Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee

Leaders in Action

by Steve Wilkins, George E. Grant (Foreword)

Although the Civil War was the bitterest epoch of American experience -- dividing families, sundering communities, and enforcing fierce regional enmity -- Robert E. Lee was admired and respected by partisans from both sides. This volume examines the attributes of life and service that enabled Lee to become a model of leadership for all time.

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

332 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1941

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

[Joshua Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most honorable Christian men this land has known. Thus he’s one of the most maligned in our day today.

[Dino Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What we see here is the amazing evidence of what God can do by His grace with sinners. Robert E. Lee chose to fight in the confederacy because his house was on the wrong side of the river and didn’t want to turn his back on his neighbors, community and his state. Even though he is on the wrong side of history, he still is a amazing man that loves God and was seen as a hero to everyone who met him. A great scene that captures the awesomeness of him was when he goes to Appomattox to surrender to Ulysses S. Grant of the union. When he walks out, all the union soldiers take off their hats in honoring Lee. It honestly is such a great moment in history. They have been fighting for 4 years and now still think highly of Lee. Then later in life he declines well paying jobs and decides to take the position of president of Washington College, a terrible school when he first started. He decided to have a more hands on roll in the training of young men. He was always present in the first row at church every Sunday. He apparently would meet with every student 1:1 and remember their names. If a student did poorly then he would ask them to come to his office and give them grace and encouragement to be a better student that he knew they could be. The student population at the college rapidly increased due to the Souths love for Lee. At one point Lee and his daughter traveled around the South and hundreds of people would greet him when he got off the train. One town greeted him and took off their hats and for a minute were silent to pay respects to their beloved hero.
Idk just a really great book that helped me understand the civil war better. And it helped me realize why this dude, Robert E. Lee was in a lot of my textbooks in history class. Yeah, just a amazing guy that everybody loved. That’s because he treated people the way they would want to be treated and feared the Lord but his house was on the wrong side of the river lol.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always amazed whenever I read a biography of Robert E. Lee at the integrity of this man.

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half was an excellent biography filled with insights into what shaped and nurtured one of our greatest leaders in American History. The second half elaborates how Lee exhibited Christian values in his life. He was revered during his lifetime and even respected by his enemies. Unfortunately our culture does not value honor, nobility, sacrifice or integrity like it should. Lee regularly took personal responsibility for his actions and often others' actions. He thought other people were more vital and important than himself. A man like Lee is so rare. It helps us see the true nature of this man that modern people disregard in favor of their own rewriting of American history and political agendas.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to properly understand our nation’s history and the incredible legacy of faith and true nobility left by one of its greatest men, read this book.

[Adam Balshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars [Biography]
(W 2.77 | U 3.92 | T 3.82)
Exact rating: 3.50

This partial biography of General Robert E. Lee is thoroughly inspiring. The first section is a short, chronological narrative; the second is topical; the third is a summation of his legacy. The first part deserved 4.5 stars. The second part had far too much repetition; if only the author had found a synergy that obviated repetition, or expressed the repetitions in fresh ways, it might have been an outstanding piece of work. Stylistically, it is easy to read because each chapter is only several pages long.

Lee was a far more faithful disciple of Christ than is commonly known (or cared about) among our modern, government-education regime. Read this book if you wish to see what sterling character truly is.

[Joe Rigney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert E. Lee was one of the finest Christian gentlemen this country ever produced. Wilkins does a great job of bringing this quiet, humble giant to life.

Lee was a man of dignity, grace, and honor, who knew how to laugh, and could throw together a hefty proverb if need be.

"You cannot be a true man until you learn to obey."

"Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character."

This one would be a good one for fathers to read. At least, it was for this new father.

[Meredith Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read along with Ben for school.

For the most part I thought this was a good book. It’s the first biography of Lee I’ve read, but growing up in the South I know how revered he is. The respect he’s shown seems well deserved. From what I’ve read, he was a man of high morals, great integrity, and strong faith in God. He was a very good husband and father, a great military leader, above reproach in all he did. Even in the face of defeat he refused to ever give in to bitterness or retaliation at the great mistreatment he and his family faced (at the hands of Northerners - to Southerners he could do no wrong!)

My issue with the book is more along the lines the author takes in handling slavery and the causes behind the Civil War. I have heard the argument that the winner gets to tell the history…and it’s not always accurate. I still have yet to be convinced the war was fought over states rights, unless that right is the right to own people as slaves. This book takes the states rights stance. It’s good to hear the arguments. I appreciate that the Civil War was complex with good and bad on both sides. I even have come to see the South wanted the federal government to have less power.

What I can’t see is how anyone believes slavery was not the central issue. It seems to me that to take the states’ rights stance requires a few things. It requires ignoring the declarations written by four of the Southern states that names slavery as a reason for secession. (The shorter Ordinances of Secession written by all the states that seceded do not name slavery.) It requires a whole cloth belief that Southerners were faithful Christians while Northerners were wicked pagans. Humans are far too complicated for that. It requires the belief that Southerners on the whole treated their slaves well and provided a better life for them than freedom could. I will stop there.

All this to say it’s a great book excepting the chapters dealing with slavery and states rights. But that’s just my opinion.

One surprising comfort I took from this book is seeing that political disagreements are no new thing. Sometimes I can forget that in the heat of current and very divisive issues. Gaining perspective is a powerful argument for reading widely.

[Patrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure Robert E. Lee had wonderful qualities. This book paints the portrait of a king among men. But how can you fairly paint a portrait with only five pages devoted to slavery - and these just basically justifying Lee's attitude toward the practice? I think this book has tried to white wash the issue, and that was disappointing.
I did enjoy learning about this man, but felt the story was negligently incomplete.

[Grant Van Brimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable biography. Read this and you will be absolutely dumbfounded at how our culture so unjustly vilifies this man. So much of his godly character is lost among men today. Men especially would do well to read and learn from men of stout godly character such as Lee.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It is well written and well researched. However, there is quite a bit of redundancy in the book.

[Greg Parrott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about the General and his upbringing and reasons for feeling the call of duty. Not much on military strategy as the author says that has been well covered elsewhere. Worth the read!

[Josiah Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in high school. I was inspired to live a life as truly noble and dutiful as Robert E. Lee.
Certainly a hero of American history.

[Skyler Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best biography I’ve read in a long time.

[Guthrie Veech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting leadership book on Lee and his Godliness.

[Monique Bowman]

Great book about Robert E. Lee. Men are not made like this any more. Truly a man of God.

[David Carraway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent book! Wilkins covers every area of Lee's life from birth to death and the effects of his life on the generations afterwards. He gives an excellent account of Lee's personal, public and military life. He shows that Lee was a devout man of faith and trusted in God for everything. He talks about Lee's struggle with succession and his opinion of slavery. He shows how things like worship, being a devoted husband, marital fidelity, submission to God's will, self control and self denial and above all duty in every area of life were all characteristics that Lee put forth. These and many more. There is so much more I could say about this book, but will leave it for you to discover for yourself. I highly recommend this book!!!

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent study on the life of Lee that highlights his character, and shows why Lee has such enduring appeal and devotion. This would be an eminently appropriate book for anyone, beginning in high school. It is factually accurate and relies heavily on Freeman. There is no doubt that Lee was a great man, which explains in some measure the iconoclastic works we are beginning to see. While this book may seem like hero worship, an objective examination of this gentlemen will show that he is indeed worthy of our admiration. We should all attempt to emulate Robert E. Lee and his devotion to duty.

[Jeff Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best book I have ever read about Robert E. Lee. The work is divided into three parts: part 1 covers his life, part 2 covers his character, and part 3 covers his legacy. This book covers much of his military career, although less than many other works, but the part I really liked was the coverage of his faith in God. Whatever your personal feelings or allegiances concerning the late war, most would have to acknowledge that Lee was a great military leader and a great man of God. Lee made a great impact on the Southland and is a person worthy of study today.

[Grace Achord · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read. The short chapters make it easy for school-aged students to grasp and delight in the life and history of Robert E. Lee. Poignant at times, Wilkins handles his subject matter well, not delving into unnecessary polemics. The author keeps the focus on the greatness of Lee, though he ably tackles controversial issues when relevant.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this man! Robert E. Lee's life story is powerful & challenging. I highly recommend this book to any believer that needs a kick in the pants.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good quick read. Not all encompassing but then it again it is not written for that purpose. Loved it!

[Steven Hoffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! This book should be every christian man's duty to read.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the review I wrote in "Give me Liberty"
this is one of the 16 books in Leaders in Action series. Great quick reads!

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights into a great life of a great man.

[Vince Lanier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renee' read this book to our children when they were young and they enjoyed it. It was inspiring to me and hopefully has raised the level of my integrity.

[Michael Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

brings out the great character of a great man with footnotes, quotes and portions of letters--warm and affectionate. Great motivator to good character!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopping reading. I like Lee, but I find the author's biases too blatant. While everyone has biases, a historian should strive to be as impartial as possible.

[Winnie Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee was quite the man.