General James Longstreet - by Jeffry D Wert (Paperback)

About the Book

An outstanding battlefield commander, James Longstreet was called "my old war horse" by Robert E. Lee. But Longstreet's role at Gettysburg sullied his reputation forever. Wert uses unpublished memoirs and diaries to restore a balanced view of the career of one of America's great soldiers. 16-page photo insert.

Book Synopsis

General James Longstreet fought in nearly every campaign of the Civil War, from Manassas (the first battle of Bull Run) to Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chickamauga, Gettysburg, and was present at the surrender at Appomattox. Yet, he was largely held to blame for the Confederacy's defeat at Gettysburg. General James Longstreet sheds new light on the controversial commander and the man Robert E. Lee called "my old war horse."

Review Quotes

Alan T. Nolan author of Lee Considered: General Robert E. Lee and Civil War History Jeffry D. Wert gives us a historian's view of the general....[An] excellent addition to Civil War literature.

Albert Castel author of Decision in the West: The Atlanta Campaign of 1864 By far the best biography yet to be written of Lee's "old war horse."

Edward Colimore The Philadelphia Inquirer The best biography to date on this controversial soldier's life: thoroughly researched, fair and totally convincing.

Gary Anderson The Washington Times A "must read" for Civil War buffs.

John Eisenhower The New York Times Book Review For those who cut their teeth on such historians as Douglas Southall Freeman and Bruce Catton, General James Longstreet provides insights and viewpoints well worth the time and effort to read it.

John J. Hennessy author of Return to Bull Run This provocative, well-written study should stand in the front rank of Confederate military biography.

Lynwood Abram Houston Chronicle A solid and richly detailed piece of military history. It casts strong light on a talented, complex and fascinating figure.

Stephen B. Oates author of Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths A brilliant, provocative, riveting life, so much so that I found it impossible to put down. If I had to recommend just one biography of a Confederate military figure, this would be it.

About the Author

Jeffry D. Wert is the author of eight previous books on Civil War topics, most recently Cavalryman of the Lost Cause and The Sword of Lincoln. His articles and essays on the Civil War have appeared in many publications, including Civil War Times Illustrated, American History Illustrated, and Blue and Gray. A former history teacher at Penns Valley High School, he lives in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, slightly more than one hour from the battlefield at Gettysburg.