The Seven Days

The Emergence of Robert E. Lee and the Dawn of a Legend

By: Clifford Dowdey

Narrated by: Nicholas Tecosky

The Seven Days Campaign was a series of battles fought near Richmond at the end of June 1862. General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia had routed General George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac. Depriving McClellan of a military decision meant the war would continue for two more years.

The Seven Days depicts a critical turning point in the Civil War that would ingrain Robert E. Lee in history as one of the finest generals of all time. Masterfully written, The Seven Days is Dowdey at his finest—detailed and riveting.

©1964, 2012 Clifford Dowdey. Copyright renewed 1992 by Carolyn Dunaway (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Contrarian view of both sides

Why did the producers, directors and sound engineers not correct the constant mispronuciations in this book? From the names of people a.d places to common adjectives the narrator is lacking when it comes to correct pronunciations.

Additionally, the author seems to revel in putting forward ideas about the state of mind of the generals that would require psychiatric diagnosis. Even the well understood and settled history is questioned in and attempt to assign different motivations to those involved.

A Southern Interpretation

A very good analysis of battle action. The performance is less than inspiring. Names, military terms, and multi syllabic words are regularly mangled, disrupting the story's flow. Many of the author's conclusions are questionable, forced as a result of his southern leanings.

Another Dowdey Classic

Wonderfully detailed story of the emergence of Lee written by a master of the art. It's always refreshing to read Clifford Dowdey's fact-based works in place of more modern, speculative authors.

Starting with the huge stroke of Confederate luck that saw Joe Johnston wounded and out of action, this is a great retelling of McClellan's dogged determination to avoid fighting at all cost coupled with impressive info on Lee's disorganization that prevented him from turning the series of battles into a complete rout.

The reader could've used some coaching on pronunciation before taking on this task (ex: an adjutant is not an "adjoodant" and a corps is not a "corpse" among many others). Distracting, but otherwise passable performance.

Listen while looking at a map

Would you consider the audio edition of The Seven Days to be better than the print version?

the print version would be better because it would have maps. Got confused trying to keep the many roads straight

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Seven Days?

the stupidity of some of the generals, especially McClellan, Joe Johnston

What about Nicholas Tecosky’s performance did you like?

He had a clear voice, but as a southerner I thought he read a little too fast. He pronounced the word "adjutant" very different from I have ever heard

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How a lot of soldiers died for stupid generals, but so it is in all wars

Mid 60's Analytical Account

Dowdey's text sounds more like a PhD dissertation of staff College analysis of the lead up to and fighting during the Seven Days. He explains Jackson's uncharacteristically lethargic performance as stress-related exhaustion (fair enough) and extends psychology into the study of other major characters. His central argument (largely accepted today) is that McClellan's campaign was the last chance to restore the Union as it was and that Lee's offensive was the last real chance for the South to end the war at a stroke. Both, in the end, failed. Lee was just learning about his army and had it nowhere near in hand or in control (which Dowdey attributes to having an inadequate to non-existant staff). While his central point is pretty well argued, it comes off as a bit deterministic. There were other potential opportunities. as late as 1864, to win by getting the Union to give up. Overall, this is a bit dated, if pretty solid work, though Dowdey's effort to participate in every historical argument regarding the campaign prevents him from keeping the audience always engaged in one of the most pivotal weeks in the war.

The history is terrific…

…Dowdey’s premise on McClellan fresh and insightful, but the narration is Gawd-awful! Tecosky obviously knows little about the accepted pronunciation of Civil War generals, even less about Virginia place names and, apparently nothing about the military word “adjutant”. Maddeningly inept…and disconcerting. Nonetheless, BRAVO to an author not afraid to reveal the radicalism of Republican firebrands intent upon promoting an agenda rather than promoting Union and peace.

Thrilling account of the battle for Richmond in 1862

Well written and well read. Lots of insight on both the military and political backdrops to the American Civil War. A vivid portrait of the protagonists and sustained action makes it difficult to press the stop button on this audiobook.

History Poorly Read

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The enjoyable history is made irritating by the narrator's pronunciation. While a number of the rivers around Richmond do have Indian names - every single one is mispronounced. This may be understandable, but to pronounce an army "corps" as "corpse", Jubal Early as "Jew-ball" and to read "coup de grace" as "cup dee grass" is simply ignorant.

What did you like best about this story?

Clifford Dowdey gives the traditional "Lost Cause" interpretation of the Civil War which dominated history books for a century after the War. Everything Lee and Jackson do is correct and moral, everything Johnston and Longstreet do is wrong and evil. But,once you accept where he is coming from, there is quite a bit of useful information here. It's also a refreshing look at McClellan, as the victim Little Mac saw himself.

Would you be willing to try another one of Nicholas Tecosky’s performances?

I found myself cringing at his pronunciation! Is English a second language for him?

Was The Seven Days worth the listening time?

Witin the above limitations.

Any additional comments?

No - I think I said it all.

A Very Pleasant Surprise

In the last ten years I have read more than several books about the Civil War. I had never heard of this author and thought maybe that was because he wasn't very good. Well I don't know why I haven't heard from him but it is not because of his lack of skill. He writes from the Southern point of view and sticks to the military history. Given those restrictions this was a very entertaining and informative book. He had a common sense point of view with a style that is more journalistic than literary.
His descriptions of the battles and the participants were very detailed and not dry at all. He was able to describe large group action in battles so well that I was able to create a picture in my mind and follow the action. He had many little details I had never heard before. James Longstreet one of the best large unit generals the South had been a paymaster in the old army.
The author makes a good argument for his premise that the Seven Days campaign made the Civil War last a year and a half longer. Lee drove McClellan away from Richmond when the Federal soldiers could hear the church bells of Richmond.
I especially enjoyed the author's biographical sketches of the leading participants. Many that are left out in other books, such as Benjamin Huger, get a thorough description from this author. I enjoyed the narration except for a couple of pronunciation mistakes. I know I will read and enjoy this book again. I recommend this book especially for Civil War buffs and I think that those looking for a well told story will enjoy it as well.

Biased. Better books on the topic available

I'd recommend Sears over this, it's more objective than this book with it's Lee worship.