Lee the American

By Gamaliel Bradford

Book Overview

"Lee the American" is a profound biographical study of one of the most complex and revered figures in United States history, General Robert E. Lee. Written by Gamaliel Bradford, a master of the psychographic method, this work moves beyond simple chronological reporting to explore the inner character, moral fiber, and spiritual essence of the Confederate leader. Through a series of thematic investigations, Bradford examines Lee's relationships with his family, his soldiers, his peers, and the nation he served, offering a nuanced portrait of a man defined by duty and personal integrity.

The narrative captures the essence of Lee not merely as a military strategist, but as a symbolic figure of Southern identity and subsequent national reconciliation. Bradford's insightful analysis provides a deep look into the psychological pressures of command during the American Civil War and the quiet dignity of Lee's post-war life. By focusing on Lee's virtues and the internal conflicts he faced, "Lee the American" remains a significant contribution to the field of historical biography.

This classic work serves as a vital resource for readers interested in the human dimension of the Civil War and the enduring legacy of its most famous general. It provides a timeless examination of the qualities that shaped a man who became a central icon of the American experience.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025785614
• ISBN13: 9781025785615
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 358 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

An interesting view......

Robert E. Lee remains one of the most well-studied men in the history of the world. This fine book was first published in 1912; it has, of course, been superseded by "R.E. Lee", Douglas Southall Freeman's definitive four volume work. Even when written, it was far from the first study of General Lee. But, this was the first biography by a Yankee, a highly distinguished author from Massachusetts. Dr. Bradford's people had fought against General Lee...removed from the veneration shown by some of our Southern authors, including Dr. Freeman, the respect of the author for his subject is all the more impressive. The work is divided into sections, chronological, and by subject. Lee's early years, and service in Mexico, are well covered. The agony that General Lee faced when following Virginia out of the Union is poignant. Dr. Bradford earned my respect by stating that he hoped he would have the courage to follow Massachusetts if ever faced with the choice. Various aspects of Lee's relationships during the war are covered by section...his dealings with Jeff Davis, the civil government, the Army, his family, Stonewall Jackson. There is a superb chapter on just how the General approached a battle, though this is not a comprehensive military history. See "Lee's Lieutenants". General Lee was a difficult man to know, which Dr. Bradford points out quite well. He suffered a miserable marriage, which the author is decent enough to keep quiet. A whole chapter is given to Lee's profound Christian faith, the real secret of how he kept going. His years at Washington College [now Washington and Lee] are impressively studied; he wanted to help young men be good citizens of one nation. This is an excellent, though short, work. It should not be anybody's first, or only, study of General Lee; Dr. Freeman took care of that. It may be tough to find [I got mine in the NPS bookstore at Appomattox]. Still, if you want a well written, respectful, and fairly complete, study of the greatest soldier who ever lived, it will well repay your time.

Lee from a very personal perspective

This book differs from the many, many biographies of Lee in that it focuses on his psyche rather than his experiences. The author attemps to analyze the character himself in his various roles as soldier, leader, husband, father, private citizen, university president, etc. The writing style did not please me as much as the content. It was interesting to see the different facets of the man presented separately and with supporting documentation from Lee's own recorded words and the anecdotes of others. For those who cannot get enough of Robert E. Lee, this a good addition to the bookshelf.