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Douglas Southall Freeman
Douglas Southall Freeman (1886-1953) won two Pulitzer Prizes for his biographies R. E. Lee and George Washington; he also edited the Richmond News Leader, made twice-daily radio news broadcasts, and taught journalism at Columbia University.
- GenresBiography
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 24, 2019
Johnson, a lawyer by training, wrote this book with the enthusiastic support of Freeman’s eldest daughter; and although it’s not a hagiography, Johnson is clearly sympathetic to the Pulitzer-prizewinning biographer of Robert E. Lee and George Washington. Johnson has done a fine job of research, and his writing is, at its worst, workmanlike.
Nevertheless, the author might have quickened the pace with no loss of understanding if he had cut many of the quotations and reduced the book’s length by say, a fourth. Freeman’s workaholic writing habits are both astonishing and a bit scary, but his political positions, overseas trips, and friendships with important people are fairly humdrum, and do not require the space that Johnson has given them.
One aspect of Freeman’s life might have been more deeply explored: his religion. There is a seeming conflict between the devout Baptist and long-time Sunday school teacher, one who maintained a personal chapel, and the man who confessed near the life of his life that he did not believe in immortality. (337)
Nevertheless, the author might have quickened the pace with no loss of understanding if he had cut many of the quotations and reduced the book’s length by say, a fourth. Freeman’s workaholic writing habits are both astonishing and a bit scary, but his political positions, overseas trips, and friendships with important people are fairly humdrum, and do not require the space that Johnson has given them.
One aspect of Freeman’s life might have been more deeply explored: his religion. There is a seeming conflict between the devout Baptist and long-time Sunday school teacher, one who maintained a personal chapel, and the man who confessed near the life of his life that he did not believe in immortality. (337)
December 8, 2020
The lively personality of Douglas Southall Freeman jumps off the page in Johnson's biography. It is apparent that Johnson is sympathetic to Freeman, but he does mention many of Freeman's flaws (a bit of an absent father, etc.). Johnson also labors on some points for much too long; 50-75 pages of the book could have been cut without losing much. Overall, though, the book accurately portrays the life of a wonderful man and a great historian.
January 17, 2024
It was interesting to read about how he started. The latter half was a bit boring but this is still a good book to read.
November 15, 2015
An excellent telling of the life of Douglas Southall Freeman. Dr. Freeman was a southern gentleman of great achievement and character who contributed significantly to our understanding of Robert E. Lee and George Washington. Freeman ranks, with Dumas Malone, as a superlative historian of American history and Southern tradition. Mr. Johnson serves us well by offering the opportunity to see Dr. Freeman's dedication to the highest level of scholarship and civic duty.
December 24, 2015
This is a great book- a biography about a biographer. Freeman's life has much to teach us. Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for your terrific work. It has motivated me in many ways to do better scholarship and to embrace the "simplicity and spirituality" Lee had... and Freeman as well.
Of course, faith in Christ alone is central to both men's lives.
Of course, faith in Christ alone is central to both men's lives.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews