Candidate for "My Daguerreotype Boyfriend"

I am not sure what force made me click the express pay button, but I am sure glad I did! While I do love history, my bailiwick is usually English history. However, taking my daughter to college in Massachusetts for four years, I used to drive the I-81 corridor with all the battlefield signs and I have been to the charming town of Lexington, so I decided after listening to the sample, why not?

I only had a very basic knowledge about the Civil War. This is a great book to use as a spring board. It is written well, the author is straight forward and paints the world of the old south and T.J. Jackson's early life engagingly. Jackson goes from being an awkward, taciturn man and quite possibly the most boring teacher EVER to the hero of the south. He even gets better looking as he grows into his reputation! (Hence, my entry of his picture to My Daguerrotype Boyfriend (dot) blogspot. ) When the war starts, Jackson decides he must go the way Virginia goes and even though he is certainly a somewhat reluctant slave owner, like his contemporaries, he is accepting of the institution.

And so, we are off the races, so to speak. Who knew the Federal Union soldiers were so timid? As you read this book, you realize the Union had the fancy equipment, but the Rebels had the motivation. It's amazing the North won the war! The author uses Jackson's own words as culled from the many letters he left behind and I am convinced Stonewall must have sounded like Cotter Smith, who was FABULOUS. I would like to ask Audible to have him re-record John Adams and and unabridged version of Undaunted Courage!

I want to reiterate that I have never read a book about the Civil War but this book has made me want to read more, I might move on the Ulysses S. Grant next and then visit every battlefield on I-81 and Stonewall's house in Lexington! I will also be on the look out for more books by S.C. Gwynne.

85 people found this helpful

A very good read

This is my third Jackson biography. S.C. Gwynne offers great insight into his subject - that, and clarity of narrative. The book is appealingly organized. Whether one is new to the life of this extraordinary man or a student of his exploits, this iteration does not disappoint...a very good read.
( Note: Occasional internet forays into battle maps are useful - one of the few downsides to listening rather than reading. Some notion as to the geography of the Shenandoah Valley is essential.)

52 people found this helpful

Captivating

There have been a few biographies of Civil War Generals lately and this book can be added to the list. Everyone knows that little fazed General Thomas J. Jackson, at the first battle of Bull Run came the famous quote “Yonder stands Jackson like a stone wall.” S.C. Gwynne writes a very detailed and most readable biography of Jackson.

The Virginian born Jackson went to West Point and fought in the Mexican-American War. Jackson was a professor of physics at the Virginia Military Institute when the Civil war started. Jackson was religious and was not proslavery but chose to fight for his State of Virginia rather than the Union.

Jackson’s strategic innovations shattered the conventional wisdom of how war was waged; he was so far ahead of his time that his techniques would be studied generations into the future. The author shows that Jackson was a master of deception and movement. Jackson’s army could out march, outflank, out maneuver the Union Army. He was always outnumbered but he racked up victory after victory. The author delves deep into Jackson’s private life, including the lass of his first wife and his regimented personal habits.

The book is written with the swiftly vivid narrative that is Gwynne’s hallmark and is rich in battle lore, biographical detail, and intense conflict between historical figures. The author’s battle scenes are marvels of description and action. The book is meticulously researched. Gwynne used both primary documents and highly respected secondary sources. Gwynne maintained his objectivity and presents an unbiased biography. One minor annoyance was the fact the author provided more information about the war and other people, he needed to stay more focused on his subject Stonewall Jackson.

The author points out that Jackson went from obscurity to fame in twenty-four months in the Civil war. Jackson had a stunning effect on the course of the War. In 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville Jackson was shot by one of his sentries. His tragic death caused both the South and North to grieve. If you are interested in Civil War history you will enjoy this outstanding biography of one of the War’s greatest Generals. Cotton Smith narrated the book.

35 people found this helpful

Interesting Book - Well Narrated

This biography was well written. Cotter Smith did a great job with the narration. While like all biographies, its primary focus was on the life of one man- Jackson- I enjoyed the fact that it also brought into focus some of the other Civil War soldiers who had a major impact on Jackson's life as a commander- namely George McClellan, Joseph Johnston, PGT Beauregard, Robert E. Lee as well as some of the other not so known characters such as Nathanial "Commisary" Banks, John Pope, Richard Ewell, AP Hill, Turner Ashby and the unfortunately maligned Richard B. Garnett. The biography is presented in a non-chronological format. It starts out focusing on Jackson's initial command in the Civil War and then folds back into his service in the Mexican War and his VMI teaching career. We are never really understand how Jackson receives his appointment to West Point until about midway through the book. In listening to the book, I feel as if I have a better understanding of Jackson than I did before- but I still feel as if there are aspects of his life (his mercurial behavior) that I will never understand and probably no one ever will since there is not a plethora of information available. Nevertheless I believe that this is an excellent book and well worth the listen

31 people found this helpful

Biography As It Ought To Be.

Would you listen to Rebel Yell again? Why?

Yes, I found it vastly entertaining and informative; with the passage of time, I can seem myself re-reading, or re-listening to the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stonewall Jackson. He is the subject of the book. The writing and presentation are of such a nature, you feel like you have actually met this very complex and accomplished individual. The force of Jackson's character- as presented in this book- is so strong that I felt compelled to visit the Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington, VA. I am glad I did. My familiarity with Jackson, made possible by this excellent work, and combined with the excellent work done by those preserving the home, made it seem that he was still living there.

What about Cotter Smith’s performance did you like?

Spectacular! It seemed that he was telling a story from personal experience, rather than from the pages of a book. By far, the best performance I have heard.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The prologue, following Jackson's death. It is hard to imagine a better summation.

Any additional comments?

The quality of the work- both author and narrator- is such that it transcends the civil war. It is, of course, the story of the man and his times; but it presents the man in such a way that you feel he could be walking among us today.

16 people found this helpful

Rebel Mush

Any additional comments?

I'm aware that it's difficult not to become enamored of your subject, but this book is absurdly one sided. We really don't need yet another confederate apologist. Cotter Smith's narration was fine, though. I cannot recommend this one unless you're a believer in the 'The Civil War wasn't about slavery' school.

13 people found this helpful

Brings Stonewall to Life

This book does a beautiful job of showing the man, his motivations, and his significance to our history. The narrator's performance is top-notch.

13 people found this helpful

I can not remember listening to a better story

Would you listen to Rebel Yell again? Why?

I typically never listen to a book twice but this time I might make an exception. The length of this book ( every minute enjoyable ) is the only reason not to do it over.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This Stone Wall Jackson was clearly the greatest Civil War General. He made mistakes but all of the leaders did. Communications or the lack of them were often at fault. As a kid I read all of the Civil War stuff that I could get my hands on. Jackson's leadership abilities can not be understated. I was moved by the way the author portrayed Jackson's final days.

Any additional comments?

Cotter Smith was the perfect performer for this wonderful novel. Everyone should listen to this one. Why not get educated about Civil War history. Our kids know nothing about our past as the schools are failing to let all everywhere learn about America. You will be glad you listened to this book when it ends.

13 people found this helpful

The Stonewall Jackson you don't know

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Most of the books I have read on the Civil War have been writen from a northern perspectiive. This book provides, of course, focuses on the southern perspective and helps to provide a more complete understaning of the early campaigns in the eastern theater. More to the point, it explains how Jackson was so succesful.

What other book might you compare Rebel Yell to and why?

“William Tecumseh Sherman. In the Service of My Country: A Life” and “The Man Who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace” are both excellent books that provide insight into the Union general who made a difference in the war. However, neither is as personal as this book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There is significant discussion of Jackson’s softer side, which came as a surprise to me. His relationships with the women in in his life, including a child he befriended between campaigns, shows a much different side of Jackson than we hear about in discussions of his battlefield successes. Sadly, many are ended by tragedy.

8 people found this helpful

great book about a great man

If you could sum up Rebel Yell in three words, what would they be?

Informative interesting inspiring

What did you like best about this story?

What a good Christian man can do.

What about Cotter Smith’s performance did you like?

gave the story life

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the whole story was good

Any additional comments?

.

8 people found this helpful