The Revolutionary War Memoirs Of General Henry Lee [Paperback]

Henry Lee (Author), Robert E. Lee (Editor), Charles Royster (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 1998

At age twenty-two, General Henry Lee commanded the elite Lee's Legion and earned an enviable record: capturing the fort at Paulus Hook; distinguishing himself in the battles at Haw River, Guilford Courthouse, Eutaw Springs, and others; and helping in the siege of Yorktown. But by 1809 Lee's fortunes had tragically altered: He wrote these memoirs while jailed in a debtor's prison. Originally published in 1812 in two volumes as Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States, this third 1869 edition includes Robert E. Lee's biographical essay on his father, the only substantial piece of writing by the celebrated Confederate general. From Grant and Sherman to Eisenhower and De Gaulle, classic military accounts have emerged from the carnage of nearly every war; Lee's Memoirs are unique in that they are unrivaled in the history of the American Revolution.

Product Details

• Paperback: 620 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306808412
• ISBN-13: 978-0306808418
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,009,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( L ) > Lee, Robert E.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a "must" for the student of the Revolution in the South, May 12, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Poplar Hill on the Yadkin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Revolutionary War Memoirs Of General Henry Lee (Paperback)

Lee's work is well written and, in some cases, provides the only description of the legion of battles and skirmishes that characterized the Southern Campaign. The reader needs to keep in mind that Lee wrote in the 18th century tradition of exagerating one's own triumphs and glossing over any shortcomings. Lee likewise writes in a seemingly authoritative manner about events where he wasn't present. For example his condemnation of the NC militia at the battle of Guilford CH has influenced most subsequent accounts although Lee wasn't aware that their orders allowed them to leave the field after delivering up two rounds. In contrast he fails to mention the flight of the Virginia militia in the right wing. Given these faults, Lee's work is still the best of it's kind. Any Rev War library should have a copy.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stirring, Thrilling, You Are There, August 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Revolutionary War Memoirs Of General Henry Lee (Paperback)

Anyone with a sobriquet of "Lighthorse Harry" sets up some expectations with his memoirs, but this book delivers on them. Not only does the book take you into the thick of battle in the Revolutionary War's "Southern Campaign", it also takes you to deliberations about how the Colonists reacted to British Rule and what kind of government America should have and how it should solve practical issues of the day. Henry Lee was there for all of it as one of the "Lees of Virginia". This book has a zest and pacing that gently draws the reader in for the next installment.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars hard-reading memoir, May 7, 2009

By 

R. M. Buhrman (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews
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edited by Robert E. Lee, one of Harry's sons, this is really hard to read due to the flowery language. I mean, you can read a whole page and then realize he didn't say anything of significance! But, it is insightful if you're interested in the Revolutionary War and its effect on the South. I was particularly interested in his handling of Tarleton..."the unrelenting conqueror shut his ears to the voice of supplication, as he had steeled his heart against the claims of mercy." Like elsewhere in the book, you have to read all the lengthy footnotes for explanations of exactly what transpired. Lee wrote as though every thought was going to be quoted, like the famous quote about Washington. I admit though, that I've never read another Rev. War account that matches this! I just wouldn't recommend this to the casual reader.