The Lees of Virginia

While visiting Lee Chapel on Lee’s birthday this past Friday, I picked up a copy of Paul Nagel’s The Lees of Virginia: Seven Generations of an American Family. Though first published in 1989, this new edition has been released with a new introduction commemorating Robert E. Lee’s bicentennial birthday. The last four chapters of the book are devoted to General Lee. I’ve just read a couple of chapters, but I believe it is going to be very interesting. It’s not an easy read, but not a difficult one either and moves along rather nicely with lots of details about the Lees.

I’ve posted several quotes from the book below. These are noteworthy in light of the utterly ridiculous, revisionist, character assaulting statements that some “Civil War” bloggers, “historians”, protestors, and others with a certain agenda, have made about General Lee.

• “I believe the authentic Robert E. Lee is found in the roles he cherished—as son, brother, cousin, husband, and father.” (Page vii)

• “For Lee, a Virginian who loved the Union and who deplored the presence of slavery, the decision which the federal government demanded of him was agonizing.” (Page xvi)

• “Public opinion today generally reveres the name of General Robert E. Lee.” (Page xvi)

• “Robert believed no one could cogently deny that bondage was a moral and political evil, and that it was a greater curse for whites than blacks.” (Page 263)

• “Yet with all of this bountiful regard for Robert Lee, few of his admirers have detected that special quality setting him apart from other members of his clan—and from most of us. It came from a quiet achievement which, more than his military attainments, should command our admiration and affection. Unlike the biblical figure of Job, Robert did not quarrel when God seemed to forsake him. Instead, he quietly accepted defeat and despair, while trusting Heaven to make all things work eventually for good. By patiently serving and hoping, Robert E. Lee gave America its greatest lesson in valor.” (Page 305)

And, no, Mr. Nagel is not an apologist for the “Lost Cause” as some cynics might assume. Nagel has been a university professor, a college dean, and one time director of the Virginia Historical Society. He has been designated a Cultural Laureate of Virginia. Nagel is also a contributing editor for American Heritage and a fellow of the Society of American Historians. Fortunately, America still has some historians who aren’t afraid of the truth and who don’t see their mission in life as “re-interpreting history” and denigrating our heroes. The year of Lee continues.

I will be writing a complete review of the book once I’ve finished reading it.