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 Using dozens of previously unpublished letters as departure points, Pryor produces a stunning personal account of Lee's military ability, shedding new light on every aspect of the complex and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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... we cannot just admire or reject one aspect of Lee. They are not a kind of character compass that points forever in one direction. The letters force us to embrace a multifaceted man. Lee the flirt, the man handicapped by passivity and.
... we cannot just admire or reject one aspect of Lee. They are not a kind of character compass that points forever in one direction. The letters force us to embrace a multifaceted man. Lee the flirt, the man handicapped by passivity and.
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... kind letter of the 4th Ap[ril] has had a weary journey,” Lee told one of his favorite cousins. “It followed me to the Rio Grande, slowly finding its way from point to point, did not reach Fort Brown till after my departure, & has but ...
... kind letter of the 4th Ap[ril] has had a weary journey,” Lee told one of his favorite cousins. “It followed me to the Rio Grande, slowly finding its way from point to point, did not reach Fort Brown till after my departure, & has but ...
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... kind father, Charles Carter, wrote to Henry on May 20 that since he had given up the prospect of fighting with the French, there was no real objection to Lee's marriage with his daughter, but found it prudent to note that he expected ...
... kind father, Charles Carter, wrote to Henry on May 20 that since he had given up the prospect of fighting with the French, there was no real objection to Lee's marriage with his daughter, but found it prudent to note that he expected ...
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... kind dutiful & affectionate to yr dear mother as he was—which do you most love Anne or Mildred write & tell me everything which concerns you as fast as you can ever my dear son your loving father HL Master Sydney S. Lee1 Alexandria July ...
... kind dutiful & affectionate to yr dear mother as he was—which do you most love Anne or Mildred write & tell me everything which concerns you as fast as you can ever my dear son your loving father HL Master Sydney S. Lee1 Alexandria July ...
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... kind as to procure for me. He takes with him an Turtle which I 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 ...
... kind as to procure for me. He takes with him an Turtle which I 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 ...
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