The Man Who Would Not Be Washington

November 17, 2014
Robert E. Lee was frequently compared to George Washington, not only because of his personality and “military genius” but also because he married Washington’s granddaughter, and his father had a close relationship with the Founding Father. But at the start of the Civil War, Lee made a decision that made such a comparison highly controversial: Lee rejected the Union and loyally followed Virginia into the Confederacy, despite his personal opposition to secession. Horn, a former White House speechwriter, puts a captivating spin on Lee’s story by comparing and contrasting the two great men. Detailed yet accessible descriptions of battles are coupled with stories of Lee’s personal life, revealing a man as complex as the war he reluctantly joined. Horn also points out the reverence for Washington during this time, and the way each side claimed him as their own. In the book’s oddly underdeveloped final strides, Horn condemns Lee for not following his initial opposition to rebellion, for “not being Washington.” That flaw aside, Horn takes a fair and equitable approach to Lee, his life, and his struggle over participation in a war that tore apart the nation.

November 15, 2014

Horn's (former White House presidential speechwriter) thematic biography captures the many facets of Robert E. Lee's crowded life (1807-70). In it, the author covers Lee's constricted childhood caused by his father's abandonment of the family; his brilliant record at West Point; his protracted courtship with Mary Custis, the daughter of G.W.P. Custis, George Washington's adopted son; his marriage and numerous postings around the country as military engineer; his roles in the war with Mexico and as superintendent of West Point. Horn further delves into the man's refusal of General-in-Chief Winfield Scott's pleas to remain with the Union; his rise up the rebel chain of command from early victories to the Gettysburg defeat and subsequent military disasters; and his surrender at Appomattox together with his later career as a college president. Embedded throughout this fine work are adroit comparisons between George Washington and Lee. The author's superb epilog traces the subsequent unsuccessful attempts to tie Lee to the Washington legacy and memorialize his life in stone, concluding: "Because Lee was the man who would not be Washington-every child born as lowly as Lincoln can dream of being a Washington. Because Lee could not have his own way, we might all have ours." VERDICT A seminal contribution of significant historiographical value. Recommended for Old South and Civil War scholars, Lee biography enthusiasts, a lay audience, and all libraries. [See Prepub Alert, 7/21/14.]--John Carver Edwards, formerly with Univ. of Georgia Libs.

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