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The Sowers
Stonewall Jackson: Loved in the South Admired in the North
Loved in the South; admired in the North, Stonewall Jackson was a great general, a noble Christian and a pure man.
177 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 5, 2025
This is probably the 3rd or 4th book I've read about Stonewall Jackson. Author Charles Ludwig does a good job telling of the character traits of Jackson. He had some idiosyncrasies and although, there is some dispute about them, all of historians agree that he was a man of deep faith. Because of that faith, he did not fear death.
Even as a child, he was friends with the slaves his uncle owned. He taught one slave how to read and he taught a Sunday School class for the slaves. What's sad to me is that, as of this writing, most of his memorials have been removed but his writing and history proves that he was very much against slavery (as was Gen Robert E Lee).
As Robert E Lee said when he learned that Jackson was wounded and had to have his left arm amputated, "He has lost his left arm; I have lost my right arm." Jackson was a skilled general and is considered by some historians to be one of the great military minds of all time.
He was loved in the South and admired in the North as shown in the news article that was printed in The Daily Chronicle on May 13, 1863, that said, "Stonewall Jackson is dead. While we are only too glad to be rid, in a way, of so terrible a foe, our sense of relief is not unmingled with emotions of sorrow and sympathy at the death of so brave a man. Every man who possesses the least particle of magnanimity must admire the qualities for which Stonewall Jackson was celebrated - his heroism, his bravery, his sublime devotion, his purity of character...Stonewall Jackson was a great general, a noble Christian and a pure man. May God throw these great virtures against the sins of secessionists, the advocates of a great national crime."
This book is an easy read. If you like history and Christian faith, you'll really enjoy this book.
Even as a child, he was friends with the slaves his uncle owned. He taught one slave how to read and he taught a Sunday School class for the slaves. What's sad to me is that, as of this writing, most of his memorials have been removed but his writing and history proves that he was very much against slavery (as was Gen Robert E Lee).
As Robert E Lee said when he learned that Jackson was wounded and had to have his left arm amputated, "He has lost his left arm; I have lost my right arm." Jackson was a skilled general and is considered by some historians to be one of the great military minds of all time.
He was loved in the South and admired in the North as shown in the news article that was printed in The Daily Chronicle on May 13, 1863, that said, "Stonewall Jackson is dead. While we are only too glad to be rid, in a way, of so terrible a foe, our sense of relief is not unmingled with emotions of sorrow and sympathy at the death of so brave a man. Every man who possesses the least particle of magnanimity must admire the qualities for which Stonewall Jackson was celebrated - his heroism, his bravery, his sublime devotion, his purity of character...Stonewall Jackson was a great general, a noble Christian and a pure man. May God throw these great virtures against the sins of secessionists, the advocates of a great national crime."
This book is an easy read. If you like history and Christian faith, you'll really enjoy this book.
January 7, 2026
I would recommend this book to every homeschooling family.
We live in such a divided time - not unlike Jackson's time, though with much less honor for ourselves and our enemies - and it would do us well to study more deeply the different sides of history and the deep humanity of historical figures.
Today, Jackson is portrayed by many as a wicked tyrant who should be blotted from history...but letters, diaries, newspapers, etc. from the time portray him as a gentleman who taught slaves how to read and understand the Gospel, was deeply torn about slavery, loved deeply, and, yes, like us all was a flawed sinner who constantly gave glory to Christ - much like many in the North! Brothers by blood as well as brothers in Christ fighting each other. What a messy time, and I feel it to my core because we live in such similar times, indeed!
The last chapter of this book had me struggling to read through tears!
This book was better than a similar one from a different series that we read on Robert E. Lee because it included sources and quoted a lot from primary sources while also keeping the narrative interesting for children.
Interestingly, we were able to see a lot of Robert E. Lee in this book, which filled in a lot of gaps we missed in the other book, as this one was a lot more detailed!
We live in such a divided time - not unlike Jackson's time, though with much less honor for ourselves and our enemies - and it would do us well to study more deeply the different sides of history and the deep humanity of historical figures.
Today, Jackson is portrayed by many as a wicked tyrant who should be blotted from history...but letters, diaries, newspapers, etc. from the time portray him as a gentleman who taught slaves how to read and understand the Gospel, was deeply torn about slavery, loved deeply, and, yes, like us all was a flawed sinner who constantly gave glory to Christ - much like many in the North! Brothers by blood as well as brothers in Christ fighting each other. What a messy time, and I feel it to my core because we live in such similar times, indeed!
The last chapter of this book had me struggling to read through tears!
This book was better than a similar one from a different series that we read on Robert E. Lee because it included sources and quoted a lot from primary sources while also keeping the narrative interesting for children.
Interestingly, we were able to see a lot of Robert E. Lee in this book, which filled in a lot of gaps we missed in the other book, as this one was a lot more detailed!
November 10, 2018
I have read several books by this author but this is, by far, my favorite. I literally was touched to the heart by his biography of this great man. Jackson was eccentric, but he was also a man for the ages. He was indeed "Loved in the South" and "Admired in the North." A fitting tribute.
It is especially fitting when in our day fools wish to tear down memorials to men like Jackson because of trying to apply their own views on those who lived over a century ago without knowing their hearts, their minds, or their situations. Should people be taught to hate a man who loved blacks and whites alike and wanted to help them get to Heaven? To ask the question is to answer it.
It is especially fitting when in our day fools wish to tear down memorials to men like Jackson because of trying to apply their own views on those who lived over a century ago without knowing their hearts, their minds, or their situations. Should people be taught to hate a man who loved blacks and whites alike and wanted to help them get to Heaven? To ask the question is to answer it.
September 14, 2018
I love how the author points out how hard it was to live in those days. They were not easy. I think what could make the book more exciting is to have a little more dialogue. Their was a lot but is talked about his life more than they had him talking in the book. I think the most realistic thing about this book was when they talked about the moment for stonewall Jackson. Their is a monument and i have seen pictures of it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about war and history.
March 1, 2024
Jed and I have been working on this one for a while. This was a great source of information about Stonewall Jackson as we prepare for his big history report. I love the emphasis on his faith, and overall fairness to the topic and the man.
July 6, 2017
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews