Robert E. Lee

Command #7

by Ron Field, Adam Hook (Illustrator)

Robert E. Lee is widely recognized as the greatest commander in U.S. History. But why? In his new book, Ron Field, a member of the DC-based Company of Military Historians, seeks to convey the character, outlook, bearing, leadership style, and military brilliance of the “Old Man.” His narrative builds to Lee's “hour of destiny” during the Civil War where Lee outshined McClellan during the Seven Days, Pope at Second Manassas, Burnside at Fredericksburg, and Hooker at Chancellorsville. Field also explores the tragic side to Lee's legend: the heart attack that in 1963 sidelined him at Gettysburg; the loss of Stonewall Jackson to friendly fire that weakened his Western flank; and difficulties with fellow general Longstreet that contributed to his eventual defeat. Field also provides a balanced assessment of Lee's flaws, including his difficulty in giving clear commands to his subordinates.

Readers of Osprey will find in Robert E. Lee everything they have come to expect from an Osprey series title, including campaign maps, full-color illustrations-this time from Adam Hook, dozens of photographs and a selected bibliography.

Genres: American Civil War, Biography, History, Nonfiction, Military History

64 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2006

Reviews

[Declan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief overview of the life (and mainly battles) of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

It's an interesting and well done short book, but there are assumptions made about the reader's level of knowledge of the American Civil War - which is probably fair for a book from Osprey. Worth picking up if you like the Osprey format, and want a quick read with all the most pertinent information included.

[Koit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a good and informative overview on the CSA general though I wish that more of his personal beliefs had been described, even if only in a cursory manner.

[Claudio Di Blasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un testo semplice semplice, senza grandi pretese, pensato per la divulgazione. L'ideale per chi vuole farsi un'idea, nel giro di qualche ora di lettura, di chi fosse questo grande generale.

[Almantas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Osprey Publishing Command publication.

[Sid Mickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book and story of torn and divided loyalties.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Osprey has developed a series, "Leadership, Strategy, Conflict," in which military leaders are profiled in a slender volume, made accessible to an audience not interested in 600 page tomes. Here, the subject is Confederate General, Robert E. Lee.

His early life featured real challenges, as his father (a Revolutionary War hero) foundered economically; his mother was ill. He attended West Point and was exemplary. The book then tells of his slow advancement in the ranks. Her began as an engineer, and played an important role in the Mexican War as a part of Winfield Scott's staff. He did meritorious service in that conflict.

Then, the period between the Mexican War and the Civil War. He was the commander in charge when abolitionist John Brown was taken at Harper's Ferry. When the civil War loomed, he was actually given an offer to be commander of the Union forces. He demurred when Virginia seceded, staying loyal to his state.

Then, his service to the Confederate States of America. From the Seven Days to Second Manassas to Antietam (a mistake) to Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville to Gettysburg (well described by the author as Lee not at his best) to the Overland Campaign to the siege at Petersburg.

The book fairly describes his strengths and weaknesses (including the inability to chew out subordinates who didn't carry out their assigned tasks).

All in all, a nice addition to this series. . . .

[Sean Chick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pedestrian.