Lee and Grant: A Dual Biography (#84170 - 8 cassettes)

Rating:
Summary: Lee and Grant
Review: Gene Smith's Lee And Grant was a well-written documentation of the lives of these Civil War generals. The way the book was set up kept it interesting and almost fun to read. The format was such that consecutive chapters paralleled each man's life. For instance the first chapter pertained to Lee's father and his childhood while the second chapter was about Grant's Father and childhood. One warning I have to potential readers: this is a great book for those interested in the Civil War and these two men. If one doesn't have any interest in the topic, then this book is not for them. There aren't and underlying driving plots or surprises that make the book suspenseful. This is a historical piece highlighting two great men in our country's history. It's a great book for those who want to read specifically about these two men, not for a reader just looking for a book to read.

Rating:
Summary: Very rewarding read
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. The contrast between Grant (who led a hard scrabble life, even resorting to selling firewood by the side of the road to make a living) and Lee (perhaps the greatest man of the South) and Grant's triumph was a great story. You get a great introduction to the Civil War, even though there is a focus on the Virginia campaign because this is a biography of these two men, not an overall history of the Civil War. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Very rewarding read
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. The contrast between Grant (who led a hard scrabble life, even resorting to selling firewood by the side of the road to make a living) and Lee (perhaps the greatest man of the South) and Grant's triumph was a great story. You get a great introduction to the Civil War, even though there is a focus on the Virginia campaign because this is a biography of these two men, not an overall history of the Civil War. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Lee and Grant
Review: I was enthralled by the unique view that this book afforded. I have read many histories of the Civil War from many perspectives. This is the first time that I was introduced to these two pivotal historical figures from the human side. The juxtaposition of each of them to the other was very helpful to put the time and sequences of the war into perspective and give true scale to all that happened.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding history of the Civil War and two great men
Review: I was enthralled by the unique view that this book afforded. I have read many histories of the Civil War from many perspectives. This is the first time that I was introduced to these two pivotal historical figures from the human side. The juxtaposition of each of them to the other was very helpful to put the time and sequences of the war into perspective and give true scale to all that happened.

Rating:
Summary: Scottish Generals
Review: In telling the stories of Lee and Grant, Smith is really writing a neat book on the Civil War. I found this book to be very informative and highly readable. I especially enjoyed the chapter on Chancellorville. This is a pretty basic book. A good starting point for anyone interested in the Civil War or just looking for a good basic overview.

Rating:
Summary: A Highly Readable History of the Civil War !
Review: In telling the stories of Lee and Grant, Smith is really writing a neat book on the Civil War. I found this book to be very informative and highly readable. I especially enjoyed the chapter on Chancellorville. This is a pretty basic book. A good starting point for anyone interested in the Civil War or just looking for a good basic overview.

Rating:
Summary: Scottish Generals
Review: The genealogical material included in this book allows the reader to see that both of these generals were of Scottish extraction, both raised with honor, and both excellent examples of Scottish-American heroes.

Rating:
Summary: Well Formed
Review: There is not a lot new to be said about Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. They are, undoubtedly, two of the most documented men in History. What is more important, when tackling this subject, is presenting the subject matter in an interesting fashion. In this regard, Gene Smith succeeds.

By alternating chapters, between each of his subjects, the reader follows the lives of two men as they grow and develop. All the while knowing, they are destined to meet in ultimate contest.

Even more than the book's interesting structure, I was impressed with Smith's well formed thoughts. The narrative is never disjointed or piecemeal, and all details are presented in context to the two men's lives, manifesting in a highly readable work.

I laud Mr. Smith for an excellent effort. And I encourage readers, whether new or old to the subject of the Civil War, to read this book.