Jefferson Davis, Confederate President

Rating:
Summary: Dry and dull but somewhat informative.
Review: Do not be confused by the title for this book is not a biography of Jefferson Davis. It is a biography of the Confederate government with Davis at the helm. There is some new information to be found in this book but not much and unfortunately most of the new information will be found in the form of a psychological profile of Davis. Of course the reader will find a few tidbits of interest such as the price the government would pay in certain parts of Georgia for sweet potatoes. Sadly, that is about the most interesting bit of new information one will find and one will have to persevere to get to that information for the writing is dry as dust.

In fact, most of the information in this book comes from William Davis and William Cooper who have written excellent studies on both Davis and his era. To the authors' credit they don't try to hide this fact as again and again they openly repeat what Davis and Cooper have written. The sad but true conclusion I have come to is that one would be far better off to buy books written by William Davis and William Cooper. I have read both authors and their writing is much more clear and to the point than anything that will be found in this book. The only parts of this book I really found interesting dealt with the operation of the Confederate congress. On this book's strength on that subject alone I have to give this book three stars although two were a distinct possibility. Quite frankly, I get the feeling that the authors' ego may have gotten the best of them as they wrote this book. If they will stop trying to impress the boys at Harvard and Vanderbilt these two gentlemen could do much to further the study of the Confederacy. When not quoting W. Davis or W. Cooper their research is first rate but they have got to loosen up and have fun with their work. Then maybe their readers will be able to enjoy their subject as much as the authors have.

Rating:
Summary: Dry and dull but somewhat informative.
Review: Do not be confused by the title for this book is not a biography of Jefferson Davis. It is a biography of the Confederate government with Davis at the helm. There is some new information to be found in this book but not much and unfortunately most of the new information will be found in the form of a psychological profile of Davis. Of course the reader will find a few tidbits of interest such as the price the government would pay in certain parts of Georgia for sweet potatoes. Sadly, that is about the most interesting bit of new information one will find and one will have to persevere to get to that information for the writing is dry as dust.

In fact, most of the information in this book comes from William Davis and William Cooper who have written excellent studies on both Davis and his era. To the authors' credit they don't try to hide this fact as again and again they openly repeat what Davis and Cooper have written. The sad but true conclusion I have come to is that one would be far better off to buy books written by William Davis and William Cooper. I have read both authors and their writing is much more clear and to the point than anything that will be found in this book. The only parts of this book I really found interesting dealt with the operation of the Confederate congress. On this book's strength on that subject alone I have to give this book three stars although two were a distinct possibility. Quite frankly, I get the feeling that the authors' ego may have gotten the best of them as they wrote this book. If they will stop trying to impress the boys at Harvard and Vanderbilt these two gentlemen could do much to further the study of the Confederacy. When not quoting W. Davis or W. Cooper their research is first rate but they have got to loosen up and have fun with their work. Then maybe their readers will be able to enjoy their subject as much as the authors have.