The man who would not be Washington
Subtitle: Robert E. Lee's Civil War and his decision that changed American history
By: Jonathan Horn
Edition: First Scribner hardcover edition.
Publisher: Scribner
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Number of pages: 369
ISBN-13: 9781476748566
Subjects: Generals; Influence; Biography; History
Other titles: Man who wouldn't be Washington :
Description: On the eve of the Civil War, one soldier embodied the legacy of George Washington and the hopes of leaders across a divided land. Both North and South knew Robert E. Lee as the son of George Washington's most famous eulogist and the son-in-law of Washington's adopted child. Each side sought his service for high command. Lee could choose only one. Here, former White House speechwriter Jonathan Horn reveals how the officer most associated with Washington went to war against the Union that Washington had forged. This extensively researched and gracefully written biography follows Lee through married life, military glory, and misfortune. The story that emerges is more complicated, more tragic, and more illuminating than the familiar tale. As Washington was the man who would not be king, Lee was the man who would not be Washington. The choice was Lee's. The story is America's.--From publisher description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 333-346) and index.
Table of contents: title: Foundering father; title: A Potomac son; title: Lee's union; title: Half slave, half free; title: Washington's sword; title: The decision; title: The battle for Arlington; title: The last heir; title: White House burning; title: Emancipation; title: The indispensable man; title: The cemetery; title: Washington and Lee; title: The bridge.