Frock Coats and Epaulets: Psychological Portraits of Confederate Military and Political Leaders

by Alf J. Mapp Jr.

Book Overview

The passion of Robert E. Lee and the puritan streak in cavalier J. E. B. Stuart are only two of the surprises in Alf J. Mapp Jr.'s highly regarded psychological analysis of Confederate military and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1450240291
• ISBN13: 9781450240291
• Release Date: March 2011
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 516 Pages
• Weight: 1.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A CIVIL WAR CLASSIC

First published in 1963, Dr. Mapp's concise little book has become a Civil War classic. There are six compact biographies-four epaulets: Robert E. Lee, "Stonewall" Jackson, Joseph E. Johnston and Jeb Stuart; along with two frock coats:Jefferson Davis and Judah P, Benjamin. A qualifying phrase is used,for example,Davis is introduced with the heading "The Missing Grandfather"explain the parvenu as opposed to the aristocrats of Virginia. This book will not please everyone. Southron haters, defenders of Joseph E. Johnston, critics of Jefferson Davis are among the many that will disagree with Dr. Mapp. But is this not what classics are supposed to do? This psycological study is meant to be controversial and keep Civil War Round Tables buzzing for years. Most of the basic facts are well known to any student of he Confederacy; it is the way each individual is defined that is in debate. The amazing thing to this reviewer is how prescient Dr. Mapp was in his evaluations, revealing interpretations that have only recently been accepted. Jefferson Davis, for example, has fared rather better in the last few years than when Dr. Mapp was researching his book. Not mentioned in his updated biography but essential in understanding Jefferson Davis are the current volumes of his papers edited by the brilliant Lynda Lasswell Crist. Yet,Dr. Mapp anticipated Jefferson Davis' strengths (as well as weaknesses) that have been confirmed by such authors as Frank Vandiver and his recent biographers. More surprising perhaps is his evaluation of Robert E. Lee. Although indebted to Douglas Freeman (as indeed who is not) he anticipates Thomas Connelly (THE MARBLE MAN...)discussing Lee's struggle to master his volatile emotions and does not hesitate to criticise. I find the section on "Stonewall" Jackson good but wish James I Robertson Jr. had been used to explain the general's eccentricities. I was priviledged to see Dr. Robertson on the television and believe he was able to fathom the elusive personality better than anyone. The very fact that Jackson was not loved, did not even know what love was, surely contributed to a behaviour distinctly his own. I was pleased to find Eli N. Evans' book in the section on Judah P. Benjamin, but it does not seem Dr. Mapp used it in his book. Benjamin, in my opinion, is the weakest of the sections-almost a caricature. On the otherhand, the Joseph E. Johnston is easily the most controversial and will arouse heated and lively debates for a long time. I wonder why Craig Symonds biography was not listed but I am,like most critics,prone to push my favorites.The Jeb Stuart section is long on antedote but rather thin on interpretation. Perhaps a twice-told tale, but colourful and dramatic all the same, especially when a master paints word pictures. The bibliography is short but a dream. I own , and have read 90% of it,most of the classics are listed: Bruce Catton, Henry S. Commager, Frank Vandiver, Clifford Dowdey, T. Harry Will