Never did so large a proportion of the American population leave home for an extended period and produce such a detailed record of its experiences in the form of correspondence; diaries; and other papers as during the Civil War. Based on research in more than 1;200 wartime letters and diaries by more than 400 Confederate officers and enlisted men; this book offers a compelling social history of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia during its final year; from May 1864 to April 1865. Organized in a chronological framework; the book uses the words of the soldiers themselves to provide a view of the army's experiences in camp; on the march; in combat; and under siege--from the battles in the Wilderness to the final retreat to Appomattox. It sheds new light on such questions as the state of morale in the army; the causes of desertion; ties between the army and the home front; the debate over arming black men in the Confederacy; and the causes of Confederate defeat. Remarkablyrich and detailed; Lee's Miserables offers a fresh look at one of the most-studied Civil War armies.
#1224402 in Books Heinrich Robert 2016-05-16 2016-05-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.87 x .77 x 5.61l; .0 #File Name: 0807162655162 pagesFrom Slave to Statesman The Life of Educator Editor and Civil Rights Activist Willis M Carter of Virginia
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Scholarly yet fascinating and readable.By Erica BellSuch an interesting story but presented in a thorough and scholarly manner. I especially liked that the entire diary is included at the end; so one can read it for oneself. This is a nuanced telling of actual events without the overlay of our own contemporary judgments. We tend to bring our own "20/20 hindsight" to descriptions of this era; but the book lets us see things through the eyes of people as they actually lived at the time. Excellent and exceedingly readable.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great read!By Greg RenoffOne of the more venerated ideas in American life is that upward mobility for individuals flows from education and hard work. Significantly; and understandably; scholars of African-American life have tended to emphasize the ways in which the array of legal; economic and social factors undergirding white supremacy limited opportunities for most black southerners to significantly improve their stations in life in the post-Civil War era.In their excellent From Slave to Statesman; Robert Heinrich and Deborah Harding now offer up the example of a remarkable Virginia man; Willis M. Carter; who elevated himself far beyond his humble beginnings; despite the era's harsh racial realities. Born into slavery in 1852; Carter embraced education (to be sure; he enjoyed opportunities in this area denied to the vast majority of former slaves) and the wide variety of employment opportunities that came his way (as a young man; for example; he was a railroad flagman and waiter).By 1882; Carter had become a teacher; would later serve as a principal of a Staunton school for more than a decade; and would edit his own newspaper; the Staunton Tribune.In the years that followed; Carter's life would take a political turn. In 1896; he served as an alternate Delegate for the Republican National Convention; and early the next century; he would join with other activist-minded African-Americans by agitating against the racialist components of the new Virginia state constitution before passing away at the age of forty-nine in 1902.In sum; this is a slim; readable volume that opens up the era's racial landscape to readers. Particular credit to the authors for making so much of the thin -- it's not more than a few hundred words -- autobiographical sketch of Carter's life that served for the starting point for this project. My suggestion to readers is to turn to the back of the book and read Carter's own sketch before diving into the book's chapters. Doing so will only elevate the reader's esteem for Carter and the work of these fine historians.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. national development that help citizens of this country better understand and process its turbulent and complex pastBy Customer"From Slave to Statesman. The Life of Educator; Editor and Civil Rights Activist Willis M. Carter of Virginia" is an important addition to the study of slavery; African Americans and the history of the United States in general. The research of Heinrich and Harding adds depth and context to this slim; yet remarkable memoir. They successfully present Carter's inspiring personal journey in a way that is accessible and engaging. Narratives such as "From Slave to Statesman" provide rare and essential insights into this period (Carter's life 1852-1902) of U.S. national development that help citizens of this country better understand and process its turbulent and complex past. This book represents impressive work that is timely and significant. As issues of race and discrimination come to the forefront during this election season; we examine our history to orient ourselves and assess our progress- Carter's story serves as one of our guideposts.
