General James Longstreet: The Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier : A Biography

Rating:
Summary: Excellent biography! A balanced portrait of a great leader
Review: "General James Longstreet, The Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier: A Biography" is a candid, fair and balanced portrait of a man who should, but doesn't, rank at the top of any list of the greatest American military leaders. James Longstreet's place in history has always been shrouded in controversy, much of it of his own making. In the decades since the Civil War, he has traditionally been blamed by historians for the Confederate army's loss at Gettysburg, and condemned for his service in the Grant administration as a traitor to the "Lost Cause."

Jeffry D. Wert's able pen (he writes in a very clear, concise and easily comprehensible style) and obviously meticulous research presents Lee's "old war-horse" as a general possessed with great strategic vision, an outstanding ability to lead troops in the field, and with tactically conservative, yet sound, instincts. Longstreet's personal flaws - his inability to control his emotions and support his superiors when he disagreed with them, and his vindictiveness toward his subordinates when they disagreed with him - are also fully explored. The author's admiration for his subject is evident throughout this book. The overall portrait that emerges is favorable - a general beloved by his troops and depended upon for his wise counsel and military skills by his boss, General Robert E. Lee; but also a military leader capable of serious misjudgments both on the field of battle, and in his dealings with both his superiors and subordinates.

This is one of the better biographies of one of the major figures of the Civil War, and a book I enjoyed thoroughly. I would have preferred a bit more detail on Longstreet's life after the Civil War, but that is my only (and very minor) reservation. Highly recommended for all Civil War enthusiasts!

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Summary: restoration of Longstreet
Review: An excellent biography, the author's effort to clear the air on James Longstreet proves to be very successful. In a clear and well written style with good insights into his main character, Jeffry Wert did great justice to a man who was totally misunderstood during much of the latter half of the 19th century and at least during the first half of 20th century. In clearing up Longstreet's name, Wert restored an element of Civil War history back on its rightful place. Wert believes that Longstreet was the finest corps commander Lee ever had (and better then any Union corps commanders). That is a bold statement which will be debated by many. The biography was geared more toward Longstreet's military career then his personal one and although the book proves to be filled with information, its all easily consumable by a causal reader. A must have book for any Civil War library.

Rating:
Summary: A well written biography
Review: General James Longstreet has long been one of my favorite Civil War Generals so when I came across this book I just had to have it. Mr Wert is a gifted writer and historian who leads the reader through Longstreets early childhood and education to his life at the Military Academy into his military career and his later political life. Mr Wert tells of his successes and failures, of the battles he won and the ones he lost. as well as his disagreements with other Generals and Confederate leaders. As someone else has stated you well learn nothing new here, You will find a well written biography without bias or editorial comment about one of the greatest civil was generals. I feel this is a must read for any civil war buff or any who is interested in learning more about this era of our history.

Rating:
Summary: A Fair, Informative, and Thorough Read...
Review: In this excellent well-written biography, Jeffry D. Wert clearly explains thoroughly, fairly, informatively, and in an interesting way the life of James L. Longstreet, arguably the best general on either side in the War Between the States. He goes into detail about the condition of the army, the disagreements among generals, and Longstreet's personal life. I am glad he also briefly described Longstreet's antebellum and post-war life. He considers Longstreet the pre-eminent corps commander in the Army of Northern Virginia, personally I concur and even continue to advance him to one of the finest ever. He clears away the fog of the "Lost Cause" myth, but is not uncritical of Longstreet, though he states that he never failed Lee on the field of battle. Altogether, as I noted above, it is a fair, informative, and thorough read, and is a must for all War enthusiasts.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Work
Review: One of the best Civil War books I've ever read. Wert has presented Longstreet in a way not shown in Gettysburg or any other book. He shows him as the man who did not hold Lee in the great awe others did, and was forward enough to say publicly that Lee had made mistakes. Te book shows aspects of Longstreet's character, actions in the heat of battle, times he was insuborinate, and his involvement in the politics of the southern army. A great reading for any Civil War buff.

Rating:
Summary: Good Straight Forward History
Review: This is a good straight forward history of General Longstreet and the to a lesser extent the Civil War. The book takes a very favorable view of Longstreet, but at times is rough on him when it is deserved. He does the same with the other Confederate Generals, including Lee and Jackson.

Wert does a fine job of describing the thinking of Longstreet and also of the other generals. He also fully discusses the strategic decisions that faced the South and the reasons that decisions were made. All, in all, it is a worthwhile read on an interesting subject.