Death of a Nation: The Story of Lee and His Men at Gettysburg

by Clifford Dowdey

This sweeping account recreates one of the most important battles in U.S. history.

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

383 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Clifford Dowdey was born in Richmond, Virginia January 23, 1904 and died there May 30, 1979. The Richmond Newspapers, the Richmond Times Dispatch and the Richmond News Leader eulogized him as The Last Confederate. His father was descended from immigrants surnamed O'Dowda of County Galway, Ireland, and his mother from an English settler of Jamestown. His father worked for Western Union and his mother was a housewife. Four of his grandmother’s brothers were Confederate soldiers. His grandmother lived with his family until she died when Dowdey was age 19. Her reminiscences spurred his lifelong interest in the American Civil War and the history of Virginia.[1]

He attended Columbia University from 1921-1925. He worked for about a year as a newspaper reporter and book reviewer for the Richmond News Leader. He returned to New York City and worked as an editor for various pulp magazines (Munsey’s, Argosy and Dell) from 1926 to around 1935. About 1933 he started writing seriously on what eventually would become his first novel "Bugles Blow No More.” Leaving the magazines, he and his wife moved to Florida for a season and then to Richmond, Virginia where he finished the novel. For the rest of his life, he lived in Richmond and worked as a writer of historical fiction and history. He reviewed others' historical works in academic journals, such as "The Journal of Southern History" and " The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography." Even though he had no formal training as an historian several of his works received critical acclaim by noted historians. His historical novels were popular as evidenced by their being reviewed in "The New York Times."[2]

The circumstance of his first marriage is unknown. In an interview published in The New York Times July 13, 1941, he made reference to a wife as early as 1934 or 1935. On July 13, 1944, he married Frances Wilson, a clinical psychologist; she died July 1970.[3] He was the father of two daughters, Frances and Sarah.

Reviews

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely not an overview of the battle. The level of detail is extraordinary concerning the actual battle and the personalities involved, especially in the leadership of the armies. Even though the material covered a lot of depth, certainly a lot more could have been written. Most books covering the subject simply state Stuart was no where to be found in or around Gettysburg. I often wondered why he was missing. This book finally reveals the reasons behind his absence. Then there is the Longstreet controversy, which could easily fill the pages of yet another book. Great read, and I highly encourage history lovers to do so. (I finished reading the book on March 28th, but reading the annotated bibliography took another few days in and around my work schedule. Reading the bibliography is not as silly as it seems. Doing so provided more information than one would think.)

[Peter McGinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize how long ago this book was written when I started it. I thought it was a new release. Oops.

I liked it overall. The depth of the research is impressive, and a lot of details about scenes and events I knew about surfaced for me. I think it is the first book I have read that is written so much from the confederate perspective. The book started to lose my trust 2/3 of the way into it when the author starts telling us what Longstreet was thinking at times, and in some detail when he admits Longstreet left no notes on what he might have said or thought. Now maybe a lot of what he presented as being why it was all Longstreet's fault, but chances are the general's thought processes were not as the author presents them. I mean, what would the odds be of that? I have since read a book that explains why Lee’s aggressive all out style of war, while superb and impressive in the winning of battles, ill served the confederacy, that a more defensive style like what Longstreet favored, might have extended an increasingly unpopular war in the north and encourage England to recognize the south as a nation.

Still, an interesting view of the battle.

[Mark Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a few different viewpoints on the Confederate efforts at Gettysburg, at least in terms of laying blame for the failures. Longstreet catches a lot of heat (no big surprise), but also Ewell, Hill, Early, and others - not to mention Lee. There are a lot of assumptions, in regards to what these men were thinking or feeling at the moment, and sometimes that throws the narrative off track. With that being said, it's a riveting read, and I would highly recommend it to a student of Gettysburg. I would *not* suggest this book for someone not familiar with the battle - for two reasons. 1. - for the aforementioned assumptions and mind-reading of the Confederate leaders, and 2. - the book is Confederate-centric and doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what was happening on the Union side of the battle. I would seek out a more balanced book if I was a newbie.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Book

Just recently started reading more about the history of the civil war. I was not disappointed with the results of this book. I just want to thank the author for taking the time to present to us a well researched account on the battle of Lee and his men at Gettysburg.

[Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would have thought it was written recently. This book can stand against time.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

One would come away from this very readable book with the idea that Longstreet was a douchebag and that Lee could do not wrong, other than trust his generals to do a decent job. J.E.B. Stuart failed Robert E. Lee; A.P. Hill failed him, as did Ewell and a bunch of other generals.

But Longstreet singlehandedly made sure Gettysburg was a disaster, if Dowdey is to be believed. I am not sure he is to be believed (he acknowledges that in their love for Lee, fellow generals maligned "Old Pete" after Gettysburg, but goes on to state that no good reputation can be discovered anyhow), I'm sure to read up on Gettysburg and Longstreet in the nearby future.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice look at Lee's staff. I enjoyed the in depth look at how their choices and personalities impacted the battle of Gettysburg. I came away with a different opinion of some of them than I had when I started the book, Longstreet especially. I still find that he was treated a bit harshly by southerners after the war, but I have a better idea of why. It seems like the author got into his head a bit and helped me understand his character.
Worth your read, especially if you have an interest in history.

[Bill S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of first books I had ever read on Gettysburg going back thirty years or so ago. It piqued my interest in the battle and it hasn't wavered since. Not in the class of Coddington and Allen Guelzo's current work but very well done.

[William P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read for someone who does not need an in depth study of the battle. Another good read by Dowdy, The Seven Days.