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Rated 5 starsExcellent short biography of Lee
This book is highly readable and fascinating in its insights. For a short biography, it is packed with information that one would not find in a more encyclopedia-type treatment. Blount's narrative style flows nicely and he includes enough humor to make the book sparkle. In fact there is a section at the end just on Lee's humor. Blount does a good job of explaining Lee's upbringing, marriage and early adult life, and especially...
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Rated 5 starsExcellent short bio of a military enigma
Several generals of the American Civil war are enigmas, to various extents. Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson, for instance, is very difficult to read, because he left so little in the way of letters or whatever that tell you anything of what he was thinking. Robert E. Lee was equally close-mouthed about this sort of thing, and amazingly stiff and standoffish with most male acquaintances and friends, to boot. The result is that...
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Rated 5 starsTrying to penetrate the Marble Man.
I am not familiar with the author, Roy Blount, from his previous writings, but I believe that he showed himself quite an able biographer with this latest edition of the Penguin Lives series. In some ways, his assignment was the most difficult of characters to study. Robert E. Lee is one of the more enigmatic figures in American history, but it is hard to say why he is not just a footnote instead of a figure of reverence,...
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Rated 5 starsThe Real Lee
Blount helps us understand the real Lee for a change, not the "marble man" admired and revered by simple Civil War buffs. Those looking for yet another breathless account of the same old stories will be intellectually overmatched by the insightful, sensitive and illuminating portrait Blount presents. A real contribution to understanding Lee, the Civil War, and the mindset which led the nation to and through that disaster...
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Rated 5 starsVery successful at what it sets out to be
This is the fourth Penguin Lives title I've read (the other three being Auchincloss on Wilson, Keegan on Churchill, and Johnson on Napoleon), and for pure biography, this one is the best of the four. Other reviewers who criticize the relative superficiality of Blount's analysis need to recognize that the Penguin Lives are not intended to be comprehensive, ground-breaking studies. That just couldn't be done in under 200 pages.No,...
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles Mentions in Our Blog
It's interesting to look back at pop culture that withstands the test of time. It's time for our annual roundup of some of the enduring titles hitting the half-century mark this year. Here are ten memorable books published in 1975.
As we kick off Women's History Month, we decided it's a good time to celebrate some notable women authors who made literary history. These eleven authors are just a handful of those who have paved the way for women writers.
Are you noticing a proliferation of furry faces around you? Maybe it's due to cooler weather, but more likely it's because of Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness around men's health—with facial hair. Here's our recommended reading list.
September 15 was the birthday of Agatha Christie 130 years ago; next month marks the centenary of her first publication. The prolific mystery author stands as one of the bestselling fiction writers of all time, second only to Shakespeare. Here we reflect on her life and works.
Did you know that the world’s first novel was written by a woman? Or that female authors had a hand in several literary genres, including sci-fi, dystopian, and rom-com? And guess who the world’s first billionaire writer was? Hint: Her most famous character’s initials are H.P. Read on to learn about history’s innovative literary ladies.
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