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Douglas Southall Freeman
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Lee Paperback – Abridged, August 1, 1997

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 427 ratings
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Douglas Southall Freeman’s Pulitzer Prize–winning biography of Robert E. Lee was greeted with critical acclaim when it was first published in 1935. This reissue chronicles all the major aspects and highlights of the general’s military career, from his stunning accomplishments in the Mexican War to the humbling surrender at Appomattox.

More than just a military leader, Lee embodied all the conflicts of his time. The son of a Revolutionary War hero and related by marriage to George Washington, he was the product of young America’s elite. When Abraham Lincoln offered him command of the United States Army, however, he choose to lead the confederate ranks, convinced that his first loyalty lay with his native Virginia. Although a member of the planter class, he felt that slavery was “a moral and political evil.” Aloof and somber, he nevertheless continually inspired his men by his deep concern for their personal welfare.

Freeman’s biography is the full portrait of a great American—a distinguished, scholarly, yet eminently readable classic that has linked Freeman to Lee as irrevocably as Boswell to Dr. Johnson.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    656 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Scribner
  4. Publication date
    August 1, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    6.13 x 1.6 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0684829533
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0684829531
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Douglas Southall Freeman, the son of a Confederate soldier, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1886. He was commissioned to write a one-volume biography of Lee in 1915, but his research and writings over two decades produced four large volumes. Freeman won another Pulitzer Prize for his six-volume definitive biography of George Washington. He died in 1953.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; Touchstonee ed. edition (August 1, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 656 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0684829533
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0684829531
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.56 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.13 x 1.6 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 427 ratings

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Douglas Southall Freeman

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
427 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Textian
5.0 out of 5 stars A very good book
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2023
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For years I have wanted to learn more about R E Lee. This tome is a very good biography and I am certain the multi-volume set from which it springs is even more detailed. The book briefly covers Lee’s pre-war years and then spends the majority of the chapters covering Lee’s role in The War Between the States. It is decidedly written by a Lee fan.
4 people found this helpful
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rlcamazon
5.0 out of 5 stars A great man, Robert E. Lee, for any time any age.
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2014
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Very satisfying history to read. An exceptional man working in very, very difficult circumstances. Modern readers will find it difficult to find a comparable man in our midst.
Another time and other places where man and women where made of a much greater stuff than now. With basic, good human values and great intellect, compassion, forbearance, patience, knowledge in the art of war, who accepted and worked with man of lesser capacity than his. Yes, lesser talents (understanding) than his.
He knew of man frailties, vanities and accepted them as such without belittling them, so he could use their talented parts for a clear objective. Even though the objective failed and was flawed, the effort was grand and glorious for the man, Robert E. Lee, for his character was very special for our history as Americans. A good example for any any man at any time, regardless of the passing of time..
24 people found this helpful
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Steven M. Anthony
4.0 out of 5 stars Handicapped by the Absence of Detailed Maps
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2018
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This biography of Robert E. Lee is actually an abridged version of the author’s original 1934 four volume work on the subject. Even stripped of footnotes, bibliographies and indexes, it is hard to imagine that there was almost 300% more material in the expanded work. This book certainly contained all of the information I needed on the life and work of Robert E. Lee.

First, from a full disclosure standpoint, it should be noted that I attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia for my undergraduate degree, so I was somewhat familiar with the subject and favorably inclined as well. I have read dozens of books on the Civil War and the major participants, having recently read biographies of U. S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

The author of this biography was certainly a Lee fan, and regardless of your views on the causes and the justifications for the American Civil War, there is much about the character of Robert E. Lee to admire and emulate. Certainly, prior to the War, Lee was one of, if not the most highly regarded and accomplished soldiers in the American Army.

As you might imagine, over two-thirds of the book cover the period of time between 1860 and 1865. It goes into great detail regarding the strategy and tactics of each troop movement over which Lee had authority. It does this through reference to small towns, names of roads, crossings and fords, yet the book contains only the most basic and rudimentary maps, infrequently situated and very scantily notated; in other words, of virtually no help whatsoever in visualizing or making sense of the pages and pages of descriptive text. These textual sections, of which there are dozens, which sometimes stretch for pages, are therefore rendered largely meaningless. In my case, this was not fatal, since I was largely familiar with most of the major battles and their development, but a Civil War novice would be largely handicapped by this absence of maps.

Of particular interest to me were the early and late sections of the book, dealing with Lee’s years at West Point and in the Mexican-American War and then his years as President of what was then Washington College.

While largely hagiographic, the author does point out a number of strategic and tactical errors made by Lee during his generalship of the Army of Northern Virginia and makes reference to criticism by others, though largely holding these to be poorly supported. All in all, a good, comprehensive biography of the life of Robert E. Lee, the only major complaint being the paucity of descriptive maps to support the referenced troop movements in the text.
54 people found this helpful
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Subhi N. SALOOM
5.0 out of 5 stars Legend forever
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2023
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One of my best US Generals ..RIP Sir ..you are my example
2 people found this helpful
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Argincourt
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Biography
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2013
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I've read many biography's but this book written by Richard Harwell stands alone in my opinion. It is riveting reading encompassing everything for every one whether it be of general historical interest or it be for military enthusiasts giving detailed action between the North Virginia Army and the Union Federal Forces for duration of the Civil war.

Reading this book I now have a definitive understanding of Robert E. Lee, now knowing why this man is still revered to this day in America. He was a highly intelligent, principled and religious man who embraced his life fully from start to finish. He epitomised what he felt was right as a leader of men, as a husband and father and as President of Washington College in its early development to what this institution has become today. In short he was an amazing man.

This book is highly recommended, a milestone that will draw many readers to its pages for its historical content.

Cheers.
12 people found this helpful
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Lewis F. Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars One Volume Classic - Still the Best
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2020
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Well written. Thoughtful. Analytical. Southern approach but fair. Incredibly interesting life and times. Very enjoyable read about a great American General. Military leadership lessons. Those inclined to understand our country and the Civil War which echoes thru today need to read the best books about Lee, Grant, Lincoln, Stone Wall Jackson, Tecumseh Sherman etc. This is one of the best about Lee.
6 people found this helpful
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Francisco Lozano
5.0 out of 5 stars Life-changing book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2014
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I had to read this for my college history class. I chose it out of a long list given to us by the professor because I've always had an interest in the Civil War. That was the best decision I made all semester. This really was a life changing book. It taught me the truths and lessons that all young men of character must come to know. "Teach him that he must deny himself." These words of Gen. Lee are the key of the man and of this book. The theme of sacrifice is the heart of the book. This is what made him the great man that he was and if you, dear wandering soul dying of thirst in a mediocre world, come and drink from the fount of wisdom and virtue then you too can master yourself and start on the path to excellence. The Hungarian Catholic Bishop Tihamer Toth said it best in his book, "The Young Man of Character": 'Few men are born to be conquerors. Few men are born to be leaders of countries. But to conquer the realm of the soul, and to gain the crown of manly character, this lofty task awaits each one of us.' This lofty task does truly await us, and this book will help you get there.
17 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars it is a biography
Reviewed in Canada on May 1, 2023
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well written and very knowledgeable
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Roby D.
3.0 out of 5 stars Buon riassunto
Reviewed in Italy on January 30, 2023
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La monumentale biografia del gen. Lee scritta dal sempre piacevole D.S. Freeman viene qui riassunta, abilmente direi, da Richard Harwell.
Purtroppo il libro è afflitto da scarsità di mappe , il che costringe il lettore a far ricorso ad altri testi (o alla propria memoria, che però può essere fallace - almeno nel mio caso) per seguire gli spostamenti degli eserciti.
Purtroppo il buon D.S. Freeman è un pò troppo di parte, il gen. Lee viene piazzato su un altare, santificato dall'autore senza che vi sia mai una valutazione men che positiva del suo agire e questo modo di scrivere una biografia risulta piuttosto datato.
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Alec
5.0 out of 5 stars Won Christmas with this book
Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2021
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Gift for a family member. They loved the book for its authoritative account and excellent details. Arrived quickly and in excellent condition.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Second book
Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2020
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Second book I have picked up General Robert E. Lee and found a lot of similar information which is to be expected I guess, but none the less I still found this book worth the read.
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Mark B. F.
2.0 out of 5 stars Inaccurate details of battles
Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2021
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This is a lovely work of “fiction” by the son of a former CSA officer who grew up idolizing Lee and the old South. The book presents Lee as a god-like vision, perfect, incapable of error. Any shortcomings are ascribed to others. After all, the god-like Lee must rely on mere men to carry out his orders. The description of. The battle of Gettysburg is filled with inaccuracies and incorrect information, and subscribes to the now disproven notion that Longstreet was the cause of the Confederate loss.

If you are looking for a factual account of RE Lee and the civil war, DO NOT read this book. If, however, you are well acquainted with the battles and wish to see how they were described by those who worshipped Lee, then this book provides insight into that story.
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