William Byrd II (1674-1744) was an important figure in the history of colonial Virginia: a founder of Richmond; an active participant in Virginia politics; and the proprietor of one of the colony's greatest plantations. But Byrd is best known today for his diaries. Considered essential documents of private life in colonial America; they offer readers an unparalleled glimpse into the world of a Virginia gentleman. This book joins Byrd's Diary; Secret Diary; and other writings in securing his reputation as one of the most interesting men in colonial America. Edited and presented here for the first time; Byrd's commonplace book is a collection of moral wit and wisdom gleaned from reading and conversation. The nearly six hundred entries range in tone from hope to despair; trust to dissimulation; and reflect on issues as varied as science; religion; women; Alexander the Great; and the perils of love. A ten-part introduction presents an overview of Byrd's life and addresses such topics as his education and habits of reading and his endeavors to understand himself sexually; temperamentally; and religiously; as well as the history and cultural function of commonplacing. Extensive annotations discuss the sources; background; and significance of the entries.
#2286732 in Books Louisiana State University Press 2008-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .80 x 5.60l; .70 #File Name: 080713371X144 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Davis as a politicianBy Gary DorrisMr. Cooper examines Davis as his political career evolves from the tough local issues in Mississippi; to a spokesman for the right to own slaves but opponent of secession as a U.S. Senator to his constitution crisis as President of the Confederacy. This is a realistic introduction to Davis.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Jefferson Davis; Politician; Confederate President and Warlord; Myth MakerBy A. A. NofiA summary of the review on StrategyPage.Com:`Nine essays by William J. Cooper; author of Jefferson Davis; American and Liberty and Slavery : Southern Politics to 1860; that deal with Davis and the politics of secession and of the Confederacy; Davis and the conduct of the war; and Davis and the rise of the myth of the "Lost Cause." Cooper makes a number of interesting points; the most of which is that rather than see Davis as an inept politician and war leader; we should keep in mind that Lincoln's brilliance in these roles obscures the Mississippian's very real abilities. But he goes on to also make a case that Davis failed to use his considerable political skills during the war because he took his role as president as being above politics; as a symbol of "The Cause;" a charge that certainly could not be made against Lincoln. Cooper also argues that Davis had a good grasp of the overall strategic situation; for example; believing strongly in the importance of the Western Theatre; but was hampered in efforts to develop a more effective strategy by domestic and military politics. There's more; of course; and Jefferson Davis and the Civil War Era is an interesting work for those curious about national leadership in time of war; and; of course; a valuable one for any student of the Civil War.'For the full review; see StrategyPage.Com3 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Solid but Repetitive Collection of EssaysBy Kevin M. DerbyDoes the world really need a third William Cooper book on Jefferson Davis? Cooper addresses this head on in his introduction and shoots down any doubts but; as I read this collection of essays; I felt as I have read some of this before. Cooper is able to focus more specifically on a number of key points of Davis' tenure as presidency of the Confederacy and offers an overview of Davis' visit to Montgomery; AL in the late 1880s. If the essays are a bit repetitive; it must be conceded that Cooper knows his subject well and is able to present this important man and his cause in a dispassionate light. This book reinforces how herculean Davis' task was and that no man; not even one as able as Davis could be despite his flaws; was up to.
