Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Biography of a Major Civil War Figure, March 7, 2006
In my humble opinion, Emory Thomas has written what I believe to be the definitive account of one of the 3 most effective calvary generals (Sheridan and Forrest being the other 2) during the Civil War. The writing style flows smoothly throughout the text as the writer goes from one subject to another in JEB Stuart's life.
Among the areas covered include:
1. Stuart's early life and West Point days.
2. His early US Army service before the Civil War.
3. His family life.
4. His Civil War relationships with various generals (Lee, Longstreet, Jackson, etc.) and subordinates (Jones, Rosser, Munford, etc.).
5. Civil War campaigns and ultimate death from a wound suffered at Yellow Tavern, VA in May 1864.
6. His evangelical faith.
7. Stuart's personal strengths and weaknesses.
I appreciated Thomas' ability to respect his subject while also describing his personal weaknesses (extreme vanity and concern with what others thought of him, excessive self-promotion, too much of a flirt with the ladies.). Doing so helped to show Stuart as a mere human being instead of the facade he attempted to portray.
The only complaint I had was not having enough maps showing Stuart's involvement in the many campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia. The maps in the book were of good quality but there could have been a few more.
All in all, I recommend the book as the best account of JEB Stuart. Read and enjoy!
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beauty and the Civil War, September 5, 2003
Bold Dragoon is the story of the life of J.E.B. Stuart, a cavalryman and a cavalier of the old order. From his youth in southwest Virginia to his wounding at Yellow Tavern, his was a life of adventure and a search for recognition.Called Beauty at West Point, Stuart wore a great beard during the war to cover up what he thought of as a weak chin. However, there was nothing weak about his military exploits. General Lee relied on him and his intelligence throughout the war. So much so, that when he was missing at the beginning of the battle at Gettysburg, blame fell on him and his absence as part of the reason for the battle's beginning before the Army of Virginia could choose the ground. He never again disappointed Lee, whom he first met at the time of John Brown's escapade in Harper's Ferry. Proud and ostentatious, he revelled in the attentions of women and chastised his wife when she showed jealousy. He loved to dance. Could be refreshed by short naps and wake immediately -- which he was required to do on more than one occasion when caught unawares. And his death in Richmond in 1864 brought a chill to the Confederacy. General Lee said of him: "He never brought me a false piece of information." Emory Thomas brings this man to life. His research included many primary sources, the writing style is easy, and the story is broad and bold. This is a must for students of the War Between the States and U.S. military history.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well Wtitten Bio of Beauty who was Beat by the Modern Era, October 31, 2002
A delightful bio of Stuart dealing with his early years, West Point, John Brown's rebellion, his relationship with women and of course the Civil War. Stuart the virtual romantic knight who enjoyed the role and traveled like a characer from Robin Hood with a banjo playing musician and a sect of followers that almost mirrors Custer's post Civil War band and family of followers. Besides Stuart himself, he has a fascinating collection of subordinate such as the Prussian Heroes Von Brocke, Fitz Lee, Rooney Lee, Wade Hampton, Grumble Jones (not his favorite) and Thomas Rosser who was a great friend of Custer's who never got the star he sought. As his legend develops it seems that Stuart became caught up with it particularly by the time of Brandy Station where the day after an elaborate parade showing of his calavry units for Lee he is shocked by aggressive and highly succesful attacks by the transformed union calvary. This may have led to Stuart's desire for a sensational trip around he Union army talking himself out of the picture at the battle of Gettysburg. At the end, Sheridan's forces seem to exhaust Stuart's calvary due to shortages of horses and the addition of repeaters. Fascinating description of the seeming vain yet outging Stuart sparking a unique friendship with the religious and stern Jackson. In the end, it seems that Stuart, the seemingly last cavalier, is undone by the modern use of calvary signifying the change in warfare and the abrupt decline of the confederacy.
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