Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters“Pryor’s biography helps part with a lot of stupid out there about Lee – chiefly, that he was, somehow, ‘anti-slavery.’” – Ta-Nehisi Coates, theatlantic.com An “unorthodox, critical, and engaging biography” (Boston Globe) – Winner of The Lincoln Prize Robert E. Lee is remembered by history as a tragic figure, stoic and brave but distant and enigmatic. Using dozens of previously unpublished letters as departure points, Pryor produces a stunning personal account of Lee's military ability, shedding new light on every aspect of the complex and contradictory general's life story. Explained for the first time in the context of the young United States's tumultuous societal developments, Lee's actions reveal a man forced to play a leading role in the formation of the nation at the cost of his private happiness. |
From inside the book
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... daughter some thirty years later. “It is said that our letters are good representatives of our minds...They certainly present a good criterion for judging of the character of the individual,” he told her. “You must be careful that yours ...
... daughter some thirty years later. “It is said that our letters are good representatives of our minds...They certainly present a good criterion for judging of the character of the individual,” he told her. “You must be careful that yours ...
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... by Lee on November 22, 1861, to his daughters Annie and Agnes. The signature “RE Lee” is the one he used all his life. JESSIE BALL DUPONT MEMORIAL LIBRARY, STRATFORD The development of stamps did not eliminate all the uncertainty.
... by Lee on November 22, 1861, to his daughters Annie and Agnes. The signature “RE Lee” is the one he used all his life. JESSIE BALL DUPONT MEMORIAL LIBRARY, STRATFORD The development of stamps did not eliminate all the uncertainty.
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... daughter Mary in the 1880s, returning letters from her father and J. E. B. Stuart. Similar notes, postmarked Illinois or Massachusetts, were received from time to time by the Lee descendants.35 In 2002 an enterprising great ...
... daughter Mary in the 1880s, returning letters from her father and J. E. B. Stuart. Similar notes, postmarked Illinois or Massachusetts, were received from time to time by the Lee descendants.35 In 2002 an enterprising great ...
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... daughter in the vault, a fabulous treasure which this author was greatly privileged to explore.36 Lee himself believed all his private letters had been destroyed, and never recovered them during his 37 lifetime. In fact, more than a ...
... daughter in the vault, a fabulous treasure which this author was greatly privileged to explore.36 Lee himself believed all his private letters had been destroyed, and never recovered them during his 37 lifetime. In fact, more than a ...
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... Vagrant & Beggar. General Lee at the time of his marriage with her was a widower. By his first marriage he had two children—one—a daughter,—married & proved to be everything that was abominable—the other, a son—was the.
... Vagrant & Beggar. General Lee at the time of his marriage with her was a widower. By his first marriage he had two children—one—a daughter,—married & proved to be everything that was abominable—the other, a son—was the.
Contents
Seven Arias | |
Pioneers | |
Odyssey | |
Theory Meets Reality | |
Upon a Fearful Summons | |
Field of Honor | |
A GeneralIs a Rare Product | |
ApogeePerigee | |
Overwhelmed | |
The Political Animal | |
The Family Circle | |
Humanity and the | |
Adrenaline | |
Crenellations | |
BlackEyed Fancies | |
The Headache | |
Mutable Shield | |
Ragged Individualists 399 | |
A Leap in the Dark | |
Blurred Vision | |
If Vanquished I Am Still Victorious | |
Acknowledgments | |
Selected Bibliography | |
Index | |
Other editions - View all
Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters Elizabeth Brown Pryor No preview available - 2008 |
Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters Elizabeth Brown Pryor No preview available - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
actions American appears Arlington army arrived battle became began believed brother cadets called Carter cause command Confederate considered continued cousin Custis daughter Davis DE-LC dear death Diary early Engineers example expressed father fear feel fight finally followed forces friends gave George give given hand Henry Lee hope important interest John July June kind later Lee’s letter lines lived look March Mary Mexican military months mother never North Northern noted officers once political Press question quoted remained Richmond Robert Robert Lee Scott seems servants slavery slaves society soldiers South southern Texas things thought told took tried troops Union United University Virginia wanted Washington West Point wife writing wrote York young