Customer Reviews

Stonewall Jackson : The Man, the Soldier, the Legend

5 star:		(86)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is perhaps the finest work I have ever read on a single individual. The book itself is remarkable both for the amount of detail and for the care with which it is documented. Robertson debunks many previous Jackson myths, and seems to be able to explore the mind of the man with comfortable ease. You get the sense that he actually was aquainted with the great man. The story of Jackson is quite thorough, presenting not only Jackson the Confederate general, but also Jackson the schoolboy, the teacher, and the devout Presbyterian. Even without the Civil War sections, this book would still be fascinating reading, especially the years in which he taught at VMI. The Civil War years are chronicled well, but be warned, this is a book about Jackson, and covers only those engagements in which he had direct influence. This is not as distracting as it sounds, and in fact is somewhat practical, as it presents the battle from Jackson's front. The book is rather lengthy, but not monotonous, and it reads very well. The end is especially heartbreaking and emotional, and summarizes well the life of a remarkable man and his tragic death

James Robertson has produced the definitive look at Jackson, and unearthed some new material in the process. I was especially pleased that he focused on Jackson's private life, and he writes with particular finesse about Jackson's first marriage and the effect her early death had upon Stonewall's psyche. Equally interesting are the unintentionally hilarious stories of Jackson as a teacher at VMI and what a truly horrific instructor he was: boring, pedantic and one who droned on insufferably during lectures.

Robertson's thorough grasp of Jackson's military role in the civil war is exhaustively examined. The only criticism is that the book verges on hagiography, and little questionable or negative material appears in the book. Jackson's generalship should have been more critically examined, instead of making excuses for his mistakes in judgment and execution. Jackson's sometime troubled relationships with subordinates is also glossed over, or the advantage invariably given to Stonewall. Still, this biography is so readable and well-written that its faults are easily overlooked.

One of the few accurate reads about this great American hero. "Old Jack," an orphan, grew up in Jackson Mills, the home and business of his uncle. What many would have used as an excuse for failure (orphaned, poor, very little standardized education, no gov't breast to succour, etc.), motivated "Old Jack" to make something of himself. Jackson worked hard to get an appointment to West Point, one of the greatest Engineering schools of its time. While at West Point, Jackson had to work twice as hard as his classmates often staying up into the early morning hours memorizing his previous day's lesson. Though he often struggled, his hard work and determination paid off. Jackson had great discipline. Recognized in the Mexican War for always following orders and never losing his cool. Although, he is often criticized for his ability to teach at VMI, a few things have to be mentioned. I have never known anyone personally nor heard of anyone who ever said they had it easy learning Physics. I am sure most student generated complaints concerning Jackson's teaching methods, etc. were mostly because: one, it was a hard class, and two, it required one's undivided attention. Secondly, if the faculty had concerns, they (their concerns) never amounted to much. The Civil War is often said where Jackson blossomed. I disagree. Jackson's greatness originated from inside. Nearly always, men are great because they are great men no matter what the outside circumstances and I believe this is the case with "Old Jack." The Civil War simply provided the theatre for Jackson to display his greatness. Jackson is one of the World's greatest military strategists. He is still studied across the world today. His movements were done with speed and stealth often moving nearly half of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Thomas J. Jackson is great example for all. Although, it has many pages it flows very well.

This is a wonderful biography of "Mighty Stonewall". General Jackson was an admirable man for his discipline and hard work and a person can certainly learn a good deal from his example, but I would not want to spend much time with him. He could be very harsh. He was kind and caring with his family and a true 110% soldier. A person wonders just what his life would have been like had he survived the war.

Many argue that Thomas Jonathan Jackson ranks as one the best soldiers in America. Certainly Jackson was one of the most dynamic, intelligent, and interesting officers of the Civil War. Known for discipline, poise, and religious faith, Jackson showcased remarkable traits that few officers possessed. With Jackson, men followed. He remains as one of the most well-known military figures this country has ever produced.

What makes Robertson's study of Jackson unique and credible to other biographies is its attention to detail and Jackson's life before the Civil War. Too often, Civil War biographies focus too much on the subject's military career rather than the social and personal apsects which shaped the subject's character. In the case of Jackson, Robertson illustrates that his past shaped the man we now know on the battlefield. Robertson's insight teaches us that his upbringing in West Virginia and his education at West Point forced Jackson to discipline himself in order to be the best.

Finally, Robertson's biography will not be the last on Jackson. But it certainly may be the best tribute to one of America's best soldiers.

James Robertson has written an extensively researched life of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, acknowledged as one of the finest military tacticians of the Civil War on either side. He covers Jackson's ancestry, childhood, West Point career, early military service during the Mexican War and afterwards, his tenure at the Virginia Military Institute, his family life, and his Civil War service in the Shenandoah Valley, the Seven Day's Campaign, and in Northern Virginia/Antietam. He includes a short epilogue which discusses the conclusion of the War after Jackson's death at Chancellorsville, his legacy, and the subsequent lives of his family and fellow Confederates after the surrender at Appomattox.

Throughout the book, Robertson devotes much attention to Jackson's strong Christian faith both in his beliefs and in his actions. Some other reviewers have found fault with this emphasis but given the predominance of his faith in his daily life, Jackson's religious beliefs could no more be ignored than could an author ignore anti-semitism in a life of Hitler. Jackson's faith was not an ASPECT of his life, in many ways it WAS his life and everything else he did was incidental to his faith.

Contrary to some others, I don't think Robertson has glorified Jackson at all. Although a pious man and a military genius, all of Jackson's many shortcomings as a man and as a commander are brought out in the book. Jackson was a hypochondriac, a contentious subordinate, an incredibly boring and ineffective teacher and a man who saw everything in stark black and white. As a commander, he was hard on his men, compulsively secretive about his plans and movements even with those subordinates who needed to know and a harsh and unsympathetic taskmaster who constantly quarreled with and berated his staff. On at least one occasion, he had EVERY ONE of his major subordinates under arrest for one or another offense in his command. Although harsh with his underlings, he was popular among his men and in the Confederacy because of his victories, his acceptance of hardship along with his men and his single minded determination to drive the Yankee invaders out of the South.

"Old Jack holds himself as the god of war, giving short, sharp commands distinctly, rapidly and decisively, without consultation or explanation, and disregarding suggestions and remonstrances. Being himself absolutely fearless...he goes ahead on his own hook, asking no advice and resenting interference. He places no value on human life, caring for nothing so much as fighting, unless it be praying. Illness, wounds and all disabilities he defines as inefficiency and indications of a lack of patriotism. Suffering from insomnia, he often uses his men as a sedative, and when he can't sleep calls them up, marches them for a few miles; then marches them back. He never praises his men for gallantry, because it is their duty to be gallant and they do not deserve credit for doing their duty." Genl Alexander Lawton (c20,n120)

"He is the idol of the people and is the object of greater enthusiasm than any other military chieftain of our day... notwithstanding the fact that he marches his troops faster and longer, fights them harder, and takes less care of them than any other officer in the service...This indifference to the comfort of his men is only apparent, however--not real. No man possesses a kinder heart or larger humanity; but when he has something to do, he is so earnest, so ardent and energetic that he loses sight of everything but the work before him." quote in Southern paper. (c22,n64)

I do not think another biography of Stonewall has captured the passion and humanity of the man since Dr. Dabney's initial biography a century ago. Mr. Robertson has gotten inside the story and given human form to a character in history many have failed to animate. He is not the starched lifeless robot or God's puppet as some have portrayed him but a real loving, working, and dying human being. When I ended the book I felt as though I had lost a dear brother - melancholy as one would expect from a well-done biography.

Perhaps the most compelling and dynamic civil war biography written. Not only does Robertson describe the audacity and boldness of Jackson the warrior that made him the most respected and feared Confederate leader among the Union Army's leadership, but he also describes the foundation of Jackson's personality that perpetuated and initiated Jackson's complete confidence that led to Confederate victories in battles against overwhelming Union forces. Look to Jackson's faith in God and his total obedience to the will of God, and you find the foundation for his determination, his bravery and tenacity in his command of Confederate forces. Indeed many of Jackson's commanders and acquaintences saw him as eccentric, stubborn and without compassion, but all who knew Jackson well recognized the gentleness and humility of this man. Robertson explains fully the events of Jackson's childhood, his education at a military institute, his skills and heroism in the Mexican War, his professorship at VMI and his role as a loving husband and father all of which forged Jackson into the brilliant Confederate leader and legend. Robertson's research is thorough and accurate as illustrated in the detailed bibliography and notes that are placed at the end of the book. After completing this book, one will feel that they know intimately Jackson the man, the husband and father, the disciple of the Lord and the soldier.

Robertson and Krick are the greatest biographers of Stonewall Jackson. Robertson who wrote the wonderful "Stonewall Brigade" and chaired the Civil war Centennial Commission under JFK writes the most detailed biography ever written on Stonewall Jackson. Robertson starts with the site of Jackson's birth in what is now West Virginia and documents his humble origins including the loss of his parents and separation from his sister. It's an amazing account of how Jackson even makes it to West Point only because the first choice had a very abrupt change of mind. Robertson's tells an inspiring story of how the little educated Jackson persevered academically at West Point in spite of his limited education. Robertson follows his career to the Mexican War where Jackson performed admirably and eventually ends up at VMI with Daniel Harvey Hill who eventually becomes a brother-in-law. Robertson also documents the fact that Jackson was not an inspiring professor dependent on rote memory for lectures.

Of course the great story is Jackson's CW career that includes bios of his staff that were as interesting as Jackson, particular the preacher (Dabney) who was his Chief of staff with a ridiculous beaver hat and umbrella that Jackson may have tried to lose by impulsively galloping with his staff into heavy woods. High points include Jackson's great valley campaign and his use of his mapmaker, the great battle of Cross Keys and Port Republic where Jackson is almost captured and there is very interesting detail on Jackson's laconic and ever puzzling performance during the 7 days campaign that has puzzled historians for a century. The high point of the Seven Days is the great battle of Glendale that almost cuts the Union army in two but the Confederates fight without Jackson's participation with 26,000 men when he is stymied and then dozes into a fatigue slumber. Robertson has an excellent description of Jackson's great wide flank march during his Manassas raid (a feast for his troops) and his impulsive attack on Pope's army leading to the 2nd Battle of Bull Run where his line holds a great defensive position at the railroad cut (you van still see it today) and he bears the brunt of attack until Longstreet's corps swings into action. Nice review of Antietam where Jackson absorbs most of the Union attacks and his great Chancerlorsville campaign, you can drive the 8 mile flank march today to appreciate how Jackson was isolated in a bold risk that he and Lee took literally subdividing the ANV into three parts.

Robertson also covers the personal side of Jackson, his loss of his first wife, his relationship with God and Church and the community he lived in as well as his charitable side such as leading a prayer group for slaves. But most interesting is Robertson's analysis of Jackson's behavior such as situations where he seemed to throw his hand or hands upright at the peak of battle as if asking for God's blessing and Robertson addresses Jackson's compulsiveness for secrecy that leaves General Ewell literally in the dark.

A large book, but for a Jackson aficionado, it's the best book on Jackson.

Author Robertson is not only a great historian, he is also an incredibly good wordsmith. Seldom in an historical biography have I seen such excellent writing combined with such in-depth and (relatively) unbiased research. This book is jammed with detailed information about Jackson: socially awkward, agonzingly shy and diffident, odedient to orders to the point of insanity, absurdly religious.Yet, this is my "take" on the book. The author never literally comes out and states this. He presents information. It is up to the reader to form his/her own opinions......After 40 plus years of studying Civil War history, I am long past hero worship. I never saw Jackson or Lee or any other general as a god - and I do not now. I don't believe that was the author's purpose. I believe his pupose was to present all the facts he could about Jackson in an organized and entertaining fashion. That the author is also a great writer makes this work all the more enjoyable. .......This is probably the BEST biography I have ever read, both in terms of scholarship and the quality of the writing. My only regret was that I did not get to read the many items that were left out of this already lengthy book by the authors and editors. I was not quite ready for Jackson to go.