In a New York Time’s book review entitled ‘Ghost of the Confederacy’, Fergus Bordewich relates:
“Robert E. Lee occupies a remarkable place in the pantheon of American history, combining in the minds of many, Michael Korda writes in this admiring and briskly written biography, ‘a strange combination of martyr, secular saint, Southern gentleman and perfect warrior.’ Indeed, Korda aptly adds, ‘It is hard to think of any other general who had fought against his own country being so completely reintegrated into national life.’ ”
WATCHDOG: We have recognized Lee’s skills as a general but deplored his placing his career above ethical considerations.
Prior biographers have focused on Lee’s struggle in decideing which army to lead. He chose his native South.
His proper solution was to have led neither, perhaps moving to England until the struggle was over.
He would not have exercised and proven his military prowess. He would not have become famous.
But it was the honorable thing to do. And we suspect that others, now unknown, chose that path.
The war might have been over much sooner and hundreds of thousands of lives saved had he resisted self gratification.
So Lee is not our hero.
