Douglas Southall Freeman

by David E. Johnson

Douglas Southall Freeman (1886-1953) remains one of the greatest historians of the Civil War. His monumental biographies, including Lee's Lieutenants and the Pulitzer Prize-winning R. E. Lee, combined intellectual fervor with meticulous research and a graceful prose style. He received a second, posthumous Pulitzer Prize for his six-volume study of George Washington, still the definitive work on the first president. Freeman's literary accomplishments are all the more remarkable considering that he was also editor of the Richmond News Leader from 1915 to 1949 and made twice-daily radio news broadcasts. Freeman's influence was not confined to Virginia or the South, nor was his expertise limited to the Civil War. During World War I, Pres. Woodrow Wilson read Freeman's daily reports about the conflict in Europe. Freeman also acted as friend and advisor to world leaders like Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower. Until now, no biography of this important figure has existed. With Douglas Southall Freeman, first-time author David E. Johnson brings the man and his achievements to light.

Genres: Biography

476 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Political Scientist
Rtd. Colonel, U.S. Army

Reviews

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnson, a lawyer by training, wrote this book with the enthusiastic support of Freeman’s eldest daughter; and although it’s not a hagiography, Johnson is clearly sympathetic to the Pulitzer-prizewinning biographer of Robert E. Lee and George Washington. Johnson has done a fine job of research, and his writing is, at its worst, workmanlike.

Nevertheless, the author might have quickened the pace with no loss of understanding if he had cut many of the quotations and reduced the book’s length by say, a fourth. Freeman’s workaholic writing habits are both astonishing and a bit scary, but his political positions, overseas trips, and friendships with important people are fairly humdrum, and do not require the space that Johnson has given them.

One aspect of Freeman’s life might have been more deeply explored: his religion. There is a seeming conflict between the devout Baptist and long-time Sunday school teacher, one who maintained a personal chapel, and the man who confessed near the life of his life that he did not believe in immortality. (337)

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lively personality of Douglas Southall Freeman jumps off the page in Johnson's biography. It is apparent that Johnson is sympathetic to Freeman, but he does mention many of Freeman's flaws (a bit of an absent father, etc.). Johnson also labors on some points for much too long; 50-75 pages of the book could have been cut without losing much. Overall, though, the book accurately portrays the life of a wonderful man and a great historian.

[Michael Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about how he started. The latter half was a bit boring but this is still a good book to read.

[Winston Elliott III · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent telling of the life of Douglas Southall Freeman. Dr. Freeman was a southern gentleman of great achievement and character who contributed significantly to our understanding of Robert E. Lee and George Washington. Freeman ranks, with Dumas Malone, as a superlative historian of American history and Southern tradition. Mr. Johnson serves us well by offering the opportunity to see Dr. Freeman's dedication to the highest level of scholarship and civic duty.

[Chuck Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book- a biography about a biographer. Freeman's life has much to teach us. Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for your terrific work. It has motivated me in many ways to do better scholarship and to embrace the "simplicity and spirituality" Lee had... and Freeman as well.

Of course, faith in Christ alone is central to both men's lives.