Customer Reviews

Standing Like a Stone Wall: The Life of General Thomas J. Jackson

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This, according to a very enjoyable biography by James Robertson, is how Union mothers in the years of the Civil War tried to convince their unruly children to behave. It is one of many fascinating stories in the incredible life and military career of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.

I have always heard Jackson described as "Lee's right hand" and "the Confederacy's greatest general". I have never studied exactly how he came to gain this reputation, nor considered how much it was deserved. While I was reading this book, I came across a military history magazine with the cover story (I think this is how they phrased it) "How Strange WAS Stonewall Jackson?" After finishing this biography, I'd have to say "pretty darn strange". He was a man of mediocre intellect but exceptional drive. He had a religious faith of childlike simplicity to which he was entirely devoted, and which left him utterly convinced that he was called to military service. He behaved with reckless courage in many battles, in part because he seems to have found it inconceivable that God would let him be injured. He fought for the South, and believed slavery was part of God's plan, but he was a devoted teacher of religion and literacy to slaves in his home church. He drove his men on such fast forced marches that they took to calling themselves "foot cavalry", yet they loved him like a father. He was a stern disciplinarian with students a Virginia Military Institute, yet a pushover with young children. The contradictions continue for most of the book.

I struggled to decide how to rate this. I think the reader most apt to enjoy this would be one with an interest in history , but enough unfamiliarity with the details of the key Civil War battles that this would not seem redundant. I think a avid fan of such histories would still get enough out of this to find it worthwhile. I think that a reader not in those two categories might be somewhat put off by Jackson's strangeness, but would still be rewarded with a fast-paced look at the details of a great American's life. I give it four stars, and I'd go to 4 and 1/2 if I could.

I was delighted with the quality of the purchase. The price was great, the condition of the book was excellent, and I got a signature of the author! Another great Amazon buy!