Tidewater Dynasty: The Lees of Stratford Hall [Hardcover]

Carey Roberts (Author), Rebecca Seely (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1981

From Tom Lee to Robert E. Lee, who made the fateful decision to turn from the nation he loved to defend the state he loved more, the Lees of Virginia dominated both their local and our national landscape.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

These meticulously detailed cluster biographies of headline members of Virginia's remarkable Lee family (circa 1718-1810) center mainly on the evolution of the Lees' public political stances - which fueled the founding of the Republic; but though this book is admirable in scope and organization, it's sorry stuff as fiction. The narrative begins with Thomas Lee, the first Lee to build on Virginia's Northern Neck after a jumble of land claims. But the bulk of the chronicle, of course, is devoted to Richard Henry Lee and his noble "Band of Brothers": doctor-lawyer-pamphleteer Arthur, a lobbyist in England for a generous Colonial policy who also becomes instrumental in obtaining French aid when revolution's in the wind; William, appointed alderman in London, meanwhile working as an agent for the American cause; Francis Lightfoot, signer of the Declaration and member of the Continental Congress. And Richard Henry himself speaks out against slavery in 1759; is a leader in urging concerted action in response to the Stamp Act; introduces the motion paving the way for the Declaration; works for a Bill of Rights; and holds many offices, including Senator from Virginia. Nor have the authors forgotten cousin "Lighthorse Harry" Lee - a daring and dashing military man, a major voice in ratifying the Constitution, a governor of Virginia, and the father of Robert E. (who appears in a brief epilogue). Throughout the dinners, meetings, balls, and treks to Philadelphia, great personages come and go: Washington (cool, austere); both Adamses; Franklin; Madison; and other Founding Fathers. And there are a goodly number of weddings and courtings, all featuring smitten young men and pretty girls. Unfortunately for readers, however, there's not one untidy pepperpot in the lot: there's no fire in the excesses of Lighthorse Harry, Patrick Henry, or Ben Franklin; too discreet a distance is kept from Richard Henry's other brother, Colonel Phil, who causes his younger dependents to flee his house. . . or sister Missy, who lives in sin to save her inheritance; and the dialogue, whether about politics or mating, is generally history-text flat. Certainly this covers the Lees' major contributions, but for the casual reader of fiction it's awfully severe. (Kirkus Reviews ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Carey Roberts is a contributor for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt titles including: "Tidewater Dynasty: A Biographical Novel of the Lees of Stratford Hall".

Rebecca Seely is a contributor for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt titles including: "Tidewater Dynasty: A Biographical Novel of the Lees of Stratford Hall". --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 436 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt; 1st edition (May 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0151902941
• ISBN-13: 978-0151902941
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,372,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A personal look at the Lee's of Virginia., February 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tidewater Dynasty: The Lees of Stratford Hall (Hardcover)

Tidewater Dynasty is a fictional account of the Lee family. It is based upon historic dates and facts. The glimpses of the Lee family are not true to life. All the Lee husbands are good looking, intelligent, perfect husbands, unselfish, ... All the wives have the same traits. There is one Lee who does not comform to the Lee image. I suppose he embodies all the bad traits of the Lee family so that none of the others had any.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good feel of life in Virginia before and during the revolution, July 9, 2008

By 

A Virginian (Tidewater VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tidewater Dynasty: A Biographical Novel Of The Lees Of Stratford Hall (Harvest/HBJ Book) (Paperback)

Living in the part of Virginia that this novel is set in and surrounded by the remains of plantations, homes and towns that are a part of the story really helps to understand just what the Lees had to survive to even exist. I cannot imagine getting on a horse or in a carriage and going from Williamsburg to the Rappahannock let alone Philadelphia. I think the authors did a very good job of bringing to light just how difficult living in Virginia was and just what type of person thrived here. They also brought up the differences the Virginians who lead an agricultural lifestyle had with the Northern states whose population was more city oriented and how that eventually lead to the Civil War. All in all I enjoyed the representation of the lives of these people but do agree that not all of them were as beautiful and handsome as depicted.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sort of a let-down, but an interesting book nonetheless, June 27, 2001

By 

Moon Girl (Brick, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tidewater Dynasty: A Biographical Novel Of The Lees Of Stratford Hall (Harvest/HBJ Book) (Paperback)

I've always been interested in the Lee family of Virginia, especially Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot, the Declaration of Indpedence signers, so I ordered this book, hoping it would give me an insight into the world the two lived in. The book did, in a way. Some of the best points were when the authors described the society of Old Virginia, the relationships between the Virginia families, and how the colonists lived. Thankfully, the authors did a good job of portraying Richard H. and Francis L., but after that, the book sort of went downhill. I definitely did not enjoy how the authors portrayed Henry 'Light Horse Harry' Lee. He came off as some whiny, simpering man, and it really annoyed me. But, other than that, this book is a great insight into the society of Old Virginia and a fair look at the Lee family, and their roll in our history