A new favorite book... I learned a lot about the Civil War, particularly about some of its main players. It seems that although both the Johnnies and the bluebellies fought for the Cause, there were personal issues that trumped whatever reasons drove them to war. For Lee, duty was towards Virginia above all else. A believer in offensive tactics, his age and growing tiredness, along with years of war that produced too many deaths, affect his judgment. Longstreet, who discerns the war clearly but lacks the power of persuasion, is also haunted by the deaths of his children and by commanding against people he knows. Chamberlain is a valiant soldier, but struggles with putting his brother in the face of danger. And Armistead longs to see his good friend Win Hancock again, but dies in Pickett's Charge.
I cannot imagine having fought in this war, but the men had a special camaraderie I enjoyed reading about. Spirit, jokes, drink, and songs percolated both camps, in contrast to the fierceness with which they tried killing each other in battle after battle.
The way this book details what each man was like, their personal thoughts and problems, in addition to their war movements and decisions, is what makes this book wonderful.
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