote by one of the greatest historians of all time.
   
   "It is the first and fundamental law of history
   that it should neither dare to say anything that is false,
   nor fear to say anything that is true, nor give any just
   suspicion of favor or dissatisfaction."
   
   Cicero

1 comments about Military Record of Louisiana: Including Biographical and Historical Papers Relating to the Military Organizations of the State.

1. Originally published in 1875, the Military Record of Louisiana is a collection of various written records, casualty lists and regimental muster rolls pertaining to Louisiana's participation in the American Civil War. It was compiled by Napier Bartlett, a native of Georgia who had studied in Louisiana prior to the war and entered the service of the famed Washington Artillery when the war began. The collection is, as Bartlett admits, "in no sense complete." Among the scattered and fragmentary items that one can find in the Military Record of Louisiana are, for example, the Journal of the Orleans Guard, the muster and partial casualty list for the 6th Louisiana Infantry, and The Louisiana Brigades in Virginia and Their Last Commander. By far the largest document that the book contains is Bartlett's own account of the service of the Washington Artillery. Despite the fragmentary nature of the Military Record of Louisiana it is without a doubt an important Civil War resource, and therefore a valuable addition to every Civil War buff's library.

No comments about Edmund G. Ross: A Man of Courage.

No comments about The New Woman as Librarian: The Career of Adelaide Hasse.

No comments about From That Terrible Field: The Civil War Letters of James M. Williams, 21st Alabama Infantry Volunteers.

3 comments about Patriot Sage: George Washington and the American Political Tradition.

1. This book has been informative in that I have learned a great deal about the political and militaristic problems Washington endured during America's push for independence. I have a feeling that, without Washington's sacrifice, America as we know it probably wouldn't occur. However, I also think of the famous quote attributed to Napoleon that "History is the myth men choose to believe." While Thomas Paine wrote about independence for the colonies, he also tore into the concept of slavery as immoral, so it wasn't as if no one was talking about this issue. If Washington would have "stepped up" and abolished slavery then and there, so that all men (and women) were truly created equal, as I said before, America might not be here. It was a politically divided and bankrupt country. I don't consider those reasons justification for sacrificing another person's human rights. The racial problems we face today stem from a lack of identity stolen from a stolen people

   who did much of the work to build this country in its early days and, while the opprtunity was there, given nothing in return. "Patriot Sage" is an excellent insight into many aspects of Washington's life of which I was ignorant (like his influence on the Constitutional Convention) Sadly, some of its essays are too right-wing, to the point of Clinton bashing. What modern era president could really live up to the accomplishments of the one who defined the job's parameters ? One essay focuses on the moral symbolism of Washington now devoid in today's presidents, while another openly admits he gambled and sought prostitutes. To be read overall with some perspective.




2. I feel the need to respond to the above review. It is an aburdity to fault George Washington for not abolishing slavery.
   
   At that point in human history, the institution of slavery was thousands of years old and practiced on every continent of the world and by every race including Africans, Asians, Middle Easterners and American Indians.
   
   George Washington was elected as the president of a republic. He had no authority to abolish slavery. Had he chosen to take the position of dictator, he could possibly have accomplished that end, but I sincerely doubt it. You seek to end one wrong by committing another.
   
   This kind of historical perspective does not serve to enlighten but obscure the facts.
   
   Someday self-righteous men may want to hold all Americans of our era responsible for allowing the abortion of 30+ million babies. There are times when we as individuals cannot "abolish" a great wrong until the traditions of a culture such as slavery and abortion are seen for what they are.
   
   Imagine my saying George W. Bush should write an executive order abolishing abortion.



3. This is an excellent book! It is a compilation of essays examining various facets of Washington's career and personality ranging from an evaluation of his military acumen to his self awareness in view of classical models to his role in the Constitutional convention to the use of his portrayal in our culture. Each essay is informative and well written, and they come from experts in their field. This is a helpful response to the `debunking' which has become so popular. I don't agree with all aspects of the analyses, but this volume sets Washington in his own context and understands him accordingly. This book is a good way to gain a sound perspective and renewed appreciation of this central figure in our history.

5 comments about The Best that I Can Be: An Autobiography.

1. I was expecting much more from this book



2. I grew up hearing and reading about Rafer Johnson all of my life. Track was never a sport I paid much attention to before Johnson. He made it bigger than life for me, as Tiger Woods does for golf. A few years ago I was introduced to Rafer and was stunned to find him remarkably shy and guarded, very much unlike the dynamic man I saw as an athlete. I could tell that he was warm, but very, very careful. It wasn't until I read THE BEST THAT I CAN BE that I understood the man, that I understood how much one's background can flavor an entire lifetime. This book not only gave me his remarkable story, it left me with an insight that I carry with me everyday.



3. It was nice to learn about what has happened to Rafer Johnson over the years. The Best That I Can Be was a wonderful reminder of a marvelous athlete and competitor from years past plus an added bonus of hearing Rafer's incessant optimism and enthusiam. Gold Medalists come and go but few do so with the class and human decency that Johnson has displayed over a long period of time. If ever one is looking for a role model who demonstrated overcoming adversity with a smile on his face, it was Rafer Johnson. I only wished I had read this sooner.



4. I was so glad to learn that you've finally come out with a book, Rafer! I have always been fascinated with your decathalon vs CK YANG, and wish that there could be more films and pictures (book) just on the 1960 Decathalon, alone! I remember old tv ads with you in them years past and your roles in TARZAN movies. I knew from watching you that you would always be my life's role model! The "new" generation we live in today has so much technology and modern tech toys; but something "REAL BIG" is lacking! True greatness and love of (SPORT) for the love of it, from your heart, and not big money! Men were real men then, and athletes were real athletes! I have always dreamed of meeting you in person oneday! You and Ethiopia's ABBEE BIKILA were, are and always be two of my all-time favorite role models and athletes, forever! Sure wish that more could be done and written(pictures and films) of 1960 Olympics, especially the decathalon and marathon! You're truly a "great" man, and a "fine" american athlete of our time and the 20th century! write more books soon!



5. Rafer Johnson, to me, exemplifies the perfect American athlete. Besides winning the 1960 Rome Olympics Decathlon in record points, he also won gols at the 1955 Pan American Games and took silver medal at Melbourne, AUS Olympic Decathlon! Rafer was known for promoting special olympics, and won numerous awards for sportsmanship over the years! Mr Johnson was one of those few in every million or so that truly set and still sets the standard of what being a true American, athlete and humanitarian is all about!!!!!!!!!! Rafer excelled in high school in football, averaging 17 yards a carry, batted .400 in baseball, averaged 17 points a game in basketball and averaged over 9 yards a carry in football while in high school. But Rafer's specialty was track and field. Going to UCLA, Rafer was offered a scholarship to play football but his real love was track and field. His high school coach took him to a decathlon meet near where 2 time decathlon winner Bob Mathias lived in Tulare, CA. Rafer told his coach:"gee coach, I could have beaten most of those guys there"! Rafer took on and beat such greats in the 50's as Russian decathlon whiz Vasily Kuznyetsov and fellow UCLA teammate and later his arch rival in '60 Rome Olympics CK Yang. Mr Johnson was flag bearer for USA Team in '60 games and also lit the torch at '84 Olympics in Los Angeles Games. Mr Johnson also acted and has done much in his lifetime promoting great charatible events and things for America's youth and good sportsmanship!!! Rafer Johnson is about the best example, to me, of an American, a true American and sportsman. A real leader, sportsman and humanitarian now and always!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has always and will continue to always inspire my life and millions of others the world over now and forevermore!

No comments about Abraham Lincoln the Orator: Penetrating the Lincoln Legend (Great American Orators).

3 comments about Memoirs of a Soldier, Nurse and Spy In The Union Army: A Woman's Adventures in the Union Army.

1. I have in my possesion a leather bound with goldleaf letters on the cover(somewhat faded). A first edition which I purchased in Michigan in 1969. Emmas's story is profound. It provided quite an insight into the civil war and I have no doubt as to the veracity of the story. It interests me as she is a Canadian from New Brunswick, and I believe it would make an interesting series and could well become a Candian "content" movies for Global/ CTV/ CBC.

   [...]




2. I found the first two thirds of this book exciting and very interesting, the author certainly was a brave lady who played a significant part in the Civil War (masquerading as a man). Just how significant is open to debate as some historians say her claims are embroidered.
   Anyway, I started to lose interest towards the end of the book as it got a bit weighed down with factual information such as letters from Generals etc about the Civil War, which I am inclined to think the author added to add weight to her elaborated claims about her involvement as a spy! Regardless it is an exciting read, and a good historical account of battles during the Civil War.



3. This is an original source for Civil War History, and it's been meticulously documented with endnotes that set the text in context of what else was happening at the time. Amazing job on the part of the 20th century editor, and facinating reading for the history buff or researcher alike.

2 comments about John Brown: The Legend Revisited.

1. Some theologians make the distinction between the "Christ of Faith" and the "Jesus of History." The idea is that the Christ of Faith is the Christ mediated through the depictions of him in the New Testament, depictions that represent the writers' faith reaction to the phenomenon of Christ. The Jesus of History was the actual historical person, who we can know little if anything about, buried beneath the overlay of mythologizing that resulted in the Christ of Faith
   
   Discovering the historical John Brown is certainly a more fruitful enterprise than discovering the Jesus of History, but John Brown as symbol and myth is quite fulsome. Merrill D. Peterson's John Brown: The Legend Revisited provides us with a good taste of the historical John Brown and a banquet of John Brown the symbol and myth.
   
   The sketch of the historical Brown that Peterson provides us makes it clear how Brown could occasion some significant mythologizing about him. Brown is an enigmatic person, seemingly driven by forces he himself doesn't fully comprehend. Also, his background and experiences do not seem to fully account for the extremities to which he would take his abolitionist beliefs. His inexplicability creates vacuums teasingly available for the purposes of mythologizers.
   
   It's here that Peterson work shines. He provides us with plethora of ways Brown has been depicted through time. The ways range from historical narratives to artistic and other creative representations. Not all the representations have been flattering.
   
   I wish Peterson would have provided a deeper explication of the social and political forces and agendas that formed the kinds of representations and reputations that Brown the myth has received through time. Nevertheless, Peterson's work is a must read for Brown scholarship and his approach deserves high marks for its uniqueness.



2. John Brown had been born on May 9, 1800. By the time he and his sons pulled their stunt taking over the National Armory on October 16, 1859, he was fifty (that's old for that era). He was an abolitionist and religious zealot. His misbegotten mission was to make people release their slaves and create a stronghold in the Virgina/Maryland mountains for them to live in peace. His plan to liberate them using violence cost him the lives of two of his sons, Oliver (20 yrs. old) died on Oct. 17 and Watson (24) on the 18th from their fatal injuries. Joseph Barry wrote an indepth account of the captives and how they were caught in his book printed in 1903, 'The Strange Story of Harper's Ferry.' Here they were trying to liberate the blacks and the first victim was a black train porter there on the tracks leading to the bridge, which I found ironic. I took my sons and two nephews to Harper's Ferry and it is a quaint little place, there at three states. That part of Virginia near Sandy Hook where the Appalachian Trail meanders was later made into a new state called West Virginia. The whole population of the town was involved in this botched takeover.
   
   Robert E. Lee and J. E. B. Stuart captured Brown's raiders; he was found guilty of treason against his country, conspiring with slaves to create an insurrection, and hanged on December 2, 1859. Stephen Vincent Benet wrote a long poem of the Civil War which became an American classic, first printed in 1927 and won the Pultizer Prize in 1929. In it, he wrote: "John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave." That is the legend school children learn.
   
   In September, 1862, the largest military operation against Harper's Ferry occurred prior to the Battle of Antietam when Stonewall Jackson's Confederate forces seized the town and captured the 12,500-man Union garrison, the largest surrender of troops during the Civil War. The first shot occurred at Fort Sumpter, S. C. on April 12, 1861, prior to the bloodiest battle of all at Antietam and the deadliest at Gettysburg, PA. John Penn Warren wrote about John Brown: 'The Making of a Martyr.' I'm glad this legend has now been reviewed to put the atrocity to bed for good. It as the damnest thing a demented person could do; how he ever thought he would get away with it beats me. He met his end at John Brown's Fort. It is an interesting place to visit, and gives that little state some semblance of importance.