Customer Reviews

General James Longstreet: The Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Villified or (recently) greatly admired, James A. Longstreet sparks strong assessments among Civil War enthusiasts. Wert explains why.

This biography tells the story of the rise and military career of the general Lee referred to as "my old warhorse." A superb fighter - perhaps the most tenacious of Lee's Corps commanders, Longstreet had a preference for the defense, or at least a defensive posture awaiting an opportunity to counter-punch. His one independent fighting command, against Burnside in East Tennessee, revealed that the General was best suited to Corps command under a Lee or other officer of strategic vision.

Yet Longstreet served his cause well. Unwilling to join in the deification of Lee after the war (and even criticizing him on some matters), Longstreet also became a Republican and accepted an appointment from his old pre-war friend (now president) U.S. Grant. These moves caused a significant anti-Longstreet backlash across the South -- which taints his reputation even to this day.

I must say that Wert does a good job of exploring the controversary over his reputation and examining the highlights of his career. The information in the book is significant, if less than thorough and somewhat unevenly presented. I also found the voice of the author too present in the reading -- something in the way the book is written doesn't allow it to reach it's own voice or a consistently even flow. I would give this four stars for the subject and facts and three stars for the quality of the writing.

All in all, not bad and worthwhile if someone wants to acquaint themselves with Longstreet.

Wert's biography of Longstreet is one of the most balanced and thoroughly researched books about any Civil War general that I have ever read. Wert presents in detail the many sides of Longstreet - and those with whom Longstreet served. From the first chapter Wert shows that Longstreet was a soldier to be both praised and criticized - and Wert does not hesitate to do either........ One of the many features that I liked was Wert's willingness to present many sides of an issue. Even when Wert later offers his personal opinion, the reader is made aware of evidence that would support the opposite opinion. Most refreshing in an author of military history!........ The book is packed with information and Wert obviously conducted very exhaustive research. Not the usual dry biography, I found it hard to put down each night. My only complaint with the book was that it was not longer - I longed for more....... This is a great work and most ceratinly a MUST read.

"General James Longstreet, The Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier: A Biography" is a candid, fair and balanced portrait of a man who should, but doesn't, rank at the top of any list of the greatest American military leaders. James Longstreet's place in history has always been shrouded in controversy, much of it of his own making. In the decades since the Civil War, he has traditionally been blamed by historians for the Confederate army's loss at Gettysburg, and condemned for his service in the Grant administration as a traitor to the "Lost Cause."

Jeffry D. Wert's able pen (he writes in a very clear, concise and easily comprehensible style) and obviously meticulous research presents Lee's "old war-horse" as a general possessed with great strategic vision, an outstanding ability to lead troops in the field, and with tactically conservative, yet sound, instincts. Longstreet's personal flaws - his inability to control his emotions and support his superiors when he disagreed with them, and his vindictiveness toward his subordinates when they disagreed with him - are also fully explored. The author's admiration for his subject is evident throughout this book. The overall portrait that emerges is favorable - a general beloved by his troops and depended upon for his wise counsel and military skills by his boss, General Robert E. Lee; but also a military leader capable of serious misjudgments both on the field of battle, and in his dealings with both his superiors and subordinates.

This is one of the better biographies of one of the major figures of the Civil War, and a book I enjoyed thoroughly. I would have preferred a bit more detail on Longstreet's life after the Civil War, but that is my only (and very minor) reservation. Highly recommended for all Civil War enthusiasts!

I was fourteen years old, and we were discussing the Civil War in history class. I had an especially enthusiastic teacher and several well-informed friends, and a desire to learn about the War Between the States was fast budding within me. By the strangest stroke of luck, I found this very same book on a bookshelf at home. Was it my fathers? Was it divine intervention? I don't know the answer, but I started to read it, and I didn't put it down. Several years and countless books later, I'm considering pursuing a PhD in history (specializing in the Civil War era.) Fate?

This books is wonderful both as an account of Longstreet's life and, surprisingly, as a general introduction to the war in the East (plus a bit about Longstreet's stint in the West.) Wert provides well-detailed descriptions of the tactical elements of each battle involving Longstreet without becoming boring, even to the inexperienced reader. His views on Longstreet are intriguing and thought provoking, and a more balanced and objective account is, as far as I've read, not to be found.

I apologize if my rather sentimental past with this particular tome has skewed my analysis of it, but this book will always hold a special place in my heart.

I approached this book as a Georgian brought up on Lost Cause mythology and whose great and great-great grandfathers served under Longstreet for the entire period that Anderson's division remained in I Corps. Wert does an excellent job of showing Longstreet as a solid, reliable, and efficient wing and corps commander, something I submit distinguishes him among the CS commanders at this level. Clearly, Longstreet lacked the disposition, perhaps even the skill, to provide Jackson's or A. P. Hill's flashes of brilliance, but unlike both of them, he could be relied upon. It is not easy to like him, even with Wert's favorable treatment, but he does not deserve the fate to which the Virginia clique has cast him. A good, readable work that objectively treats a much maligned and misunderstood man.

From his assumption of command during The Seven Days, Robert E. Lee had two formidable Lieutenants: James Longstreet and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. This troika wrought more havoc on the Army of the Potomac, defeated that army so often and in such detail that the Army of Northern Virginia was thought to be invincible by everyone, North and South. The Army of Northern Virginia had made a habit of winning; the Army of the Potomac had made a habit of losing.

But Lee looses Jackson at Chancellorsville, a victim of Confederate friendly fire. It is at that moment most historians think the fortunes of the war changed. They are possibly correct. Jackson was an eclectic, prickly sort, who was totally committed to his enemy's destruction. He was an excellent tactician, drove his men to the extreme and had a habit of doing the unexpected. He was an offensive minded General, always seeking to attack. His loss was irreplaceable. So when it came time to again invade the North, the influence of Jackson within the command structure is missing.

James Longstreet has long been credited with Lee's loss at Gettysburg. After the war, as scapegoats for the South's loss were sought, Jubal Early rewrote the South's Gettysburg battle strategy, blaming Lee's loss at Gettysburg on Longstreet. Southern apologists were only too eager to adopt Longstreet as the reason the South lost the war. To be fair, no one else was offered up who made as much sense as Longstreet. Everyone agreed Lee could not be liable for his own decisions. And Jackson was dead. Today, looking back, Jackson would seem to be the most likely candidate, since he could not fight back, but after the Valley campaign, the Seven Days and his pivotal role in the Chancellorsville victory, he, like Lee, had been deified. And if someone besides Lee was to be blamed, it had to be someone of influence, someone within the inner circle. Longstreet was the only choice.

Jeffry Wert combines logic, academic gumshoeing and a new historical perspective to prove that Longstreet is innocent of the charges. This is a well written, well researched book. You may not agree with Wert but you have to be impressed with the massive amount of evidence. One Southerner was not the equal of ten Yankees.

An excellent biography, the author's effort to clear the air on James Longstreet proves to be very successful. In a clear and well written style with good insights into his main character, Jeffry Wert did great justice to a man who was totally misunderstood during much of the latter half of the 19th century and at least during the first half of 20th century. In clearing up Longstreet's name, Wert restored an element of Civil War history back on its rightful place. Wert believes that Longstreet was the finest corps commander Lee ever had (and better then any Union corps commanders). That is a bold statement which will be debated by many. The biography was geared more toward Longstreet's military career then his personal one and although the book proves to be filled with information, its all easily consumable by a causal reader. A must have book for any Civil War library.

This book is an unbiased ascertainment of the performance of General James Longstreet during the Civil War. The author provides generous detail into the events and life experiences that shaped this man. This book provides significant references to facts and historical records. Most notably, while the author states his own opinions, he also provides the reader with sufficient information upon which reasonable, independent inferences may be made. There are many, often conflicting, accounts of Longstreet's performance and behavior in various Civil War books. Often times, authors refer to substantiating documentation that merely supports their particular view of this controversial figure. The true story of James Longstreet is complicated and complex. There is a great difference between information and indoctrination, and too many authors use the latter to sway audiences to their opinion. This book is refreshing in that it provides information sufficient to allow readers to develop their own opinions. The author is also careful to highlight recognition for General Longstreet's accomplishments and talents as well as his failures and shortcomings. This is definitely one of the best, most objective, Civil War books that I have ever read.

This is a good straight forward history of General Longstreet and the to a lesser extent the Civil War. The book takes a very favorable view of Longstreet, but at times is rough on him when it is deserved. He does the same with the other Confederate Generals, including Lee and Jackson.

Wert does a fine job of describing the thinking of Longstreet and also of the other generals. He also fully discusses the strategic decisions that faced the South and the reasons that decisions were made. All, in all, it is a worthwhile read on an interesting subject.

General James Longstreet has long been one of my favorite Civil War Generals so when I came across this book I just had to have it. Mr Wert is a gifted writer and historian who leads the reader through Longstreets early childhood and education to his life at the Military Academy into his military career and his later political life. Mr Wert tells of his successes and failures, of the battles he won and the ones he lost. as well as his disagreements with other Generals and Confederate leaders. As someone else has stated you well learn nothing new here, You will find a well written biography without bias or editorial comment about one of the greatest civil was generals. I feel this is a must read for any civil war buff or any who is interested in learning more about this era of our history.