Robert E. Lee - (Penguin Lives Biographies) by Roy Blount (Paperback)

About the Book

Fascinated by what made Lee such a charismatic though reluctant leader, Blount delves into the influences of Lee's illustrious but scandal-clouded ancestry: his hero-turned-scapegrace father, and his beloved, beautiful, husband-forsaken mother.

Book Synopsis

A "witty, lively and wholly fascinating" (The New York Times) portrait of an iconic Southern hero

With lively storytelling and full-hearted Southern directness, Roy Blount, Jr., presents a unique portrait of Robert E. Lee. Fascinated by the qualities that made Lee such a charismatic, though reluctant, leader, Blount vividly conveys Lee's audacity and uncanny successes in battle, as well as his humility, his quirky sense of humor, and the sorrowful sense of responsibility he felt for his outnumbered, half-starved army. The first concise biography of this American legend, Robert E. Lee will appeal to history and military buffs, students of Southern culture, and every reader curious about the makeup of a man who has become an American icon.

Review Quotes

An excellent, concise biography of Lee, one that will surely satisfy the general reader looking for a well-written and accessible account. (The Denver Post)

A meditation on the life of a hero too human to be left to hagiographers. (The Dallas Morning News)

About the Author

Roy Blount, Jr., grew up in Georgia and served in the army before becoming a celebrated humorist and cultural journalist. He has written for magazines as diverse as Sports Illustrated and The New York Review of Books and is the author of numerous books that include his recent memoir Be Sweet.