General Lee: A Biography of Robert E. Lee

by Fitzhugh Lee

Fitz Lee wrote several works about the Civil War that, along with other generals like Jubal Early, helped form the basis for the Lost Cause and helped create the reputation of reverence for Robert E. Lee that is still widely held today. In addition to deifying Robert E. Lee, Fitz Lee, Early, and other authors like them often clashed with former Confederate comrades like James Longstreet, who either were not Virginian or had been critical of Robert E. Lee themselves. Debates between the men persisted into the 20th century, and they’re partially responsible for memoirs like James Longstreet’s From Manassas to Appomattox.

In General Lee, Fitzhugh Lee covers his uncle’s life and career before and after the Civil War, but not surprisingly the most interesting part of the book deals with the war itself. Readers will quickly understand that Fitzhugh Lee holds his uncle above reproach, casting blame elsewhere for battles like Gettysburg. It is still a valuable resource today for understanding the Lost Cause mentality, and the manner in which hero worship of General Lee developed.

In this edition, Charles River Editors has included over two dozen images and maps, as well as original commentary discussing the arguments between Fitzhugh Lee and James Longstreet, and commentary on some of the controversial fighting at battles like Gettysburg and the Overland Campaign. Includes a Table of Contents.

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

489 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1894

About the author

Fitzhugh Lee (1835 - 1905) was a Confederate cavalry general in the American Civil War, the 40th Governor of Virginia, diplomat, and United States Army general in the Spanish–American War. He was the son of Sydney Smith Lee, a captain in the Confederate States Navy, and the nephew of General Robert E. Lee.
 

Reviews

[Gerry Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Lee's nephew, Fitzhugh Lee who fought in many battles with his famous uncle. A great work chronicling the life of Robert E. Lee. Recommended reading for those interested in the "old south", General Robert E. Lee, the Civil War and life in the early 19th century.
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[Peter F Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Story

Buy this book for some high schooler and spark a passion for History. Recommended for middle school, high school, even college. The contents is college level but the writing level is clear and simple.

Classic story of a true American hero; truth, justice, and the American way. I wish there were books like this when I went to high school.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert E. Lee's nephew writes a brilliant biography with keen insights not only on his uncle's personal life, but his military life and tactics as well, as Fitzhugh Lee served himself as a Major General in both the Confederate and later United States Army.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read but can be difficult to follow

I liked the book but following the battles if not in a good memory of which officers fought on which side it can slow the reading. The best part of the book wad the closing days of the war and hos service and contributions during those last five years of his life.

Lee was a brilliant and honest man with great integrity. He know slavery had been a mistake but was compelled to fight for the sovereignty of the Commonwealth as he saw that it had been intended by the founding fathers.

[Michael A. Simmons, Sr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best bio of Lee

Written by his nephew Fitzhugh Lee, this book brings a human dimension to a great General. A must read for modern armchair historians who think that Lee should have been tried for treason after the War of Northern Aggression. A successful US Army officer who after much introspection and anguish chose to place his allegiance with his home state of Virginia. The Lee family has a long history of service to their country both before and after the tragic war between our countrymen.

[Donald · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am disappointed with this book. It is less a biography and more a rambling of events during the civil war. I was hoping Fitzhugh Lee would have focused entirely on Lee the man as he is directly related to him. There are some good insights early on into his personnel life, chapter I, but it then. Immediately goes into the war. I did enjoy reading chapters II and III which describes West Point and Lee’s academic success. However, I would have liked to learn a lot more about his family and early life not just another Civil War book.

[Linda R. Brewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who would like to know more about the man, rather than detailed battle details, I would suggest you read Lee, The Last Five Years which, I think, will give you more insight into his character as a soldier and a human being. I skipped through a lot of the details of the battles due to no knowledge of the topography of the state of Virginia. I finished the book, and felt like I did learn some new things from it, but definitely agree with others who wanted more knowledge of Lee, the man.

[Jenna Golik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow moving book.detail oriented . many interesting tidbits you do not readin history.

General Lee was such a religious person and a family person.. After reading this book , I can not understand why they took his statue down .

[Don Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert E Lee

Although not from the South, but living there now, I chose to read this book as a history of troubled times in our country. The writing is extensive and thorough, and while written years long remains valued for generations yet to come. K8

[Public Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do love reading Civil War history, but this verges on hagiography. Written by Lee's nephew, Fitzhugh Lee never misses an opportunity to build up what Shelby Foote once described as the "marble man." Sad to say I didn't finish reading the entire book.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

This is a good book, it could have used less technical military maneuvers explanations since it was supposed to be biography of the man himself. But it does not take away from who the man was himself.

[James L. Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

It was a great book to read about a great man Robert E Lee. The best leader during the civil war

[bobby francis]

Honour

I admire one who fights for what he believes, buts knows when the fight is over there is no shame in a battle well fought against overwhelming odds.

[Joseph Rondeau]

Excellent especially the early part of his life.

[Mark Bonamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Outstanding narrative of robert e lees life and of the united states civil war east of the western portion of the united states

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting post mortem (literally) by Fitzhugh Lee, a nephew of R.E., since Lee died just 5 years after the war and probably never would have written down his thoughts anyway. Interesting because it is a "period" piece, with content intended to put the family, the state of Virginia, slavery, the motivations for the South in the war, etc., in a rational light to show their virtue. For example, slavery was OK because they were civilizing the Africans and bringing them into Christianity, which the author explains as a long process that could take millienia to do correctly, which is compares to Christ's legacy with the church, i.e., he died 2000 years ago and yet "Christianizing" the world is still a work in progress 2000 years later.

Proof that we need to be vigilant about examining our own cultural beliefs at all times!

[Brad Veach · Rating 5 out of 5]

General Lee was a truly remarkable man, made most manifest in his humility and unsurpassed diligence in attending to the needs of others. This man had a firm foundation and he accepted Gods will regardless of the outcome and only sought to do his duty. If you want to learn more about one of America's finest men, read this book. On another note, this is a wonderful book for any civil war history buff to come in contact with loads of first hand accounts from both General Lee and the author himself.

[Jenalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not the biography I was hoping for of Robert E. Lee. Written by his nephew, it is a step by step recounting of the Civil War and extremely interesting nevertheless. I recommend highlighters, lists of the Confederate and Union Generals, and Google to make sense of all of the military officers of the war. The reader must forgive the author of his relentless adulation of the General. I would like to read the Union's version of the battles.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

my copy is actually a 1961 copyright version.

[Rachel]

Written by a family member. Good book.

[Richard Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

The author General Fitzhugh Lee goes into detail on every battle of the war and gives great insight into what Lee was thinking about during those times.