Who Was Robert E. Lee?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Bonnie Bader

Robert E. Lee seemed destined for greatness. His father was a Revolutionary War hero and at West Point he graduated second in his class! In 1861, when the Southern states seceded from the Union, Lee was offered the opportunity to command the Union forces. However, even though he was against the war, his loyalty to his home state of Virginia wouldn’t let him fight for the North. Despite the South’s ultimate defeat, General Robert E. Lee remains one of the United States’ true military heroes.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Civil War, Biography Memoir, American History

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2014

About the author

Bonnie Bader lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The myth continues. This book continues to portray Lee as a hero. He was in fact a traitor. He signed an oath at West Point and when inducted into the army that he would not take up arms against the United States. He proceeded to break that oath in order to protect slavery. He owned many slaves and inherited slaves from his father-in-law. His father-in-law's will required Lee to free the inherited slaves within 5 years. Robert E Lee went to court to have this provision overturned to no avail. I'm not sure I think it is a great idea to promote this hero mythology concerning Lee to children. This is a very popular series and it is a disservice to all to include this horrible man.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great brief history of Robert E. Lee. Would be good for introducing your kids to the Civil War.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Son of a Revolutionary War hero, Robert E. Lee was destined for great things as detailed in Who Was Robert E. Lee? by Bonnie Bader. He attended West Point and graduated at the top of his class and fought in the Mexican-American War alongside many of his fellow West Point graduates, many of whom would be on both sides during the American Civil War. When the south seceded from the union he was asked by Lincoln to take command of the Union forces. But he felt he had to stay loyal to his home state of Virginia and so he resigned from the Union Army and returned to Virginia where he was assigned to take charge of the Confederate army defending Richmond, VA. He was known as a brilliant strategist but also had some disappointing failures. The author presents a great collection of facts and information about arguably the best General on either side of the Civil War. Well written and very informative about a major figure in America's history.

[Rhett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book and how detailed it was. It was a little boring at first then got detailed. It didn't just focus just on the Civil War. His family was also in it. I recommend for ages 7 to 12. I give it a 4.5 out of 5. It is very short but a lot of good facts in such a short book

[Yoshinobu Yamakawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a biography of Robert E. Lee, Commander in Chief of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Lee was a very influential figure in American history and influenced many people throughout his life.

The theme of this book is “The Conflict Between Loyalty and Choice ”. The reason for this is that Lee had the opportunity to command the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War, but made the difficult decision to join the Confederate Army out of loyalty to his home state of Virginia. This choice profoundly shaped Lee's life and influenced future assessments. His choice was based on a deep love for his family and hometown, not just a military decision.

Reading it, I realized how difficult it is to simply judge historical figures for good or evil. Despite his military prowess and pedigree, Lee made a choice that was criticized from a modern perspective at the turning point of the Civil War. But the values behind his decision, such as loyalty and honor, were important to society at the time. His actions were deeply rooted in the ethics and social values of his time, and it would be difficult to evaluate them from a modern perspective.

Through the life of Robert E. Lee, an important figure in American history, this book helps us understand the transformation of American society before and after the Civil War. It also makes us think about the relationship between personal choices and the course of history. It is recommended for readers interested in history as well as those interested in leadership and decision-making dilemmas.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for elementary children, but it is also very useful for adults who want to be reminded of the main facts pertaining to Robert E. Lee.

Robert E Lee came from a great legacy of Lee’s. His own father was Light Horse Harry, who fought alongside George Washington. Two of Lee’s cousins were signers of the Declaration of Independence.

The book gives a good summary of Lee’s childhood and personal life as husband to Ann Custis, great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. They had 6 children.

He fought in the Mexican War under his friend and commander Major General Winfield Scott. Lee proved to be a good soldier.

In 1861, Lee was asked to lead the Union Army against the south, which included his beloved home state of Virginia. As a man of honor, Lee decided to stand with Virginia. The book summarizes the major victories and defeats of the war, then describes the morning of the surrender at Appomattox Court House. Even in defeat, he was a respected man.

Lee suffered many losses because of the Civil War. He even was charged with treason and lost his U.S. citizenship. (In recent years that has been rectified)

He was offered the presidency of Washington College in Lexington, VA, which had just four teachers and forty students at that time. In one year, there were 400 students. Later the name of the college was changed to Washington and Lee University.

He died at home October 12, 1870

[Victoria B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read - I learned a lot of new info about Lee, including his difficulty in choosing sides, that he was charged with treason (and the charges were dropped thanks to General Grant), and that he lost/did not regain his citizenship before he died.

Most interesting quote from Lee (from a letter to his sister): "With all my devotion to the Union and the feelings of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home."

Most interesting quote from the book (about Lee & his future wife): "Robert enjoyed Mary's company. She was not pretty and did not dress well, but she was charming, smart, and interesting to be around...Like his father, Robert was about to marry into a very rich and important family."

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another children's biography that gave a great summary of a true American hero. I didn't know very much about Robert E. Lee before reading this book. I'd heard he didn't want to be the leader of the Confederate Army, but I didn't realize how much he was opposed to the separation of the union. I also found his early life fascinating.

[Esther May · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read along side of the Who was Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln books. They all gave a different perspective from the Civil War. I am still really liking the Who was series. It gives a great overview of so many topics. Robert E. Lee was such an interesting man, a man of great courage and loyalty. He chose the wrong side during the civil war.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, short review of the life of Robert E. Lee. These books have been a hit with students. I did not know much about R.E. Lee and this was an easy way to get an overview of his part in history and the Civil War.

[William Brynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would give it 0 if I could. Complete and utter Historically Revisionist Bullshit. Don’t use this to introduce children to the civil war, it barely gets basic facts correct, much less the complexities of the causes and effects of the Confederates on the history of the US.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert E. Lee was a very busy military man. He started his career in West Point and eventually became headmaster. This book tells of his life and many adventures he had. It is a good starting point for someone who would like to learn about his military career as well as his life.

[Lady Washizu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really just pick and choose which of these YA Who HQ books I read and then expand on them with adult books. This are just quick ‘pick your teeth’ books for me. However, I admit that most of these have been quite informative. I lived in Virginia for 4 years and admit that I became quite interested in the history of the Old South/Reconstruction. (Later on I moved further south to Texas!!, not by choice) Anywho, this one kind of left me with more questions than answers. Who HQ has never shied away from non YA friendly topics like the words ‘’killing’’ or ‘’abused’’ or ‘’slavery’’ that a lot of Gen Z and Gen Alpha tend to bleep or re-word in videos because they are to sensitive , but I found this one not only didn’t tell any real truth about Lee, it really just kind of glorified him yet left more to the imagination. I get why he’d be considered a hero to people IN the South, who hold those ‘’Old Southern Values’’ but let’s be realistic, regardless of his personal beliefs, Lee was a smart man, a military man who knew how to handle a cavalry, but he was no hero, by any standard, racist or not.

Take this one with a grain of salt. Gets 3 stars because the last star is for me.

Do your research.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, informative book from a series I bought for our kids. I decided to read it on vacation as we stopped at several Civil War sites.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. I learned a lot about a man that I knew very little about and was very surprised.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know all this stuff about him. It makes him seem more human even though he was still on the wrong side of the Civil War.

[Linda G Crum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice synopsis of a great man's life.

Good job of highlighting Robert Lee's life, family and wartime heroics! Leaves you wanting more of the historical events of those times.

[alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

[Sadie Cheshier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cool to learn about!
Interesting that President Lincoln asked him to serve for the Union, but he decided to lead the South!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert was a leader. Loved the story!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned some new information about Robert E. Lee than I already new.

[Cathy Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with my son for a report, very interesting.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read-aloud with kids, Oct. '21.

Good info given on the life of Robert E. Lee.

[Jack Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book interesting topic.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in preparation for a family trip to Washington DC.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good biography of Robert E. Lee. I like the level of detail considering it's a juvenile non-fiction book.

[Adam N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Robert e. Lee he was awesome I also like he reign about the civil war and the battles. This book was good in detail about him it talked a lot about who he new and loved it also didn't center just on him it talked also about the generals who died and the people writing letters to him to join the confederacy. There was a lot of good facts about him like he lived in the Union for a short amount of time but he left for Virginia which was where he was born to join the confederacy. When he grew up him mother was sick so he had to take care of her shortly after he went to the military at West Point academy he graduated 4 years later. So good parts in the book were when he got the cold which was deadly at the time and one of his best generals died and he still had to go to war he asked for someone to replace lee but they said No. After reading this I thought how bad it had to be in the civil war say good bye to your loved ones for a few years and see a lot of people die. This was my favorite who was book so far and it was very sad.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Was Robert E. Lee, By: Bonnie Bader
This book was about how Lee was a student at West Point military school. He was even one of the best students there. Lee father was A revolutionary war hero and also signed the Declaration of Independence. Lee far against what his father had created. Even though he was a general for a large army he always hated war. On April 6, 1865 Lee meets with general Ulysses S Grant and surrenders.

I personally love this book because I have always been interested in the Civil War.And to read about the Confederate Army General Robert E Lee is pretty cool. I also like how the book is almost like a timeline for Lee.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is lying to learn about the Civil War or wine tour about Robert E Lee in particular. This book is a good book for grades six through eighth. I hope if you get to read this book you get to enjoy as much as I did!

[Davidramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learn so much about robert e lee

[Patrick Kappler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who was Robert E. Lee,by Bonnie Bader.In the start of the book they hit you with a important fact,Robert E. Lee's dad was a troop in the revolutionary war and was very close with George Washington.After that they keep giving facts like when he was born and when he died and especially that Robert E.Lee was the general in the civil war for the confederate's(The souths name in the civil war).

I liked this book because it gives good and helpful information about the civil war and especially if a test is coming up about the civil war(Not saying mine is or anything).


I recommend this book to kids around my age(12)Because there are some tough words and some violence that kids under 10 are not ready for,some might but they probably aren't mature enough yet.