R. E. Lee: Volume One

By: Douglas Southall Freeman

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

R. E. Lee by Douglas Southall Freeman was the recipient of the 1935 Pulitzer Prize for Literature. It was a richly deserved honor, for Freeman's biography of the distinguished Virginian went on to become one of the most celebrated of all American biographies, a favorite of General George Marshall and President Dwight Eisenhower, among many others. Since his death, thousands of American soldiers have sought to emulate Lee's example of virtue, courage, and duty. This four-volume masterpiece traces Lee's life from his birth in 1807 at the ancestral Lee home of Stratford to his final years as the president of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, where he was buried in 1870. Volume One carries us from Lee's childhood through his youth as a cadet at West Point, his slow but steady advance in the US Army Corps of Engineers, his spectacular record under General Winfield Scott during the Mexican War, his superintendency of West Point, and so on up to the point where Lee has made the difficult and painful decision to resign his commission in the US Army in order to remain with his beloved state of Virginia...for him, his "nation".

After organizing the state's defenses and attempting unsuccessfully to keep Western Virginia within the control of Virginia, Lee is sent southward to inspect and build up the coastal defenses all the way to Florida. The volume ends with Lee's recall to Richmond as the Federal army under McClellan mounts its first invasion of Virginia.

Freeman's writing style is termed "fog-of-war history". The listener knows only what Lee knows at the time he knows and understands events. We follow Lee's development of strategy in the environment into which he had been thrust. Listeners are urged to follow battles using the maps which Freeman himself drew, and which are included in the accompanying downloadable PDF document.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©1934 Charles Scribners Sons (P)2017 Audio Connoisseur

Critic reviews

"Lee complete for all time." ( The New York Times)

Enthralling!

Freeman brings Lee to life, and tells his story in such a way that you learn more of the man than you may anywhere else, but while feeling that you are reading an historical novel.

Looking forward to volume 2

I drive about 40k miles a year and this epic biography has been on my bucket list for too long. I wasn’t halfway through the book when I bought the four volume hard cover on eBay so I could really read it again.

Though exposition of Robert E. Lee

What a man!!He was a gentleman to all he came in contact with. He was brilliant.

Pleasantly surprised

I'm a massive civil war fan but was hesitant to buy this book based solely on the length and the time it was published. I didn't think a book that came out in c. 1930s would be very relatable, although it certainly seemed like a strong source. Having completed the book, I must say that the story flows extremely well and made for easy listening.

This book covers Lee's life from birth right up until he travels to Richmond in 1862 to take over as Jefferson Davis' chief military advisor. This means that it completely omits the portion of his life that people today know him for. He was a man of much more depth, whose life was a more intricate story than those who learned of him solely as General Lee CSA will understand.

From designing coastal fortifications along the Atlantic coast, to the Mexican War where he escaped brushes with death on multiple counts, to becoming commandant at West Point, Lee served in every military post for a nation that he would ultimately be forced to turn his back upon. He did this, not because he believed in the perpetuation of slavery or because he advocated for secession, but because his first duty was always to his state and he was consigned to share in Virginia's misfortunes.

A fantastic audiobook, well narrated, that tells the story of one of the USA's most tragic military commanders.

Wonderful look at the development of a man

This first volume is devoted to the development of Lee from his birth until the early phases of the War Between the States. The book is extraordinarily detailed and looks at everything that the author can get his hands on to try and open up the soul of the man. And by detail, I mean that Freeman looks at Lee's library records at West Point in order to gain insights into the way Lee thinks.

The narration is clear and well paced. It is a real pleasure to listen to. I'm of the impression that the calm and dignified manner of the subject of this text has had an influence on Freeman's words and Griffin's narration. It is without any violent and overly emotive expression.

Classic

If you study the Civil War or you’re curious about the man, Robert E Lee, this is vol 1 of the classic Pulitzer Prize winner by Douglas Southall Freeman. The discipline that shows through is amazing. Freeman spent over 20 years researching and writing the four volume set. Can’t wait for the other three volumes on audible. This is a must listen/read and a ready reference for the student of the Civil War.

From The First Day To Just Before The Seven Days

A straightforward, workmanlike narrative that takes us through the first fifty-five years of Lee's life, ending with his recall to Richmond in 1862. We follow Lee throughout his prewar career, so we get some dull chapters about river engineering as well as more interesting adventures such as Harper's Ferry.

There was one close call in the Mexican War that I'm amazed he survived. It fascinates me, the little chance events that history is contingent on.

Freeman does seem to have had some bias in favor of his subject, especially noticable when discussing Lee's interaction with slavery, but not so bad that I doubt the general accuracy of what I'm listening to.

A solid biography book, solidly narrated.

Slow

Read to slow lost interest after a couple of hours. Kind of disappointed I was excited at first

Bad narration.

I listen to a lot of audiobooks. Mostly historical books. I have enjoyed all of the audiobooks I have bought with the exception of this one. The narrator makes it really hard for me to listen to. The book is interesting (clearly an affinity for Lee) but the narrator gets on my nerves. Reminds me of someone who thinks very highly of himself.