Stonewall Jackson's Book of Maxims

by James I. Robertson Jr.

Thomas J. Jackson never sought fame, but he could not escape its light when opportunity came. Jackson was very much a man of his time, and he was not alone in this quest for personal development, but he was an earnest man with an iron resolve. Such personal discipline served him particularly well during the war that divided North and South. Although he was fatally wounded by friend fire on May 2, 1863, Jackson has continued to live in the national memory and to fascinate Americans with his remarkable achievements against incredible odds. His sobriquet "Stonewall" remains the most famous nickname in American military history.

The manner in which Jackson lived his life was heavily influenced by the popular writings of Lord Chesterfield, whose published letters to his son on self-improvement were well known in polite society. No single work - save the Bible - more influenced Jackson in his personal evolution. While he was a cadet at West Point, he began collecting maxims as part of his quest for status as a gentleman. In the mid-1850s he carefully inscribed these maxims in a personal notebook, which disappeared after his death in 1863. Subsequent generations assumed that this notebook was a casualty of time, but in the 1990s, during his research for a biography of Jackson, James I. Robertson Jr. discovered the long-lost book of maxims in the archives of Tulane University.

Jackson's maxims are reproduced here as he wrote them. Accompanying each are insights into the man. Stonewall Jackson's Book of Maxims These timeless insights offer as much to individuals today as they did when Jackson strove to integrate them into his life.

Genres: History, Civil War, Biography, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, American History, Religion

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1853

About the author

James I. Robertson Jr. is an Alumni Distinguished Professor of History at Virginia Tech. He published the definitive adult biography of Stonewall Jackson, Stonewall Jackson: The Man, the Soldier, the Legend, and also wrote Standing Like a Stone Wall for young adults. He lives in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Reviews

[Hal Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

"'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' was a household adage in nineteenth-century America. It may have originated in one of Aristotle's thoughts…" (p36).

I hope it's clear to everyone that the Golden Rule did not originate in Aristotle's thought. I wanted to start by making that clear.

So apparently General Stonewall Jackson once wrote down some cliches. This is not in itself a damning or embarrassing act: Cliches are only bad if you're a poet! Cliches may help you get through life, may give you good advice in difficult times. If there was not an element of truth in them, they would not be cliches ("which is itself a cliche" –Mike Leigh). I could see why Jackson's notebook of the cliches he collected would be of interest to historians, and furthermore they often provide good advice. "Avoid triumphing over an antagonist." "Sacrifice your life rather than your word."

In this volume, though, these cliches are parodically treated as holy writ, to be examined from every side by all the apparatus of hermeneutic theory. Editor (and erstwhile Jackson biographer) James Robinson explains ways that Stonewall might have applied the various cliches to his life (I guess a reasonable thing for a biographer to do); looks for the possible origins and sources of the cliches (in a scattershot fashion, which leads to absurdities such as attributing Matthew 7:12 to Aristotle, above); and looks for parallel assertions from the great poets and essayists (which Robinson pretty much admits he just gleaned from a copy of Bartlett's). The attention paid to these bland, common-sense assertions is so out of proportion to the merits of the text that the end result is absurd.

It's possible the book really is a very dry parody. The non-sequitur quotations from Emerson and Rousseau; the full page praising Jackson's "chastity"; the inexplicable misattribution of the single most famous piece of advice in the Western Canon (above)—these are all pretty funny, and exactly what I might expect from a put-on joke book about Jackson and his maxims. Also, the hagiographic praise for Stonewall Jackson, "a role model for any age" (p91, but also passim, I assure you) is absurdly over-the-top. I'm willing to believe that Jackson was honest, brave, and competent as he struggled to ensure that humans would continue to be owned as property.

I am aware that my self-righteous Union sympathies are showing. Many people I admire from the past—Alexander the Great, Cromwell, Macaulay—disagreed with both me and the "modern world" in general on key issues. They are all bad role models as well as being good role models, and I shouldn't need someone, while eulogizing Genghis Khan's vigor and skill, to keep reminding me, "also he did a lot of bad things." It's charming that Robinson thinks so highly of this general, even if he fought for an evil cause.

But I can't help but suspect that this book is actually designed to be purchased and owned an easy way to signal a demographic, a demographic not sympathetic to my Union sympathies. "Evil cause," "did a lot of bad things," and "bad role model as well" are not phrases the book supports attributing to Jackson. The book is downright nostalgic! "Writers of every generation since [Jackson's death] have asserted that had he lived, the Confederate States of America might have triumphed" (p9) it claims, with little regard for the actual likelihood of the assertion, but with noticeably dewy eyes. Readers are supposed to interpret that as "we might have triumphed," aren't they?

I don't mean to be too hard on Jackson, whose loyalty to his state (and not his country, which is weird but a timepiece, I am aware) is what brought him into the war, or on Robinson, who produced a weird book but may have done it sincerely and with love for his biographical subject. I just can't get over how weird this book is. This book is weird. Jackson's maxims so-called would make more sense embroidered on a throw pillow than analyzed in a book. And a throw pillow is a better signal, because your couch is more obvious than your bookshelf.

[Cordell Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Jackson - an iron resolve - a man of personal discipline - a "stonewall" in battle. A good little book that gives further insight into the man the South could not afford to lose.

[Rachel Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found these maxims extremely inspiring, and they are consistently referred to in my day to day life now. The main categories under which the maxims are placed, according to Jackson, are Choice of Friends, Rules of Conversation, Guides for Good Behavior, Motives to Action, Politeness and Good Breeding, and Objects to Be Affected by Ellie's Death.

My personal favorite maxim falls under the Guides for Good Behavior. It states: "Disregard public opinion when it interfears with your duty." And yes, Jackson misspelled "interfears!" It is my favorite not only because of the misspell but because of the truth it holds.

It does not contain any military strategies or maxims, so if you are searching for some of Jackson's military wisdom, this is not what you want! However, if you want to get to know the man and the principles that he valued and held himself to, these maxims perfectly demonstrate just that. I love it!

[Jason Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been living in Virginia for a little over two years now, and the Manassas Battlefield is relatively close to my house. I've seen the statue of Stonewall there a few times, and have visited his home and grave in Lexington. I say this to emphasize that what I thought I knew about Thomas Jackson prior to living here is being replaced by a more nuanced view.

This book provides the reader with a look into the things that were important to Jackson through his book of maxims. I also enjoyed the commentary provided by Robertson that gave some context to the maxims (possible sources of motivations, first-hand accounts of how Jackson adhered to them) and found this book helpful in getting to know more about this historical figure.

For anyone who hasn't been to the Stonewall house, I highly recommend it. The guides there are very knowledgeable and will give you a different perspective on the life of a very important military mind.

[Nathan Hardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's strange to read a book on good behavior from an owner of slaves and a man who fought for his state (and in his belief, his God) above the nation or the cause of ending slavery. It seems Jackson saw slavery as part of God's plan - something I disagree with. Many of his maxims are good although not really unique. However, as they are phrased and set in the 19th century, it is an interesting exercise to try to apply them to modern times.

The dichotomy of a man who claims his greatest goals in life as to love God and serve Him, who was tirelessly employed in self-improvement, and who fiercely emphasized character, honesty, and decency, yet owned slaves and fought against their freedom is troubling.

As a Christian, it forces me to stop and search my heart for what ungodly, indecent, and unmerciful activity I may be participating in or condoning.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. I became a fan of Stonewall Jackson's a few years ago. I really liked the brief snippet of a biography at the beginning and the explanation of how his maxims were evident in his life. There are definitely parts of his life I can relate with. He seems like he was such a good person. I look forward to reading his biography.

[Rebekah Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson is one of my favorite people to read about during the Civil War. This book is a small way to get to know him personally.

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got more from this book than I thought I would. I am not religious but most of the maxims are good ways to live a life but I liked viewing them through a nineteenth century lens.

[Andrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a loan from a friend. I was excited to read it because of the author and I was hoping to find some interesting references to his TTPs in battle and the way he lived his life. However, it is instead chock full of 19th century tips on how to be a gentleman. I have nothing against manners, but its super boring and doesn't really apply to today's culture. He may be a cultural icon and a military genius but he was a bore....boo-yah.

[Captain Curmudgeon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stonewall cribbed tons of it from Benjamin Franklin (not sure the editor was aware of that -- at least he doesn't mention it). I'm sure Franklin didn't think he was being particularly original and everyone has cribbed from him since.

The is no new self-help advice; there are only new self-help
books. Maybe only new self-help book covers.

[Mark Lacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I had wanted something that would help me understand better what I thought I had heard about Jackson's faith. But this didn't get at that. And what was there was not interesting or useful.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd recommend this book for anyone and everyone, not just Stonewall fans, Civil War buffs, or men. It's an incredible peek into the personal moral/manners guide for one of the greatest minds the world has ever seen. A must-read.

[Jferrara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Jackson's Maxims. He had a very disciplined life and it shows. More people should have such values and dedication to always achieving self perfection.

[Pamela Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers who apply the maxims Jackson lived by will be challenged in light of their own character in comparison.

[Michael Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick, and easy to read. helpful, simple, unpretentious. I would recommend this to teenagers of both sexes.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting glimpse at the man and what was important to him.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting part of Jackson and the influences on his life.