Lee Considered

“This book will change our perception of the South’s premier icon. With a deft pen and a sure grasp of the essential questions, Alan Nolan separates the Lee of reality from the Lee of mythology. No student of the Civil War can afford to ignore the challenging and controversial conclusions of this study.” — James M. McPherson, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Battle Cry of Freedom: The Era of the Civil War

“Nolan doesn’t question Lee’s undeniable greatness. [He] subjects the sources to brutal cross examinations. . . . His purpose is to place Lee within his proper historical context. . . . Nolan asks the right questions about Lee, especially his generalship.” — Peter S. Carmichael, Civil War Times

“Nolan dethrones the myth of 'the Marble Man' with meticulous research.” — New Republic

“Any future author dealing with Lee will have to face up to Nolan’s material and we will all be the better for it.” — Washington Post

“General readers as well as Civil War buffs will enjoy serving as the jury for Mr. Nolan’s case, evaluating the documents and incidents he presents as evidence for his conclusions. His argument is a persuasive one, artfully fashioned to stimulate the critical assessment he seeks.” — New York Times Book Review

“Alan Nolan has rendered an invaluable service in training a judicious lens on various elements of the traditional interpretation of Robert E. Lee. Was Lee a reluctant convert to secession? Did he oppose the institution of slavery? Did he abhor war, hold no bitterness toward his northern opponents, and urge reconciliation after Appomattox? Did Lee’s record on the battlefield justify his towering military reputation? Nolan’s rigorous examination of the evidence suggests answers that cannot be dismissed lightly and certainly will provoke controversy. Lee Considered should be required reading for anyone who would understand the Confederacy’s most famous soldier.” — Gary W. Gallagher