Anonymous

A Suburb Look at a Much-Maligned Leader

Reviewed: 11-17-23 Listener received this title free

Napoleon is reputed to have said, "History is lies, agreed upon." The common treatment of James Longstreet could be cited as proof that Napoleon knew whereof he spoke. Indeed, there is no General on either side of the Civil War, with the possible exceptions of Grant and Sherman, who have received worse treatment at the hands of the self-appointed Southern crowd who tried to hijack the nation's memory of the events of 1861-1865.

According to this crew, Longstreet committed two great sins. First, he acted upon his belief in reconciliation between North and South once the War ended. Second, and more importantly, he was right when the great idol of the Lost Cause, General R.E. Lee, was wrong. For these sins against the South, Longstreet was to be punished for the rest of his life, and for much of the century-plus that followed.

The marvelous thing that Mr. Pfarr does in his book is to examine the work of those who held aloft the legend of the Lost Cause. He then systematically refutes their misconceptions, pointing out the lack of historical evidence for them, the fact that some of their assertions were impossible in terms of time and distance, and, above all, that Longstreet's temperament and actions belied their petty accusations.

Those who want to cuddle up at night with their vision of the faultless Lee and Stonewall Jackson will not enjoy this book. Mr. Pharr writes for those who embrace a truth that squares with the available evidence.

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Extended form of Fox News

Reviewed: 01-05-23

It was rather like listening to a very long Fox News broadcast, but was somewhat informative and occasionally entertaining if taken in small doses.

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A Delightful and Whimsical Tale

Reviewed: 11-12-22

Previously, my P.G. Wodehouse experience was limited to Jeeves et al. So, I almost passed on this one. What a mistake it would have been! I can’t remember enjoying a book more!

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I hopes for much more.

Reviewed: 07-03-20

I selected this book because it was written by a Vanderbilt. I hoped that he might have access to sources that had been unused by others, or at least significant insights. No such luck. He focused on a half dozen members, most of whom had been written about by other writers. Basically, the author appears to me to be trading on his name to sell books to which he gave little thought.

Thoroughly disappointing.

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Setting the story straight.

Reviewed: 10-18-16

This is a magnificent book. It clearly sets out a solid defense of Pope Pius XII, particularly in reference to his efforts to protect European Jews during World War II. The fact that this story is told from a Jewish perspective makes it that much more valuable.

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1 person found this helpful