The Life of Stonewall Jackson: Library Edition

by Mary Lynn Williamson, Lloyd James (Narrator)

In this brief sketch of our great Southern hero, I have endeavored to portray, amid the blaze of his matchless military genius, the unchanging rectitude of his conduct, the stern will-power by which he conquered all difficulties, his firm belief in an overruling Providence, and his entire submission to the Divine Will. These traits of character were the cornerstones upon which he reared the edifice of his greatness, and upon which the young people of our day will do well to build.—Mary L. Williamson, 1898

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

Audio

First published January 1, 1899

Reviews

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Familiar with Jackson as the gifted strategist and general of the Confederacy I was not as familiar with his character, which earned him the respect of his men, his foes, and his nation. Stonewall Jackson was truly a self ruled man. Jackson faced many hardships in his childhood years, including both his father and mother dying and being sent to an abusive uncle from a family that did not want him. These difficulties shaped him into a principled and disciplined man. He held fast to integrity, diligence, and devotion to duty to succeed in life. After being brought to submission to Christ by the grace of God, he developed a prayer life where he would pause and thank God for the Living Water whenever he would take a drink of water. His faith and assurance in Christ allowed him to face down the foe with complete peace and clarity of mind. Jackson lead by example. Because of this his men followed him to hell and back. This man's example of integrity, courage, prayer, diligence, fortitude, and self-mastery stand as a testimony and example to you ger generations of men.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of his life was fascinating from the perspective of a modern reader- he struggled at this, he struggled at that, finally found something he was really good at, and excelled. Many histories speak of their subjects as if fore-ordained to greatness. Not this one. It recognized that the greatness was the result of the earlier struggle, not inspite of it.

The presentation was also very informative of the perception of people at the time the book was written- the author was not afraid to take sides (in this case "for"- often referring to Jackson as "our hero" and mentioning how "gallant" or "brave" noteworthy officers were when they eventually met their respective demises), the author provides some of the reasoning the South had for fighting (remarking that slavery was, at best, only tangentially related to why the South was fighting), and other pieces of information that now may seem dated or out of fashion. But I found those remarks very helpful and honest- I knew which way the piece was slanted and could take that into account.

[Schoppie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author unashamedly pushes Lost Cause mythology. Every failure or mistake Jackson ever made is either whitewashed or not even mentioned and every success is due only to him - "our hero" as the author repeatedly refers to the general. For example, this author describes the Seven Days Battles as though they were Confederate victories because of Jackson and never once mentions that Jackson was always late getting into position, seldom attacked when ordered (and sometimes didn't attack at all when ordered), and could often not even be found by his fellow generals. McClellan's army was defeated in spite of Jackson rather than because of him! While his Valley Campaign, Second Manassas, and Chancellorsville performances were masterful, his Fredericksburg leadership was only adequate and Jackson's Seven Days performance was abysmal. She makes Jackson into a genius at Cedar Mountain when he actually nearly lost! None of Jackson's eccentricities are mentioned. I admire Jackson's accomplishments and his faith, but a real biography should show the life of the person "warts and all." Williamson's uncritical hero worship doesn't square with the full factual accounts of the historical Jackson. Everyone has bias, but this author's work reads more like propaganda. Jackson doesn't have to be perfect to be a great general, and this book does a disservice to the subject and to those who take the time to read it.

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book makes excuses for slavery and refers to Jackson throughout as "our hero."

[Shelly Dabbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this was a book about Stonewall Jackson but it was written from the southern point of view. The battles would have had to come from the stories of the battlefields. His life in the beginning was a hard life but he rose above it all & became a powerful man.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's strange reading an account from the perspective of a southerner who obviously holds the confederacy in high regard. Full of information and definitely a different perspective

[Jeremy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like reading cliff notes that don’t know they are cliff notes.

[Max Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

For sure the author was a southern sympathizer. The book is over 125 years old. That may explain her continued loyalty to the men in gray.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about the courageous Stonewall Jackson would be more enjoyable to read than most history texts. It gives readers an overview of his life and includes information about his morals and his devotion to God.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful as a children's level biography of Jackson. The downside of this book is the writing style.

[Clayton McCurdy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great man and a great story, but the book was poorly written.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it a lot. Helps that Mr. Jackson is a hero of mine. :o)

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeesh.