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A good biography of Stonewall Jackson?  Rate Topic 
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 Posted: Tue Jul 8th, 2008 06:14 am
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IDIC
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Hi,

I would be very grateful if some of you could please recommend a good biography of Stonewall Jackson. I’m looking for one that is not only factual but is also a good read. Some of the ones I’m looking at are very big books and I don’t want to have to slog through hundreds of pages of very dry prose.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Colin

 

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 Posted: Tue Jul 8th, 2008 08:12 am
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fedreb
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"Stonewall Jackson. The Man The Soldier,The Legend" by James I Robertson is the definitive Jackson. It is over 760 pages but well worth the effort.
"Stonewall Jackson as Military Commander" by John Selby, a good deal shorter(238 pages), and containing some good photos and maps as well as double size, fold out battle maps. Excellent book.

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 Posted: Tue Jul 8th, 2008 12:57 pm
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Tom Wiehle
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 I will have to agree that Robertson's book on Stonewall is about as good as it gets.
Maybe a longer read, but well worth it!

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 Posted: Tue Jul 8th, 2008 03:10 pm
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David White
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Robertson's book is definitely the definitive book but I think he fell too much in love with his subject. For a more objective look at Jackson I would recommend Frank Vandiver's Mighty Stonewall

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 Posted: Wed Jul 9th, 2008 04:30 pm
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IDIC
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Thanks for your help guys, I've ordered the Robertson book from Amazon but I'll also look out for "Mighty Stonewall" as well.

Many Thanks :)

Colin

 

 

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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 08:38 pm
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BloodyBob64
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Another good book on Jackson is They Called Him Stonewall by Burke Davis. It is in narrative form and very interesting. Very easy read as well. Its like reading Shelby Foote but entirely on Jackson.

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 Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 09:05 pm
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ole
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Problem with Stonewall books is that most tend to be bit worshipful. I don't envy your task in finding an objective study that's an easy read. There is one out there, I just don't know which one it is.

ole

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 Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 12:51 am
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Captain Crow
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"Stonewall" by Byron Farwell is a pretty decent read and not too overly worshipful imo.

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 Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 07:40 am
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IDIC
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Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

I’m about 100 pages into the James Robertson book and, so far, I’ve got very few complaints. It is starting to get perhaps a wee bit worshipful but some of the myths and legends surrounding Jackson have already been blown wide open! For such a weighty tome that goes into so much detail I am pleased that the style of writing is so easily accessible.

 

Not having researched Jackson too deeply before I was surprised to learn that his religious beliefs did not come from his upbringing and that he was, in fact, an orphan. Hey, hang on, am I starting to admire the man just a wee bit?

 

One of the great things about this part of American history are the characters that shaped your nation and Jackson is certainly one of those!

 

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