General Richard Stoddert Ewell holds a unique place in the history of the Army of Northern Virginia. For four months Ewell was Stonewall Jackson's most trusted subordinate; when Jackson died; Ewell took command of the Second Corps; leading it at Gettysburg; the Wilderness; and Spotsylvania Court House. In this biography; Donald Pfanz presents the most detailed portrait yet of the man sometimes referred to as Stonewall Jackson's right arm. Drawing on a rich array of previously untapped original source materials; Pfanz concludes that Ewell was a highly competent general; whose successes on the battlefield far outweighed his failures. But Pfanz's book is more than a military biography. It also examines Ewell's life before and after the Civil War; including his years at West Point; his service in the Mexican War; his experiences as a dragoon officer in Arizona and New Mexico; and his postwar career as a planter in Mississippi and Tennessee. In all; Pfanz offers an exceptionally detailed portrait of one of the South's most important leaders.
#1215788 in Books 2015-07-27 2015-07-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .81 x 6.00l; 1.15 #File Name: 0807162302360 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Activists; Agitators; and AbolitionistsBy Jim SchmidtThis book was an outstanding compliment to the recent 3-part series; "The Abolitionists;" on PBS. Indeed; one of the faults of the program is that it focused almost solely on the domestic aspects of slavery and abolition. The beauty of McDaniel's book is that it takes a global view: how leading American abolitionists were inspired by examples of activism in Europe and elsewhere and how the international community longed to use America as an example of the promises of liberty but were forestalled owing to our country's attachment to slavery.Part biography of Garrison; part primer on 19th century political philosophies; and part chronology of the decades-long struggle to secure emancipation for millions of American slaves; the book achieves all three goals with a serious; systematic; and logical argument and narrative.One of the great features of this book is how relevant it is to today's political climate. One also is struck by the patience and tenacity of abolitionists; especially Garrison: his persistent and decades-long agitation stands in stark contrast to the impatience that surrounds the modern cry of "What do we want? [Cause]! When do we want it? Now! Activists of all stripes can take lessons - and solace - from Garrison's long-term view and strategies.The book - as much of my recent reading oin slavery and abolition also has - makes the point that the Abolitionists were up against a nationwide "slave-ocracy" that permeated all levels of government - executive; legislative; and judicial - especially in the South; but also in the north. It is also a warning against the dangers of the mob-thought; nationalism; aristocrarcy; and other dangers to liberty and the free expression of opinions; especially minority and dissenting opinions.Highly recommended.I thanks LSU Press for the review copy.
