Edward Lee and Ron Chepesiuk collaborate to compile Confederate experiences recorded in letters and diaries in their superbly history, South Carolina In The Civil War. Seventeen accounts provide us insights into the lives of a Confederate spy, a German immigrant, the voices of ordinary women, and common men whose love for their state led them to risk their lives and liberties in its defense during the harrowing years of the American civil war. Highly recommended for academic collections and Civil War buffs, the informative, engaging text is enhanced with photographs of many of the contributors, along with maps placing events in context.

This is a beautifully done book on Hawaiian Petroglyphs. Excellent or both the enthusiast and someone who is has passing interest. It makes for a great coffee table book, as well as one for reference for the more than curious. I have a collection of books on Hawaiian Petroglyphs, but this is definitely one of the better, must haves, for those who are remotely interested.

This was a very interesting book for me to read because Edward Lee Howard's son lives by me and goes to school with my sister. I also think it was very informative on how he got away.

An absolutely must have book for armchair adventurers, shipwreck divers, treasure hunters, and Gone With The Wind fans. The obvious amount of research that has gone into this work is staggering. This is definitely the definitive book on Civil War wrecks of the Confederate Coast. But more than that, it is extremely well written and highly interesting. Perhaps the most fascinating part of this book is the first chapter, which details the authors research and discovery of the true identity of the real Rhett Butler. His evidence is overwhelming. There is no question he has proved the identity of the true Rhett, and in doing so he has revealed a wealth of never before told details, including why Margaret Mitchell lied and claimed Rhett was pure fiction. According to Spence, Rhett was actually based on Charlestonian George Trenholm, who was tall, brave, and handsome. Trenholm made todays equivalent of over one billion dollars in just four years of blockade running. Like his fictional counterpart, Trenholm was accused of making off with the gold of the Confederate Treasury, and he really did have a beautiful, fast, young widow visit him in jail. Most of the missing treasure remains hidden to this day. I actually felt like I was diving with him when I read the exciting story of his discovery of Trenholm's wrecked blockade runner Georgiana. As if that was not enough the book includes information on another 500 Civil War shipwrecks off the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Although brief, each shipwreck account is complete in itself. You will also be surprised to learn the facts behind his exciting discovery of the tiny Hunley and his efforts to see that it is raised and preserved. The Hunley was the first submarine in the entire history of the world to sink an enemy ship. This unique 527 page book has over 100 photographs, drawings and maps. It is well indexed and perhaps the most thoroughly researched book I have ever seen and is thoroughly documented by well over 2,500 individually cited reference notes

As if often the case with any examination of the life and military career of Robert E. Lee, author Albert Marrin begins "Virginia's General" with the pivotal date of April 18, 1861, when Lee rejected taking battlefield command of the United States Army. Lee is the most revered general in American History, mainly because of the inherent nobility in fighting brilliantly for a lost cause, an effect that can be traced back to Homer's "Iliad" and Hector, breaker of horses. One of the inevitable questions in studying his life is what his reputation would have been in the American history books if he had accepted that offer instead. Would he have led the Federal forces to a quick victory thereby saving hundreds of thousands of lives? Would the abolition of slavery have gone "better" if the South had not been devastated by the war? However, as interesting as these questions are to pursue, they are just idle speculation and Marrin's task is to understand Robert E. Lee as both a person and a solider, setting him in his own time.

Marrin devotes his first chapter to Lee's life and military career through John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, where Lee led the marines who retook the arsenal. The rest of the book divides Lee's actions during the Civil War into distinct periods defined by various tasks and battles (e.g., Savior of Richmond deals with Lee taking command of the Confederate Army after General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded and Lee's Masterpiece is about the Battle of Chancellorsville). What is revealed is the portrait of a young officer who graduated West Point without receiving a single demerit and whose loyalty to his native Virginia convinced him to serve the Confederacy. But Marrin also describes the battles in such a way that young readers can appreciate Lee as a military strategist, both in terms of his many successes and his final defeats.

"Virginia's General: Robert E. Lee and the Civil War" is illustrated with historic photographs and paintings, as well as small maps of each of the major battles of the war. Marrin provides an engaging narrative that covers a lot of information and works in a lot of quotations to maintain the effect that this is an interesting story and not just a history book. I also appreciate that Marrin covers the entire Civil War, since what was happening in the West affected Lee's decisions as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Consequently, this is not the first book that a young reader would turn to for an introduction to Lee, but it for a more in-depth examination of his Civil War career this is a solid choice.

What a thrill for students of the Confederacy! "Marse Robert's" own words come to life in his letters and dispatches of the war years! The editors do a masterful job of beginning each chapter/section with a framing sequence, followed by the respective text of key "papers" written by Genl Lee. From simplistic "love-letters" to his wife, to stratagems dispatched to Jackson, Johnston, Ewell, et. al., the reader is given first hand insights to the personality and thought-processes of the CSA's dominant figure.
On a structural note, the book is set in somewhat small print. A handful of maps are offered. At 900-plus pages, I'd suggest this book for (obviously!) serious students of the war or Genl Lee. Perhaps one should first digest on of the many biographies of R. E. Lee before attacking this Bible-sized epic.

This is an in-depth look at the days leading up to the evacuation of Vietnam, by my Father who was there on the USS Midway. Learn about the heroism and tragedy of this dark period of American history. My favorite story is about the Vietnamese Air Force pilot who flew his entire family out in a 2 man Piper Cub.

What makes this book fascinating is the different philosophies of the 2 authors. Toby was the son of a Navy admiral, who would serve his country for 20 years. Ed is an ex-Vietnam war protester with a doctorate in history. Toby has his doctorate in management science. What makes this book work is Ed's devotion to historical accuracy and Toby's extensive connections within the military community.

General William Dorsey Pender: A Military Biography is a superbly presented contribution to Civil War studies as biographer Edward Longacre relates the life and career of this Confederate officer. William Pender of North Carolina first came to prominence during the Seven Days' Battle when a number of junior Confederate officers took bold action to counter the battlefield errors of some of their better-known superiors. From id-1862 to mid-1863 he commanded a North Carolina brigade and soon came to the attention of General Robert E. Lee as he distinguished himself on a series of battlefields including Seven Pines, Gaines's Mills, Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Harpers Ferry, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. Pender meet his fate at Gettysburg in July of 1863 when he was felled by a wound that would eventually take his life. General William Dorsey Pender is a meticulous, articulate, and valued contribution to Civil War Studies reading lists and reference collections.

While limited in scope, this is a very good book about an extraordinary figure in American history. Beginning only a few days before Fort Sumter and concluding with Appomattox, Mr. Davis' narrative is not designed as a biography of Robert E. Lee, and only limited dimensions of his character and his life are revealed in it. What the book does achieve is to paint a vivid picture of Lee's role in the Civil War and, through this vehicle, to reveal something essential about this bloodiest of American tragedies, which is a story of many sad paradoxes. A genuinely kindly and self-effacing man, Lee the military commander was nonetheless a wily aggressor who, along with his Union counterparts, invented a new kind of warfare which at the time had no precedent anywhere in the world for the degree of mass slaughter it unleashed. Lee adamantly opposed slavery on moral grounds and was appalled at the decision of the southern states to succeed from the American nation, the service of which he had devoted his professional life to. Despite these misgivings, he took up the Southern cause for the purpose of defending his native Virginia. Having reluctantly committed himself, he took up command of the Confederate army with such determination and skill that, prior to Gettysburg, he was arguably within range of accomplishing the Southern victory that he himself always believed to be unlikely. One of the strengths of this book is that the author seeks neither to romanticize nor debunk Lee. He lets primary sources speak for themselves through much of the narrative, and the portrait of Lee that emerges is one largely consistent with the popular image of the man as one of history's great tragic heroes. This books biggest weakness, at least for me, was it's failure to flesh out the strategic context for Lee's actions during the war. The narrative follows him through the major engagements in which he participated, but gives minimal perspective on military or political events occurring outside of Lee's camp. A comprehensive history of the war is beyond the scope of this short study, but the marvelous story it tells falls somewhat short due to the lack of background information. Still, the book is very well worth reading, and I recommend it.

I remember reading "Gray Fox" many years ago, and for some reason it didn't leave a major impact on me then... Then I recently bought the "new" version, and found it extremely gripping, and more importantly - quite readable.

The first chapter sets the tone of the book - it tells of the inner crisis that Lee faced with Secession, the attack on Fort Sumter, and his decision to reject President Lincoln's offer of a command of the Union Army.One can sense the full drama of the moment, as Lee turns his back on his love of country and army in favor of his state, about to join the Southern Confederacy.

Above all, Burke Davis is a master storyteller - and his Civil War Histories, though basically written from a Southern perspective (he has also written biographies of "Stonewall" Jackson and Jeb Stuart, as well as the wonderful "The Civil War: Strange and Fascinating Facts")are on a par with those written by Catton, Foote, and McPherson.By emphasizing both the history and the human interest aspects of Lee, Davis makes the reader feels a part of the story; as if he were at Lee's side at Antietam, Gettysburg, Appomattox...

For those interested in learning both the realities as well as the legend of Lee, I would strongly suggest purchasing this book, as well as Alan Nolan's controversal "Lee Reconsidered" (which presents a more sobering view of Lee the man) as vantage points to begin reading about the man considered by many to be America's "finest General" - though I'm not so sure about that opinion myself.

Nicely written clear and concise facts from beginning to end. Burke Davis quotes and paraphrases several first hand accounts of civilians Confederate, and Union officers. Mr. Davis also recites several letters from General Robert E. Lee to family, Jefferson Davis, Confederate officers and General Grant.

The reading of this biography permeates vast knowledge of Robert E. Lee. Starting with his birth, education at West Point, emergence from the Mexican War, "with a reputation as the army's most talented young officer." Mr. Davis does a great job of conveying General Lee's concerns about the possibility of civil war. Robert E. Lee made the difficult decision to resign from the U.S. military. Here is a sample of General Lee's letter of resignation. "I have devoted all the best years of my life and all the ability I posed. During the whole time-more than a quarter of a century-I have experienced nothing but kindness from my superiors and a most cordial friendship from my comrades. To no one, General, have I been as much indebted as to yourself for uniform kindness and consideration. I shall carry to the grave the most grateful recollections of your kind consideration, and your name and fame will always be dear to me."

The book is worthy of reading I'll probably read it a few more times. Therefore five stars seems appropriate for a truly amazing book. This book is for folks from any geographical area. Whatever your race, creed, culture, religion is this book can be an enjoyable read. I leave you with one last quote this is Robert E. Lee's opinion of slavery. "There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil...I think it greater evil to the white than to the black race."

In the book Robert E. Lee on Leadership, the reader is brought into a historical realm to learn about the leadership qualities of a great man. Although it mentions the primary differences between the sides in the Civil War, it was not one-sided as one might expect from the title. The literary masterpiece focused on two aspects of Robert E. Lee's leadership, first as a Christian and then understanding the cause in which he fought for in the War Between the States.

Within the book the author uses a storytelling style to take the many historical facts and intertwine them to bring the leadership qualities to life. It seems that a day did not go by in the life of Robert E. Lee where his personage did not utilize some aspect of leadership. Although a good portion of this book deals with the war, the rest brings you into the lighter side of the man. It shows him as a father, a teacher and a businessman. There is virtually no stone left unturned within the story about the West Point graduate. It shows how Lee surrounded himself with other great leaders and even provides background information on them in the Appendix.

I feel this book is essential to any leadership course and will use many aspects of it during my own leadership training. The book left me hoping that a follow-up book will be written to discuss the leadership qualities of some of Lee's adversaries and then contrast and compare the two leadership styles.

Being a fan of the Civil War and involved with managing a business, I found this book quite inciting and useful. Lee's methods for dealing with people throughout his life offered thoughtful approach to situations in modern times that anyone can find beneficial. This book covers Lee's early stages in life and strikes with a wealth of information regarding his involvement in the Civil War. Lee after the war and his death is presented with leadership examples that offer a great view of the man and his ability to handle many situations. In this coverage, author H.W. Crocker III captures important events in Lee's history and explains Lee's approach to being leader in them. What makes an interesting addition to this book is that Lee's triumphs are also covered as well as his failures. How Lee handles such events are dramatically conveyed and offer great value to the reader. I would highly recommend this book for everyone, as people who are not managers or involved in business can benefit. This is a great book for anyone looking to improve their life while offering peaceful and thoughtful resolve to conflicting situtations.

If you are looking for a Robert E. Lee biography, or a detailed historical account of Lee's civil war experiences, this book is not for you. The subtitle to this book, "Executive lessons in character, courage, and vision," is precisely why I recommend it to anyone interested in developing as a person of character and as an effective leader.

As a fan of military history, Crocker's use of Lee's civil war experiences as the primary setting for this masterful analysis of Lee's leadership was as informative as it was entertaining. Crocker also used Lee's pre- and post-war experiences to present a complete picture of Lee the man as well as Lee the soldier. Ten of the book's eleven chapters ended with concise, bulletized leadership lessons that highlighted the chapter's key points. Lee's leadership was not always perfect, and the chapters' lessons allowed me to learn from and understand Lee's failures and successes.

Crocker's expert use of quotes complemented his descriptive narratives and in-depth analysis to create an easy-to-read character and leadership primer. Consider the following examples...

* In a letter to his son: "Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn them to your advantage."

* General Grant's recollection of Lee's April 9, 1865 surrender at Appomattox: "[Lee] was a man of much dignity, with an impassable face... my own feelings, which had been quite jubilant on the receipt of his letter [agreeing to discuss terms for the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia], were sad and depressed. I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought."

* "...obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character...As a general principle you should not 'force' young men to do their duty, but let them do it voluntarily and therefore develop their characters...Young men must not expect to escape contact with evil, but must learn not to be contaminated by it. That virtue is worth but little that requires constant watching and removal from temptation."

Robert E. Lee was devoutly loved by the men he was privileged to lead, deeply respected by the commanders who opposed him, and always recognized as a true gentleman by all who knew him. Read this book and you will learn why Robert E. Lee remains one of the most revered American leaders in history.