Many historians have touched on Thomas Stonewall" Jackson's relationship with African Americans in light of his Christian convictions. "Stonewall Jackson: The Black Man's Friend" explores an aspect of his life that is both intriguing and enlightening: his conversion to Christianity and how it affected his relationship with Southern Blacks. Covering the origin of Jackson's awakening to faith, the book challenges some widely held beliefs, including the assumption that this spiritual journey did not begin until his adulthood. Furthermore, Richard G. Williams Jr. examines a paradox of Jackson's life: his conversion to Christianity was encouraged by Southern slaves, many of whom he would in turn minister to one day. The book examines Jackson's documented youthful pangs of conscience regarding the illiteracy of American slaves?and how Providence ultimately came to use him to have a lasting and positive impact on Southern slaves.
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"It is inspiring . . . Jackson's faith led him to show kindness to those around him, including the slaves." -- Steven E. Woodworth, Ph.D., author - While God is Marching On: The Religious World of Civil War Soldiers
"a skillful interweaving by Williams of . . . research with. . . inspirational language . . . the reader barely notices the actual history lesson taking place." -- Human Events
"Exhaustively researched, teeming with useful nuggets, and written with an undertone of faith that Jackson himself would have admired, this study clears the air of a lot of myth-accidental and otherwise. The narrative surprises and informs, memorializes and inspires, all at the same time." -- Professor James I. Robertson, Jr., Alumni Distinguished Professor in History Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and author of "Stonewall Jackson - The Man, The Soldier, The Legend"
"a skillful interweaving by Williams of . . . research with. . . inspirational language . . . the reader barely notices the actual history lesson taking place." -- Human Events
"Exhaustively researched, teeming with useful nuggets, and written with an undertone of faith that Jackson himself would have admired, this study clears the air of a lot of myth-accidental and otherwise. The narrative surprises and informs, memorializes and inspires, all at the same time." -- Professor James I. Robertson, Jr., Alumni Distinguished Professor in History Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and author of "Stonewall Jackson - The Man, The Soldier, The Legend"
About the Author
RICHARD G. WILLIAMS JR. is a well-published author and speaker on subjects related to the Civil War. A regular contributor to the Washington Times' Civil War column, Williams also frequently contributes articles about the War Between the States to newspapers and history and homeschooling magazines. The descendant of three Confederate soldiers and a twenty-six year veteran Sunday-school teacher, he has lectured at Liberty Universtiy's annual Civil War Seminar and is the author of The Maxims of Robert E. Lee for Young Gentlemen. Williams is active in a number of historical preservationist organizations and lives in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent work on the in-depth Christian character of Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson. Mr. Williams has obviously spent countless hours gleaning the information contained in this volume. His interviews with several direct links to the Lexington Colored Sabbath School add just the right touch to tie all the information together.
I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking information on the true character of T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson.
I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking information on the true character of T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Gary Googe
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I knew a little about this side of Jackson's life, but not nearly all this author brought out. He did a fabulous job with it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Studge
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Anyone interested in understanding the Mighty Stonewall must read this book. Author Richard G. Williams Jr. hails from the Shenandoah Valley and brings the reader right into Jackson's intimate surroundings, from the time the future general was an orphan child at Jackson's Mill up through his adult years in Lexington, introducing the reader to a host of people, both black and white, young and not so young, who impacted his life, and whom he, in turn, had a profound effect upon.
There was Joe Lightburn, a boyhood friend, who shared with Jackson his love for books and impressed upon him the idea that slavery was wrong and that blacks should be taught to read and learn the Bible. There was "Uncle Robinson," a trusted black servant, who took good care of Jackson and his sister when they were youngsters, during the time their mother was ill and near death. Later, during Jackson's adult years at Lexington, there was John Lyle, the owner of a local bookstore, who loaned Jackson prayer books and guided him towards embracing Presbyterianism.
In Lexington, Jackson owned 3 slaves, which his second wife, Anna, received as a wedding present from her father. Jackson was kind and compassionate to these slaves, teaching them to read and requiring that they attend family worship services in his household. In 1855, while serving as a professor at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Jackson began teaching slaves and free blacks at a black Sunday-school class, even though such a practice was prohibited by the Virginia legislature. In doing so, he risked both criminal prosecution and public ridicule at a time when Nat Turner's revolt was still a fresh memory in the minds of Virginians.
According to Jackson's second wife, Anna, the South had resisted the North to protect its constitutional rights, and slavery was among those constitutional rights. She maintained that Jackson would never have fought for the sole object of perpetuating slavery; rather he preferred to see the slaves free. He accepted slavery, not as something that was desirable, but as something allowed by God in the Bible, and it was not his business to question or determine God's purpose. She stated that her husband treated his own slaves with the greatest kindness, and he was never more happy than when he taught black children in his Sunday-school. Author Richard G. Williams, Jr. stressed the importance of resisting the temptation to judge Jackson, a 19th century man, by 21st century standards. To do so, he felt, would be unjust and only lead to false conclusions.
I learned a lot about the Mighty Stonewall reading this fine book by Mr. Williams. I was particularly fond of Stonewall's deathbed quote, which Mr. Williams interspersed throughout the book: "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."
In addition to this book, there is a great DVD entitled, "Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story," narrated by James I. Robertson, author Richard G. Williams Jr., and various other historians. The DVD seemed to have been based on Williams' book and, like the book, was a real treat.
There was Joe Lightburn, a boyhood friend, who shared with Jackson his love for books and impressed upon him the idea that slavery was wrong and that blacks should be taught to read and learn the Bible. There was "Uncle Robinson," a trusted black servant, who took good care of Jackson and his sister when they were youngsters, during the time their mother was ill and near death. Later, during Jackson's adult years at Lexington, there was John Lyle, the owner of a local bookstore, who loaned Jackson prayer books and guided him towards embracing Presbyterianism.
In Lexington, Jackson owned 3 slaves, which his second wife, Anna, received as a wedding present from her father. Jackson was kind and compassionate to these slaves, teaching them to read and requiring that they attend family worship services in his household. In 1855, while serving as a professor at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Jackson began teaching slaves and free blacks at a black Sunday-school class, even though such a practice was prohibited by the Virginia legislature. In doing so, he risked both criminal prosecution and public ridicule at a time when Nat Turner's revolt was still a fresh memory in the minds of Virginians.
According to Jackson's second wife, Anna, the South had resisted the North to protect its constitutional rights, and slavery was among those constitutional rights. She maintained that Jackson would never have fought for the sole object of perpetuating slavery; rather he preferred to see the slaves free. He accepted slavery, not as something that was desirable, but as something allowed by God in the Bible, and it was not his business to question or determine God's purpose. She stated that her husband treated his own slaves with the greatest kindness, and he was never more happy than when he taught black children in his Sunday-school. Author Richard G. Williams, Jr. stressed the importance of resisting the temptation to judge Jackson, a 19th century man, by 21st century standards. To do so, he felt, would be unjust and only lead to false conclusions.
I learned a lot about the Mighty Stonewall reading this fine book by Mr. Williams. I was particularly fond of Stonewall's deathbed quote, which Mr. Williams interspersed throughout the book: "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."
In addition to this book, there is a great DVD entitled, "Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story," narrated by James I. Robertson, author Richard G. Williams Jr., and various other historians. The DVD seemed to have been based on Williams' book and, like the book, was a real treat.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Subject
Reads much like a college term paper. Well documented but some of the author's conclusions are suspect in my opinion. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Paul H. Dietrich
1.0 out of 5 stars
The worst book on Jackson ever concocted
Of the many works of hagiography devoted to Stonewall Jackson, this unquestionably is the most ludicrous. Read more
Published on December 17, 2008 by concerned historian
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Look at a Christian Gentleman
Stonewall Jackson is a legend as a military man, but this book explores another side of him: his dedication to helping the slaves in his hometown of Lexington, VA. Read more
Published on November 7, 2008 by Colinda
5.0 out of 5 stars
reader
This book is very informative and very accurate. It is told from the viewpoint of the Black People. I would recommend it to everyone who is interested in the truth about the... Read more
Published on March 3, 2008 by reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Illuminating
REJOICE IN THAT DAY WHEN THEY CAST OUT YOUR NAME AS EVIL
REJOICE
This book has had my name on it and I had a hard time finding it. Read more
REJOICE
This book has had my name on it and I had a hard time finding it. Read more
Published on December 17, 2007 by Scamp Lumm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Proud to be a Virginian
This is an excellent book about a side that most people do not know about Stonewall Jackson. Not only was he a great general, but he was also a great man and christian. Read more
Published on April 19, 2007 by Spencer A. Brooks
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stonewall Jackson: The Black Man's Friend
I find this book extremely interesting. The other side of General T. Jackson and the work he accomplished within the Confederacy. A must for the students of Stonewall Jackson.
Published on March 28, 2007 by H. V. Trippe
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