Virginia's General

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-A companion to Marrin's Unconditional Surrender (Atheneum, 1994), in which the author represented Grant and the Union's story of the war. Here, he turns with equal style and integrity to Lee and the South. The first chapter combines details of Lee's early life with national political events, thus deftly setting the stage for the engrossing developments to come: Lee's leadership of the Army of Northern Virginia against a parade of ineffectual Union generals, the initial successes of Confederate forces, the turning point of Gettysburg, and finally the opposition of Grant. This is not a straight reportage of facts; instead, it is a complicated and well-considered mesh of personal anecdotes, letters, reports, songs, images, and events. The book has the texture of an episode in the PBS Civil War series, with the added dimension of analyzing Lee's motivations. Profusely illustrated with period photos and drawings, this title's appeal lies in its absorbing description and its compelling prose.-Kellie Flynn, St. Teresa High School, Decatur, IL

Carolyn Phelan

A good companion to Marrin's "Unconditional Surrender: U.S.Grant and the Civil War" , this biography presents Lee as a gentleman and a soldier. Beginning with Lee's pivotal decision to refuse command of the U.S. Army, the book fills in the details of his childhood, education, marriage, and career, and then concentrates on the Civil War years. Quotations from Lee, his generals, and particularly his soldiers offer insight into the times. Source notes are appended. Period photographs and prints of people and battles illustrate the book, and maps show the location of significant places and battlefield positions. Although readers of both books will come away feeling they know Grant better than Lee, each volume contributes to a fuller understanding of the Civil War. Well researched and quite readable, this biography belongs in many library collections.