Customer Reviews

The Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee (Civil War Library)

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Robert E. Lee never had the chance to pen his own autobiography as U.S. Grant did. He meant to, but kept holding it off until heart disease claimed his life five years after the surrender of Appomattox.

Many of those who served under him during the Civil War wrote biographies of the great Confederate General, claiming to know how he felt, and what he thought. But only two of them really came close. The ponderous but solidly written "Memoirs of Robert E. Lee" by his Aide, Colonel Long, and this volume, comprised of letters actually written by Lee, and the remembrances of those who knew him well, and none more so than the author of the book, his own son, Captain Robert E.Lee, Jr.

Captain Lee describes his childhood in the Lee household, of General Lee's love of animals, especially horses. He describes a man who smiled, was warm, as compared to the austere, solemn descriptions and illustrations of him once the Civil War commenced. He writes how Lee agonized within his own family of the decision to leave the U.S. Army, and then join the Confederacy, even though wishing for a quiet, neutral life, and of Lee's personal losses during the war - a daughter who passed on, a son wounded and captured, the son's frail wife also passing on, and the known loss of their dearly beloved home in Arlington, which was turned into the national cemetery of the same name.

Captain Lee studiously avoids the controversial sides of Lee, his stand on slavery or the rights of the South, concentrating mainly on the personality of man and how he dealt with others.
This is a volume that belongs on the shelf of any Civil War buff, especially those interested in the life of Robert E. Lee.
I recommend this book, and Burke Davis' "Gray Fox" be purchased together.

This is one of the best books about Lee! It is written from his youngest's son's point of view. It's a great book for every library.

The book was in good condition (as I ordered) and it arrived in a timely manner, the price was excellent. My expericence was good and I would recommend them to any future buyers.

This book contains the letters of Robert E Lee collected by and enhanced with remembrances of his youngest son. I found it to be a touching look at the life and moral character of a man to whom history has been unkind. Turning the pages of this book, the reader realizes that Lee's name must not be attached to the violence, hatred, and bigotry that was commonplace in the South in the period following the Cival War. One of the most interesting aspects of this book is that it devotes as much space to Lee's postbellum life as it does to his conduct throughout the war.

This was purchased for use as a gift. The recipient was a sophomore in high school and loved Civil War History.
Having good primary source reading material helped his understanding.

Have never really read much on General Lee, other than the usual history book things. But this book reveals just what a truly kind, warm, and genteel man the General really was. The book also shows the reader of a time and people that unfortunately will never be seen again. Even in regards to the Civil War era, a much better time to have lived in this wonderful country we call America. It is such a sad, sad, thing that General Lee never wrote his memiors. So much more about the era, the conflict, the people, and the Man himself, would have made the history of that time even more memorable.

Great book to read, full of information about a great general that fought with dignity, and pride for the Southern States. I quote the following:

"I can quote Lincoln upholding slavery. I can quote southerners that wanted to abolish slavery. I can prove that Lee had greater morals than Lincoln"