All Things for Good: The Steadfast Fidelity of Stonewall Jackson

Leaders in Action

by Steve Wilkins

Thomas Jonathan Jackson, dubbed "Stonewall" following the battle of First Manassas in July 1861, was born in 1824 in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). This extremely complex, often misunderstood man was orphaned at a young age, graduated from West Point in 1846, and participated in the Mexican War in 1848. Attracted to the Virginia Military Institute in 1851, he resigned his commission in the army a year later. He left VMI in 1861 to join the Confederate army. Immediately commissioned a colonel, within months he had been promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He was mortally wounded by friendly fire at the May 1863 battle of Chancellorsville and died a week later. Revered as a brilliant military leader, tactician, and one of the most adroit Confederate commanders, Jackson is a study in contrasts. He was justifiably feared by his enemies and totally beloved by his men. Yet his humble and sincere faith seemed at odds with his reputation as a ferocious warrior. All Things for Good is a thoughtful new volume in the Leaders in Action Series. In it J. Steven Wilkins challenges some of the myths that surround Stonewall Jackson and celebrates his devout Christian faith.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction

394 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2004

About the author

Steve Wilkins holds a Bachelor of Science degree (in Pre-Law) from the University of Alabama and a Masters of Divinity from the Reformed Theological Seminary of Jackson, Mississippi. He was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in 1976. He served as the pastor of Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church of Monroe, Louisiana from 1989 to 2018. On April 15, 2018, Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church began worshipping in a new location in West Monroe, LA. and changed its name to Church of the Redeemer.

Reviews

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing book in this series that shows the faith and integrity of Confederate generals.

[Devonne West · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a misunderstood man! Although, considering his character, he would probably be okay with that as he didn't really care what people thought of him, whether good or bad. He said in one of his letters to his wife, "...Let others speak praise, not myself." The South loved him. The North feared him. This is a man whose military prowess ranks in the likes of Napoleon. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was a man with deep convictions. He taught Sunday School to slaves and at least 3 churches were started by his students. He called his 6 slaves "his children" and they sat in the same pew with him each Sunday. He was not an abolitionist (after John Brown, he thought it was too radical) but he was for a gradual emancipation. He thought that the slave trade was a great sin. He fought in the Civil War because of state's rights, not slavery.
Jackson struggled in so many areas of his life but he persevered through it all. Yes, he had idiosyncrasies, but don't we all? The good traits that this man held far outweighed the odd behaviors that he had. We could learn a few things from his character and I pray that his legacy will not be forgotten.

[Cliff Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this as a gift from a dear friend. I have a small collection of US Civil War books that I’ve studied throughout my military career. This book covers Stonewall Jackson and focuses on his time at VMI and Northern Virginia. The author explores his military acumen and his Christian faith. I would rank or higher but it does require a fairly high understanding of Jackson’s career. This would be a great companion read for someone reading about the war from a Southern perspective. Very well researched.

[Greg Parrott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives and short biography of General Jackson. Seems to have been taken from a large part of James Robertson's Stonewall Jackson: The Man, the Soldier, the Legend which I have not read yet.

[Adam Balshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars [Biography]
(W: 2.7, U: 3.13, T: 3.17)
Exact rating: 3.00

A bit hagiographic but mostly it was balanced. Part 2 on Jackson's characteristics entailed repetition.

More of something to read if you know little about Jackson and wish for a bite-sized offering.

[Wallace Hettle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst book I have ever read.

[Becky Keeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a OK biography of Stonewall Jackson. I could tell it was part of a series of Christian biographies, very straight-forward in its themes. It didn't explore any complexities of Jackson's life or the Civil War. I could also tell that the author was southern--Civil War was about States' Rights, not about slavery's oppression. I skimmed the battles. My mom liked this book better than I did. She read it first and had me read it. But I did learn more about Stonewall Jackson, and I did appreciate his devotion to God and his leaders.

[Steven Hoffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really Good

[Dean Akin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderfully principled leader. A must read for anyone who doesn't know what a man of principle looks like.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It could have been organized and presented better by whoever decides that, but what's told here is great.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding book not only spotlighting a great military leader, but a man of God as well.