General George E. Pickett in Life and Legend (Civil War America) - Tapa dura

[A] fascinating story of a mediocre military leader who became, through his wife 's efforts, one of the heroes of the Lost Cause."Journal of Southern History" [Gordon] carefully sifts through her various accounts and separates fact from fiction--and suggests the truths that reside in fiction."Journal of American History" [A] convincing assessment of George Pickett's place in Confederate history, an intriguing examination of his--and LaSalle's--character and personality."Civil War History" YGordon carefully sifts through her various accounts and separates fact from fiction--and suggests the truths that reside in fiction."Journal of American History" Gordon ably demonstrates Pickett's accomplishments and failures, and she corrects the numerous misconceptions about his life."Choice" YA convincing assessment of George Pickett's place in Confederate history, an intriguing examination of his--and LaSalle's--character and personality."Civil War History" YA fascinating story of a mediocre military leader who became, through his wifes efforts, one of the heroes of the Lost Cause."Journal of Southern History" "[A] convincing assessment of George Pickett's place in Confederate history, an intriguing examination of his--and LaSalle's--character and personality."Civil War History"" "[A] fascinating story of a mediocre military leader who became, through his wifeUs efforts, one of the heroes of the Lost Cause."Journal of Southern History"" "Gordon ably demonstrates Pickett's accomplishments and failures, and she corrects the numerous misconceptions about his life."Choice"" A unique look at one of the most famous Confederate generals."Kirkus Reviews" "A unique look at one of the most famous Confederate generals, and at how his wife built and controlled his memory after his death. Gordon's analysis of Lasalle [Pickett] is cutting and offers a close-up of a major figure of the Civil War. ("Kirkus Reviews)"

George E. Pickett is among the most famous Confederate generals of the Civil War. But even today he remains imperfectly understood, a figure shrouded in Lost Cause mythology. In this carefully researched biography, Lesley Gordon moves beyond earlier studies of Pickett. By investigating the central role played by his wife LaSalle in controlling his historical image, Gordon illuminates Pickett's legend as well as his life. After exploring Pickett's prewar life as a professional army officer trained at West Point, battle-tested in Mexico, and seasoned on the western frontier, Gordon traces his return to the South in 1861 to fight for the Confederacy. She examines his experiences during the Civil War, including the famed, but failed, charge at the battle of Gettysburg, and charts the decline in his career that followed. Rather than celebrate or try to rehabilitate her subjects, Gordon asks critical questions about the Picketts and the deep and long-lasting effects the war had on men and women, marriage, and social status.