The Secret Trial of Robert E. Lee [Hardcover]

Thomas Fleming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2006

1865. The Civil War is over and the South lies in ruins. But for some, the former slaveholders have not been punished enough. A cabal of powerful men, led by Charles A. Dana, the Assistant Secretary of War, plot to break the spirit of the South once and for all--by convicting General Robert E. Lee of treason and hanging him like a common criminal.
To this end, they have convened a secret military tribunal in Lee's former home in Arlington, Virginia.
Jeremiah O'Brien of The New York Tribune, a long-time protege of Dana's, is the only reporter allowed to attend the trial. His exclusive reports on this momentous event, and the book he intends to write, will surely make his fortune. Yet as the trial proceeds, pitting the general against his accusers, O'Brien finds himself torn between his loyalty to Dana, his love for a beautiful Confederate spy, and his growing respect and compassion for Lee himself. The young reporter is supposed to be only an observer, but, in the end, it is O'Brien who must evaluate the evidence . . . and determine the true meaning of honor.
Written by acclaimed author and historian Thomas Fleming, The Secret Trial of Robert E. Lee brings to life a fascinating chapter in American history that might well have happened--and perhaps truly did.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Historian and bestselling author Fleming (The Officers' Wives; When This Cruel War Is Over) poses an intriguing question in his latest historical novel: what if the victorious Union had put Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on trial for treason? The American Civil War ignited passions on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, and there were those—especially among the Radical Republicans—who favored imposing a harsh peace upon the defeated South. Fleming imagines what might have happened if a cabal of Radicals led by assistant secretary of war Charles Dana had managed to arrange a secret trial of Lee—the very symbol of the South. The story is narrated by New York Tribune reporter Jeremiah O'Brien, a protégé of Dana and the only journalist allowed at the trial, who is torn between his loyalty to Dana and his love for the beautiful Sophia Carroll, a former Confederate spy and a Lee family friend. The Civil War is familiar turf for Fleming, and his characters—both historical and fictional—ring true, as does the dialogue. Fans of counterfactual history and Civil War aficionados especially will enjoy this captivating account of what would have been the trial of the century. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The alternate-history element in distinguished historical novelist Fleming's latest work is modest but crucial. Rabidly Unionist Assistant Secretary of War Charles A. Dana secretly places Robert E. Lee on trial for his life. Covering the trial, reporter Jeremiah O'Brien comes around to suspecting something fishy in the proceedings. His suspicions arise partly because of the influence of Sophie, a classically beautiful Confederate spy, and partly because of O'Brien's growing respect for Lee. Eventually, the conspiracy to circumvent the terms Grant offered Lee at Appomattox comes to naught, not without a good deal of active intervention against it by Grant himself. Fleming's characterizations of everybody, even Sophie, show skilled writing and sound historiography that are well up to the standards readers have come to expect of Fleming. Had Lee actually been executed, the war might have broken out anew. Hence, what Fleming depicts is a possible acorn from which might have grown a vast, bloody oak. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (January 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765313529
• ISBN-13: 978-0765313522
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,665,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"How do you write a book?" 24 year old Thomas Fleming asked bestselling writer Fulton Oursler in 1951. "Write four pages a day," Oursler said. "Every day except Sunday. Whether you feel like it or not. Inspiration consists of putting the seat of your pants on the chair at your desk." Fleming has followed this advice to good effect. His latest effort, "The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers," is his 50th published book. Twenty three of them have been novels. He is the only writer in the history of the Book of the Month Club to have main selections in fiction and in nonfiction. Many have won prizes. Recently he received the Burack Prize from Boston University for lifetime achievement. In nonfiction he has specialized in the American Revolution. He sees Intimate Lives as a perfect combination of his double talent as a novelist and historian. "Novelists focus on the imtimate side of life. This is the first time anyone has looked at the intimate side of the lives of these famous Americans, with an historian's eyes." Fleming was born in Jersey City, the son of a powerful local politician. He has had a lifetime interest in American politics. He also wrote a history of West Point which the New York Times called "the best...ever written." Military history is another strong interest. He lives in New York with his wife, Alice Fleming, who is a gifted writer of books for young readers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What really happened to General Robert E. Lee after the War Between the States, March 17, 2006

By 

CD Chamberlin "CD Chamberlin" (Parsonsfield, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Secret Trial of Robert E. Lee (Hardcover)

This is a very well researched novel on the 'ends' of the American War Between the States. The Radical Reublicans, and there were many, wanted the South to pay for the War: they occupied the South until 1876, when the South, under the leadership of General Wade Hampton, was able to regain control from the Republicans. While Republicans were celebrating their victory, Charles Dana was able to convince U.S Army to try General Robert E. Lee for treason, and once convicted, try the rest of the high command of the Confederacy. The characters of this 'travesty' are well developed. He is able to bring into the story a wealth of information that was sorely needed to bring realism to the trial. I was happy to see that this was not just a a fast and loose read, but a novel rich with detail on the times and men. A very good and informative read for those who enjoy Civil War novels, as well as those who enjoy courtroom novels.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A trial by fire, February 12, 2006

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C. Davis (Glendale, Az United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Secret Trial of Robert E. Lee (Hardcover)

An excellant book about America after the Civil War. The court room drama made for good reading with not too much legalize. I learned a lot in this fiction about historical figures. The author's research was evadent in the story and told with energy and passion.

5.0 out of 5 stars The U.S. after the Civil War, July 11, 2008

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Craig "TX Aggie" (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Secret Trial of Robert E. Lee (Hardcover)

Another excellent book by Fleming. This book entrenches the reader with interest about feelings between northerners and southerners after the Civil War. Lee is portrayed as a true man of honor.