Robert E. Lee

Title: Robert E. Lee

Author: Manfred Weidborn
Publication Date: 1988
Page Count: 143
Type: Nonfiction (Biography)
Started On: 6/1/07
Finished On: 6/26/07
My Grade: B+


















Why did I decide to read this book?


The reason I decided to read the book Robert E. Lee was to educate myself more about General Lee. R. E. Lee has always been one of my favorite generals throughout the Civil War. I no a great deal already about Robert E. Lee, but there is always more information for me to discover. Robert E. Lee was a outstanding gentleman, christian, general, and the greatest characteristic of all was R. E. Lee lived his life with honor. I tend to read and study about certain people in history that were grand role models.




Who was the general subject of the book?




The general subject of the book was Robert E. Lee. The book Robert E. Lee took me threw his early years as a child clear till when Robert was an elderly man. The biography told me a great deal about his parents Anne Lee Carter and "Light-Horse Harry" Lee that I was unfamiliar with. There were chapters though out the book that were base pre and post Civil War, but mostly were about Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. Even though the subject of the biography was about Robert E. Lee it gave you a great deal of in site about other people in Robert's life.


What were some key events in this person's life?




One of the most important events in any person's life was that of his birth. Robert E. Lee was born in Stratford Hall Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia. On June 30, 1831 Robert married Mary Anna Randolph Custis. Lee was active during the Mexican-American War, and secured him a rank of Captain of Engineers, after the war. In 1852, Lee was Superintendent of West Point, were he graduated twenty-three years earlier. Lee took command over all Virginia forces on April 23, 1861. Lee suffered from a stroke on September 28, 1870 and two weeks later died of pneumonia on October 12, 1870. He is now buried under Lee Chapel at Washington Lee University.




What is the most interesting thing that I learned about this person? Why?




The most interesting thing that I learned about Lee was his way of honor. Honor has always been something that I have tried to live by. Some different examples of how I have used honor in my life is honoring my ancestors, relatives, home, and most important myself. I believe that self-discipline and determination have helped me succeed in sports. I also believe this would not have been possible without honor in my life.




Overall, was the information presented in an interesting way?




Yes, I believe overall it was presented in an interesting way. There would be certain parts in the book that I would change. One major part that I would change would be not focusing fully on his Civil War career. Yes, Lee's Civil War career was popular, but the book shouldn't have had his career as the center of attention. I would have liked for Manfred Weidborn to put more effort into finding information that people do not no. Aside from a couple of parts, the way Mr. Weidborn provided the information wasn't horrible.




What is the significance of the book's title? Is the title appropriate, or would I have changed it to something else?




I would have called it either the The Feared General or The War Legend. The reason that both of names consisted with war because like I said in the paragraph before the book was mostly about Lee's military career. Though Mr. Weidborn could not go wrong by calling his book Robert E. Lee, since the book is about Lee. I wish it wasn't such a dull name. A book about the Great General Lee deserves something more exciting.




What is my opinion about this book? Why?




My opinion of this book at an overall is good. I would suggest this book to any person wishing to read about General Robert Edward Lee. The book gave many facts that I did not know about Lee and it had battle maps from battles Lee was in, printed on the pages. The book had different images of important people in his life such as his parents, Thomas Jonathon Jackson, and his wife Anna. The believe the book would have been better if it had more information about his personal life. My overall grade for this book wood be a B+, good but needs more information.