For Virginia

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a weighty tome that covers five very different Virginians during the Civil War. Three are soldiers: Robert E. Lee, “Stonewall” Jackson and Jeb Stuart. Two are civilians- Edmond Ruffin and John Wilkes Booth. They all played roles in the events both by their presence and sometimes by their absence. One fired the first shot of the conflict and one fired the final one. All were so vastly different and yet united in the cause of the Confederacy.
The book begins with John Brown and how his failed attempt at insurrection lit the fuse that would erupt into full blown war. Ruffin in fact was the man who fired the first shot in the conflict setting everything in motion. Booth killed Lincoln after it was all over and probably caused more suffering for the South than might have occurred under his Administration.
It’s an interesting book, filled with anecdotes and stories that shows these men at their finest and at their worst. As a student of the time, there were conclusions and assessments that are open to discussion. Even 150 years since the events, there are still sides drawn up as to upon whom blame must be placed for failures. If you read more than a few books on the subject the reader realizes quickly that there are still “camps” of supporters and naysayers.
If you are looking for a book that is the definitive discourse on the minutiae of every event, this is not your book. But if your view of history is like mine, that these are stories of real people who lived during these times, and their stories are far more compelling than details of military movements, you will enjoy For Virginia. I am only sorry we were limited to five men.
Four purrs and two paws up.