From Manassas to Appomattox: General James Longstreet [Paperback]

General James Longstreet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 1992

General James Longstreet is one of the most controversial figures of the American Civil War. According to some, he was partially to blame for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg; according to others, if Lee had followed Longstreet’s advice, they would have won that battle. He has been called stubborn and vain; and he has been lauded as one of the greatest tacticians of the Civil War. All agree, however, that Longstreet was not only a dependable fighter but completely devoted to Robert E. Lee, who relied on him the most out of all his officers. He acquitted himself bravely in many of the war’s bloodiest battles, including those at Antietam, Chickamauga, and the Wilderness. And his staunchest defenders were always the men who served under him. Longstreet’s memoirs reflect the combative style of the old soldier. Their tremendous historical interest lies not only in his personal account of the progress of the Civil War, and in the many fascinating anecdotes about Lee and his officers, but in the insight they afford into the mind and character of one of the bravest and most loyal of southern generals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 800 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 22, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306804646
• ISBN-13: 978-0306804649
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #392,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars James Longstreet At Last!, October 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: From Manassas to Appomattox: General James Longstreet (Paperback)

Before reading his book I knew a lot about Longstreet, but he remained a rather amorphous figure. Now I feel I know the man somewhat better. It should be understood that Longstreet wrote these memoirs in defense of his reputation, which was under attack by Jubal Early, FitzHugh Lee, and others in an attempt to shift blame from the deceased Robert E. Lee. As a result Longstreet is argumentative and abrupt in his rebuttals. (And the way he writes, one gets the feeling that he ALWAYS was that way!) Longstreet gives a lot of details about battle strategy and various campaigns; and he is not shy about revealing his ideas about what was done well and what was done poorly - even when it involves Gen. Lee or himself. He is brutally honest, regardless of whom it offends. But he also spread numerous anecdotes throughout the book, giving it a more human feel. After many years of study I developed the opinion that Longstreet was one of the most pragmatic generals of the Civil War. This book confirms that opinion. Longstreet, somewhat like Grant, seemed to always think along the lines of "what is the best way to get it done", blocking out all else. His criticism of others is usually based upon their inability to think and act in a similar manner. I finished the book realizing that Longstreet was a fascinating person and the ultimate soldier...someone I would have liked to have met. This is NOT a book for beginners: unless you know of various campaigns and battles in some detail, you will probably feel bored and lost at various times. But for readers with some Civil War knowledge, this will prove to be a most enjoyable read!

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the horse's mouth., November 15, 2001

By 

Dennis Phillips "The Book Friar" (Bulls Gap, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Manassas to Appomattox: General James Longstreet (Paperback)

General Lee often called James Longstreet his Old War Horse so the reader can get the story straight from the hoses's mouth. Before reading this I had assumed that Jubal Early and others who attacked Longstreet after the war decided he would be a good scapegoat for their and Lee's failures due to his not being from Virginia and because he became a Republican after the war. After reading Old Pete's book it became obvious that personality conflicts may have been involved also. Longstreet called things like he saw them in his book and probably in person. It is easy to see how Early, Ewell, and others may have been offended by Longstreet during the war.

For the student of the Civil War there could be no better overview from someone who was there. With Longstreet's service in all of the major Virginia campaigns and his service at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Knoxville in the west the reader can glimpse both major Confederate armies and gain a deep insight into Lee's army.

The writing is a little dry at times but is as clear and well writen as can be expected. After all Longstreet was a general not a scholar. This book is a must in any complete Civil War library.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but can be dry, December 30, 1999

By 

Tom Robinson - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Manassas to Appomattox: General James Longstreet (Paperback)

Longstreet's memoirs are very good. They are well written, informative, and candid. When Longstreet disagreed with someone, he states it. If he disagreed with a strategy, such as at Gettysburg, he states it and gives his view of what should have happened. Although this looks like a case of Longstreet trying to say his way would have won, I personally believe he was simply being honest. While Longstreets memoirs can be dry when he talks of strategies and tactics, it is still a informative, entertaining book. I would rank Longstreet's memoirs only behind Grant's, Sherman's, E.P. Alexander's, and Richard Taylor's underrated Destruction and Reconstruction.