Soul of the Lion: A Biography of General Joshua L. Chamberlain

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Summary: Chamberlain is great the book is dull
Review: It has been several years since I read Soul of the Lion. However, although the Civil War years of Chamberlain are quite interesting and alive, the rest of the book is quite dull. Chamberlain's remaining days in Maine and Florida are just not very interesting reading. I attribute most of this to Wallace's weakness as a writer.

Rating:
Summary: A fitting tribute to an outstanding General and Soldier.
Review: This is an excellent book by Willard M. Wallace that was first written in 1960. It begins with the family background of the Chamberlain family and its historical roots back in Europe and then goes to the birth of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and details his life story, in which many triumphs and tragedies happened. While this book was written in a "romantic glossy tone", it is an excellent resouce for material about this gallant soldier and his contribution to save the Union at Gettysburg and Petersburg

A man of immense intellect Chamberlain spoke many languages and was a gifted writer and poet. His natural leadership abilities was an inspiration not only to the students at Bowdoin College in Maine, but also to the 20th Maine on the hard fought day of July 2, 1863. This man quite possibly saved the Battle and thus the Union with his suprising and daring charge down Little Round Top thus suprising the men of the 15th Alabama and the rest of Confederate General Evander Law's Brigade.

A true leader, as the book points out, Chamberlain was elected Governor of Maine and in later life was a great speaker at many GAR Reunions.

This is an excellent book and highly recommended to anyone who wants to know more about the brave and amazing Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.

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Summary: An American hero for all seasons...
Review: Willard Wallace has written a fine book about a genuinely great man. Joshua Chamberlain's heroic leadership of the 20th Maine Regiment stemming wave attacks by Confederate forces against the "Little Round Top" flank of The Army of the Potomac at Gettsyburg has become the stuff of legend. Whether this combat was the crucial engagement of the key battle of The Civil War is for historians and buffs to endlessly debate. What is not debatable is that Chamberlain was one of the most extraordinary Americans who ever lived in the service of this nation. Wallace' focus on the brilliant military achievenments of Joshua Chamberlain is complemented with a detailed account of his life as a scholar of national repute; an educational visonary (while President of Bowdoin college); Governor of Maine; Commandant of the Maine Milita (credited with thwarting possible civil war in Maine over the contested state election of 1800); and a Christian gentleman who believed that the best of one's religious convictions should certainly affect his public actions as soldier, professor and officer of the state.

A reviewer has noted Mr. Wallace' book is occasionally laudatory in the extreme. If this is a fault, let the reader judge to see if the tone of praise is warranted. Wallace does not gloss over Chamberlain's (well-earned) "aristocratic" bearing and philosophical outlook. The man clearly "walked the walk" as well as...being an accomplished orator..."talked the talk". Today's reader innundated with the secular gospel of Political Correctness may squirm a bit when he learns General/Governor/ Professor/Avowedly religious, seminary trained Citizen Chamberlain's views on the efficacy of capital punishment and the proper role of equity in its enforcement by the State. Or maybe not...... SOUL OF A LION is an inspiring piece of biography whose intention is to uplift the spirit as well as inform the mind. It...in my estimate...eminently succeeds as story and tribute. The former: as good and needed respite from cynicism often pervading present-day historical scholarship. The latter: as encouraging acknowledgement; reminding readers that valor and excellence of intellect and spirit are practical virtues and foundationally admirable. Joshua Chamberlain extraordinarily incarnated what makes a good man great. If Wallace account of his life is hero worship, so be it. Our time needs heroes. Joshua Chamberlain, in war and peace, was certainly an American hero for all seasons.