Customer Reviews

Jefferson Davis

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Varina Davis--Jefferson Davis's wife--is an energetic delight, full of unedited editorial opinions about the people and events surrounding the Civil War. Jefferson Davis must have been possessed of immense patience and calm to spend a lifetime with a woman as hyper as Varina. As well as a good look at the private side of these public people, the letters in the book contain amazing historical tidbits, such as the prophetic words spoken to Davis by President Taylor on his deathbed, and Davis's true feelings on being elected president of the doomed Confederacy.

Shelby Foote once said that no one ever seriously studied Jefferson Davis without admiring him. I agree, though the popular view of Jefferson Davis is very negative. That is because he is a 19th century man judged by 21st century values, which is unfair. Like all men, he was a product of his times. He was a man with faults. Yet he was a remarkable man. It is unlikely that anyone could have done better at the task he faced in creating a nation and fighting a war for independence against tremendous odds.

Reading his private letters allows one to see into the heart of this figure of history. It is fascinating. No one should judge Davis without reading his letters.

Disregard the fact that the editor is Hudson Strode. He probably edited the letters to show Davis only at his best as best he could, but they are still original documents. Worthwhile for the insights that sneak through.