Marrin portrays Lee’s personal life, as well as his military career. The important date of April 18, 1861 is emphasized by the author. This is the date that Lee rejected taking the command of the US Army. My thesis statement concerning this book is as follows: Robert E. Lee was the greatest and most respected generals in the Civil War, and his efforts kept Confederacy alive. I believe Marrin uses examples of common soldiers to differentiate Lee from the rest. Lee did not necessarily agree with all of politics and tactics of the south. However, he had a deep love and appreciation for his home state of Virginia and the heritage of his forefathers. Throughout the book, the author demonstrates the success of a man who stood loyal to his home state. Lee was known for his kindness, generosity and courtesy for the people of Virginia. His loyalty to his people and home state supports the level of respect he was given during the Civil War times. …show more content…
Albert Marrin is very knowledgeable about his subjects and was awarded the 2008 National Endowment for Humanities Medal. He earned this medal for his ability to bring the past alive for both educational and entertainment purposes. The book was very effective in showing all sides of General Lee, including success, failure, and loyalty. The author did not hide Lee’s failures, but highlighted his victories to demonstrate the effectiveness of his leadership. I would highly recommend this read to anyone interested in both the personal and military life of Robert E.