Frock Coats and Epaulets: The Men Who Led the Confederacy

Rating:
Summary: A CIVIL WAR CLASSIC
Review: First published in 1963, Dr. Mapp's compact little book has become a Civil War classic. There are six compact biographies-four epaulets: Robert E. Lee, "Stonewall" Jackson, Joseph E. Johnston and Jeb Stuart, along with two frock coats: Jefferson Davis and Judah P. Benjamin. A qualifying phrase introduces the personality of each: for example, Jefferson Davis is introduced as "The Missing Grandfather" to explain the parvenu opposed to the established Virginia aristocracy. This book will not please everyone. Southron haters, defenders of Joseph E. Johnston and critics of Jefferson Davis are among the many who will disagree with Dr. Mapp. But is this not what a classic is supposed to do? The psycological study of the leaders of the Lost Cause is meant to be debated, to keep Civil War Round Tables buzzing for years. Most of the basic facts are well known to any student of the Confederacy; it is the way each individual is defined that is in dispute. The amazing thing to this reviewer is how prescient Dr. Mapp was in his evaluations, revealing interpretations that have only been recently accepted. Jefferson Davis, for example, has fared rather better in the last ten years than when Dr. Mapp was researching this book. Not mentioned in his updated bibliography but essential are the current volumes of the Davis papers edited by the brilliant Lynda Lasswell Crist. Yet, Dr. Mapp anticipated Jefferson Davis' strengths (as well as weaknesses) that have later been affirmed by Frank Vandiver and his recent biographers. More surprising perhaps is his evaluation of Robert E. Lee. Although indebted to Douglas Freeman (as indeed who is not) he anticipates Thomas L. Connelly (in THE MARBLE MAN) by his discussion of Lee's stuggle to master his volatile emotions and does not hesitate to criticise him. I find the section on "Stonewall" Jackson good but wish James I.Robertson had been used to explain some of the general's eccentricities. I was priviledged to see Dr. Robertson on televison and believe he was able to fathom the elusive personality better than anyone. The very fact that Jackson was not loved, did not even know what love was, surely contributed to a behaviour that was distinctly his own. I was pleased to discover Eli N. Evans' Judah P. Benjamin in his bibliography but it does not seem that Dr. Mapp used it in his book. The section on Benjamin, in my opinion is the weakest in the book-almost a caricature. On the otherhand, the section on Joseph E. Johnston is easily the most controversial and will inspire lively, heated debates. I wonder why Craig L. Symonds excellent biography was not quoted, but like most critics I admit to being prone to push my favorites. The Jeb Stuart section is long on antedote but thin on interpretation. Perhaps a twice-told tale, but colourful and dramatic all the same, especially when a master paints word pictures The bibliography is short but a dream. I own,and have read 90% of it and most of the classics are listed: Bruce Catton, Frank Vandiver, Henry S. Commager, Clifford Dowdey, T. Harry Williams, Emory Thomas etc. Old friends to most of us. Still I miss Bell Wiley,Thomas Connelly's two volumes on the army of Tennessee, and most of all Richard E. Beringer (and others) WHY THE SOUTH LOST THE CIVIL WAR, especially "The big Man" thesis and the crisis in religious faith. There is much to comment, argue and admire, but I want to apologize to Dr. Mapp for not buying his book when it first came out.Perhaps the title was rather off-putting, or the fact I owned most of the major biographies and thought the book superficial. Short it is, superficial it most assuredly is not

Rating:
Summary: A CIVIL WAR CLASSIC
Review: First published in 1963, Dr. Mapp's concise little book has become a Civil War classic. There are six compact biographies-four epaulets: Robert E. Lee, "Stonewall" Jackson, Joseph E. Johnston and Jeb Stuart; along with two frock coats:Jefferson Davis and Judah P, Benjamin. A qualifying phrase is used,for example,Davis is introduced with the heading "The Missing Grandfather"explain the parvenu as opposed to the aristocrats of Virginia. This book will not please everyone. Southron haters, defenders of Joseph E. Johnston, critics of Jefferson Davis are among the many that will disagree with Dr. Mapp. But is this not what classics are supposed to do? This psycological study is meant to be controversial and keep Civil War Round Tables buzzing for years. Most of the basic facts are well known to any student of he Confederacy; it is the way each individual is defined that is in debate. The amazing thing to this reviewer is how prescient Dr. Mapp was in his evaluations, revealing interpretations that have only recently been accepted. Jefferson Davis, for example, has fared rather better in the last few years than when Dr. Mapp was researching his book. Not mentioned in his updated biography but essential in understanding Jefferson Davis are the current volumes of his papers edited by the brilliant Lynda Lasswell Crist. Yet,Dr. Mapp anticipated Jefferson Davis' strengths (as well as weaknesses) that have been confirmed by such authors as Frank Vandiver and his recent biographers. More surprising perhaps is his evaluation of Robert E. Lee. Although indebted to Douglas Freeman (as indeed who is not) he anticipates Thomas Connelly (THE MARBLE MAN...)discussing Lee's struggle to master his volatile emotions and does not hesitate to criticise. I find the section on "Stonewall" Jackson good but wish James I Robertson Jr. had been used to explain the general's eccentricities. I was priviledged to see Dr. Robertson on the television and believe he was able to fathom the elusive personality better than anyone. The very fact that Jackson was not loved, did not even know what love was, surely contributed to a behaviour distinctly his own. I was pleased to find Eli N. Evans' book in the section on Judah P. Benjamin, but it does not seem Dr. Mapp used it in his book. Benjamin, in my opinion, is the weakest of the sections-almost a caricature. On the otherhand, the Joseph E. Johnston is easily the most controversial and will arouse heated and lively debates for a long time. I wonder why Craig Symonds biography was not listed but I am,like most critics,prone to push my favorites.The Jeb Stuart section is long on antedote but rather thin on interpretation. Perhaps a twice-told tale, but colourful and dramatic all the same, especially when a master paints word pictures. The bibliography is short but a dream. I own , and have read 90% of it,most of the classics are listed: Bruce Catton, Henry S. Commager, Frank Vandiver, Clifford Dowdey, T. Harry Williams, Emory Thomas etc. Old friends to most of us. Still, I miss Bell Wiley, Allan Nevins, Thomas Connelly's two volumes on the army of Tennessee, and most of all Richard Beringer's (and others) WHY THE SOUTH LOST THE CIVIL WAR, especially "the Big Man" thesis and the crisis in religious faith. There is much to admire, criticise and debate but I want to apologize to Dr. Mapp for not purchasing his book when it first came out. Perhaps the title was rather off-putting, or the fact I owned the major biographies and thought the book superficial. Short it is, superficial it most assuredly is not.