OT- Civil War Books

[Beetle]

I know this is not fishing related but I just finished two pretty good books. 

The first is a biography of Stonewall Jackson by James "Bud" Robertson of Va Tech.  This is perhaps the most thorough and detailed biography I have read in some time.  It follows Jackson from his orphaned childhood to the Mexican War- then onto VMI and the Civil War.  The real beauty of this book is the insight into Jackson the man- not just the Lt. General.  And it isn't a blue-sky feel good account either as Robertson takes every effort to explore Jackson objectively.  I could not recommend this book highly enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Stonewall-Jackson-Man-Soldier-Legend/dp/0028646851/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199974861&sr=8-2


The second is An Honorable Defeat by William C. Davis also of Va Tech.  This piece details the last days of the Confederate goverment beginning with Lee's surrender at Appomattox (this was not the end of the war as most people believe) to the capture of Jefferson Davis and other Confederate leaders.  The book closely follows the escape of Judah Benjamin (sec of state) and John Breckenridge (sec of war) throught the south to Florida- and eventually to Cuba.  The military content is kept to a minimum to highlight the anxiety and despair faced by Southerners as the Confederacy crumbled.  In a very interesting twist- it gives insight into Federal leaders and portrays Grant, Sherman and Lincoln as the South's best advocates in reaching a peaceful solution.  It's a fairly broad brush so it moves quickly.


http://www.amazon.com/Honorable-Defeat-Last-Confederate-Government/dp/B0002D6CX4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199974948&sr=1-1