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 Using dozens of previously unpublished letters as departure points, Pryor produces a stunning personal account of Lee's military ability, shedding new light on every aspect of the complex and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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... hope is that those who read this book will give careful attention to the documents themselves—which are stirring, thought-provoking, and amusing—perhaps rereading them at the conclusion of each “excursion.” For in the end it is Lee's ...
... hope is that those who read this book will give careful attention to the documents themselves—which are stirring, thought-provoking, and amusing—perhaps rereading them at the conclusion of each “excursion.” For in the end it is Lee's ...
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... hope you will deserve.”9 Lee's letters did make a good impression. Business was conducted promptly and correctly, in a formal style borrowed from the previous century. To these correspondents he. “remained yr most obt servant, RE Lee ...
... hope you will deserve.”9 Lee's letters did make a good impression. Business was conducted promptly and correctly, in a formal style borrowed from the previous century. To these correspondents he. “remained yr most obt servant, RE Lee ...
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... hope may get safe to you. It is 22 wt & said to be very fat—the only article here which you can desire—I have not seen it, as Iscarcely ever leave my room I think I could occasionally eat some of yr beef—send me three flanks well cured ...
... hope may get safe to you. It is 22 wt & said to be very fat—the only article here which you can desire—I have not seen it, as Iscarcely ever leave my room I think I could occasionally eat some of yr beef—send me three flanks well cured ...
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... hope that she might find “abundant consolation in the virtues of your excellent & promising children.”40 Word must have reached Henry Lee's eldest son the same day, for he also wrote to Ann, but in more emotional tones. “To the grief of ...
... hope that she might find “abundant consolation in the virtues of your excellent & promising children.”40 Word must have reached Henry Lee's eldest son the same day, for he also wrote to Ann, but in more emotional tones. “To the grief of ...
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... , except perhaps yourself, consider invaluable. If any shadows darken your mind, the sunlight of the best and most affectionate Society will I trust dispel them, and especially do I hope & pray Chapter Three:The Torchbearers.
... , except perhaps yourself, consider invaluable. If any shadows darken your mind, the sunlight of the best and most affectionate Society will I trust dispel them, and especially do I hope & pray Chapter Three:The Torchbearers.
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