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Title: Military Memoirs of a Confederate: A Critical Narrative by Edward Porter, General Alexander, Gary W. Gallagher ISBN: 0-306-80509-X Publisher: DaCapo Press Pub. Date: April, 1993 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (6 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Civil War Classic and powerful Memoir
Comment: This book is the work of one of Lee's Lieutenants, General Edward Porter Alexander. Alexander was Longstreet's artillery commander for most of the Civil War. As such, he saw action in the Eastern Theater from 1st Manassas, through to the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. After the war, he was encouraged by General Longstreet to write a history of his Corps. Unfortunately after completing most of the primary research, very few of the officers he contacted were willing to give him the first person authoritative accounts he wanted. What he instead was to write a memoir that almost 100 years later is still the model of historical writing.
For historians the danger of memoirs is twofold. First, many authors have an axe to grind and will suffer from "selective memory" in retelling their experiences. Also, but less deliberately, we are all the leading stars of our lives (if you aren't you oughta be). Taking center stage, authors can appear to have a larger role in the subject than they should otherwise have. With General Alexander's book though, there is no romanticism of the "Lost Cause", nor hero worship of the Lee/Jackson pantheon. Alexander dispassionately relates the campaigns he saw, with insightful critiques of the leaders of both sides. He doesn't spare himself from criticism either; you don't often see that in a memoir.
Anyone with a serious interest in Civil War campaigns should have this book in their library. However, if you are looking for a Confederate mea culpa, or a social history you should look elsewhere. Highly recommended.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent
Comment: I believe this to be the most accurate, and honest, first-hand account of the Army of Northern Virginia. After reading this book, your perception of certain battlefields will never be the same. Not only was Alexander a true soldier, but also a fine scholar.
Rating: 3
Summary: Very informative -- and very dry
Comment: This book, unlike Alexander's more recently discovered personal memoir, is only for the serious scholar. His account of strategy, tactics and troop movements is almost completely unleavened with anecdotes or personal reactions. I found it to be very dry, very hard to maintain interest in. That isn't to say it's not an important book -- it is, very much so. There are areas where Alexander's knowledge falters and he should not be taken as a sole source of information, but in general, this is a very detailed and worthwhile account by an intelligent participant. But recreational reading? Not on your life. I'd recommend the author's Fighting for the Confederacy instead.
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Title: Fighting for the Confederacy: The Personal Recollections of General Edward Porter Alexander by Edward Porter Alexander, Gary W. Gallagher ISBN: 0807847224 Publisher: Univ of North Carolina Pr Pub. Date: March, 1998 List Price(USD): $22.50 |
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Title: At the Right Hand of Longstreet: Recollections of a Confederate Staff Officer by G. Moxley Sorrel, Moxley Sorrell, Peter Carmichael ISBN: 0803292678 Publisher: Univ of Nebraska Pr Pub. Date: October, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.37 |
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Title: Gettysburg by Stephen W. Sears ISBN: 0395867614 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 24 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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Title: Chancellorsville by Stephen W. Sears ISBN: 039587744X Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 22 June, 1998 List Price(USD): $17.00 |
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Title: Return to Bull Run: The Campaign and Battle of Second Manassas by John J. Hennessy ISBN: 080613187X Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr (Trd) Pub. Date: September, 1999 List Price(USD): $18.02 |
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