Rating: 
Summary: Jackson, the Purest of Christian Warriors
Review: 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.
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Summary: Jackson, an American hero
Review: This is a wonderfully researched, highly readable, and I believe, definitive biography of a great American military hero. This superb book provides detail and academic rigor, combined with a skillful interweaving of Jackson's personal life and military exigencies. A must-read by anyone's definition, and a great model for other would-be Civil War biographers.
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Summary: Best Biography I Have Ever Read
Review: I have not read other biographies of Stonewall Jackson as others here have, so I cannot say if there are others out there that are better. However, of the biographies I have read (Theodore Rex, John Adams, etc.) this biography is by far the best I have ever read.
I currenly live in Centreville, VA and Manassas Battlefield and the surrounding areas are basically part of my everyday commute. So you can imagine that it was quite interesting to me to read about those battles in particular. I also attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. A lot of my life as been in the same georgraphy that Stonewall and his "foot cavalry" marched over (and over, and over) during his Valley Campaigns in particular.
Roberston goes to great lengths to describe Jackson the man during all stages of his life. I especially enjoyed learning about his service in the Mexican War and as a teacher at VMI. The book is so detailed that by the time the Civil War starts, your are almost half way through the biography! The one complaint I have is that the details of the Civil War campaigns are so meticulous that I actually got tired of reading about another 50+ mile march, often back to a town retaken by the Federals (Harrisonburg, Winchester, etc). However, Roberston's style pays off in spades in his accounts of each battle, how they were fought (including troop placements and supply trains), what the outcome meant to each side, and what it meant to Jackson is particular.
At the end of the book it is very hard to feel nothing in Jackson's death.
Rating: 
Summary: Readable, accurate and interesting
Review: 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.
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Summary: Truly excellent.
Review: This book is the best biography, and one of the best books, period, that I've read in the past five years. I couldn't help but wonder before starting the book how enjoyable and readable it would be--the 900+ pages seems a bit daunting even to an avid reader. As it turned out, I didn't have to "tackle" or "work on" the book at all; it was accessible and very enjoyable throughout. I expected that I would enjoy the latter portions of the book (Jackson's leadership in the Civil War), but I found the earlier portions, particularly Jackson's training at West Point and his teaching at VMI, very interesting as well. The book is filled with familiar stories well told and plenty of new ones you've never heard. I can't recommend it enough. An absolute "must read" for history readers.
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Summary: Detailed Bio by the Man Who Made Him a Life Study
Review: 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.
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Summary: Precious Insights into Jackson's Character, Humility & Faith
Review: Professor Robertson, one of the most distinguished Civil War historians of our time or any time (OK, I'm a bit biased since I took his Civil War series at Virginia Tech), provides rare insight into Stonewall Jackson at a very personal level. Through Robertson's incredibly well-researched and engaging narrative, he weaves together a tapestry of objective facts, amusing anecdotes, and lasting tributes to this great American and great man of Christian faith, integrity and principle. The reader cannot help but love and treasure Stonewall Jackson as a close friend, and in the same breath marvel and puzzle at this enigmatic leader. Robertson's work calls one to wonder how the history of this great nation might have been different, had General Jackson not been fired upon by his own troops on the Old Plank Road in that confusing night after the first day's battle at Chancellorsville. A must-read for any serious Civil War buff.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: For all the hype over thsi book, I had expected a truly original work of scholarship. Instead, the reader is treated to little more than several hundred pages of uncritical hero worship, dubious scholarship, and unengaging prose. Many fans of Stonewall Jackson seem to equate support for their idol with support for this book. They do General Jackson, and the caase of history, a great disservice. A number of the negative reviewers of this book (below) appear to have a better appreciation of the existing literature than do Robertson's champions. If you are genuinely looking for a balanced, accurate, and well written account of Jackson as solider, read Henderson's 2 vol classic. For Jackson the man, read Chambers's. At all costs, avoid Robertson's.
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Summary: Dull as Dirt
Review: I have to agree with the lastseveral reviews. This book was too long, too dry, and too fawning. This isn;t hisotyr; it's an overwritten love letter. If you're interested in LEARNING something about the Civil War, or Stonewall Jackson, look someplace else.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of Time and Money
Review: Overlong, dull as hell, and doesn't tell you anything you hadn't seen written in the past 50 years. If you need yet another uncritical, fawning portrait of Stonewall Jackson, feel free to waste your money here. Otherwise, look at the books recommended in the other reviews below.
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