Jeb Stuart: The Last Cavalier [Paperback]

Burke Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2000

A full and definitive biography of the dashing and enigmatic Confederate hero of the Civil War: General J.E.B. Stuart.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

11 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

From the author of They Called Him Stonewall. Definitive biography of the dashing Confederate general is history at its best: fascinating, colorful, provocative. Includes portraits of Stuart's early life, training at West Point, the fateful decision to side with the South and action-packed battle scenes. 7 maps. 8 pages of photos. 470 pages. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: Burford Books (May 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580800750
• ISBN-13: 978-1580800754
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,709,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Colourful Biography For A Very Colourful Civil War Leader, April 18, 2000

By 

Alan Rockman (Upland, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jeb Stuart: The Last Cavalier (Hardcover)

While there have been many biographies written about the life and career of the famed Confederate General James Ewell Brown (JEB)Stuart, this one, written by noted Civil War Historian Burke Davis ranks near, if not at the top.

Davis, author of "The Civil War: Strange and Fascinating Facts" (used by this author in preparing my own book!), and of biographies of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, meticulously chronicled the Civil War career of Jeb Stuart.

The book begins with a stirring accout of John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry prior to the war, and Stuart's critical role in his eventual capture. The narrative grabs the reader's attention, and never lets go - even into the maelstrom of battle and Cavalry engagements. Stuart riding circles around McClellan during the Seven Day's Battles, his role in being Lee's eyes at Antietam and Fredericksburg, and his taking command of Stonewall Jackson's Corps when that great Confederate leader was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville.

Then it all goes downhill from there. No,not the book, which does keep the reader enthralled to the grim end, but for Stuart and the Confederate Cavalry. Mistakes are made at Brandy Station, and shortly afterwards at Gettysburg, where Stuart encounters a Union Cavalry General just as flamboyant as he - George Armstrong Custer.

Other Union Cavalrymen make their mark - Pleasanton, Buford, and finally Sheridan - as the worn and tattered Confederate Cavalry decline towards the bitter end and Stuart rides to meet Sheridan and Custer at a little hamlet called Yellow Tavern.

Davis' narrative makes the reader feel as if he or she is indeed riding with Stuart - the smell of leather, of gunpowder and the sweat of the horses. The Rebel Yell and the fast gallop.Stuart's family is also given fine coverage, his devoted wife Flora, his hapless father-in-law, General Cooke, who remained loyal to the Union, and who was soundly thrashed by his own son-in-law! and his entourage, including the amazing Heros Von Boercke and banjo man Sam "Jine The Cavalry" Sweeney. It is all there.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More about the Campaigns and Men Around JEB Stuart, February 24, 2002

By 

Jared Orth (PGH, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jeb Stuart: The Last Cavalier (Hardcover)

While Burke Davis' book about Jeb Stuart is well writen, and flows nicely, I felt shorted with the book. Davis spends much of the time talking about the staff surrounding Stuart, and the battles from a general standpoint. Insight into the personality of one of the most famous generals in US/CS history is limited to the letters he wrote to his wife, a source which allows for self service when presented independently of other opinions. There is very little to explain his eccentricity, his thoughts about battles, or the significance of his accomplishments. I enjoyed the book, but will definitely need to read other works about Stuart to get a feel for what the MAN was like.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great one by Burke Davis, March 4, 2002

By 

Floyd Eugene Canfield "Oscarkeeper" (Linden, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jeb Stuart: The Last Cavalier (Hardcover)

This is the third civil war book by Burke Davis that I have read, and it is just as good as the others. Davis gives a complete and well researched account of the life of Jeb Stuart, but his main gift is that he can really tell a story. You will be interested from the beginning to the end, and in the process, you will realize that you have learned a thing or two.