uberbutter's review
3.0
Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson by S.C. Gwynne
672 pages
★★★
Stonewall Jackson was a very prominent Confederate General in the American Civil War. He was quite the tactical man and because of him, many early battles went to the Confederates. When he was killed in 1863, at the age of 39, he was mourned by not just the south but the north. It was also the time that the south started to decline and the north would start to kick some butt and take some names. Many believe that the south may have taken it all had Stonewall survived. Of course, that is speculation, but regardless, neither side could deny the power that was Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
I have to admit, I know a lot about the Civil War. I took many college courses on it (I was a History major after all) but to say I know the ins and outs of the individuals that made it happen…I don’t. And I know even less about those on the Confederate side, so I was excited to pick up this book by S.C. Gwynne. I had read the author’s previous book, Empire of the Summer Moon, and it became a favorite – so I was hoping to feel the same magic with this one, but not so much. There really is A LOT of detail in this book, as you would expect with a nearly 700 pager, but it just seemed to drag at times. The author delves deeply into every major battle that Stonewall commanded and while interesting, by the 5th battle, it had become the same thing and I started losing track where we were in the scheme of things. I want to say I gave up and started skimming the battle scenes but alas, I read every page. Regardless, there is no denying this is a well-researched book and I did enjoy reading about the more personal aspects of this secretive General.
672 pages
★★★
Stonewall Jackson was a very prominent Confederate General in the American Civil War. He was quite the tactical man and because of him, many early battles went to the Confederates. When he was killed in 1863, at the age of 39, he was mourned by not just the south but the north. It was also the time that the south started to decline and the north would start to kick some butt and take some names. Many believe that the south may have taken it all had Stonewall survived. Of course, that is speculation, but regardless, neither side could deny the power that was Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
I have to admit, I know a lot about the Civil War. I took many college courses on it (I was a History major after all) but to say I know the ins and outs of the individuals that made it happen…I don’t. And I know even less about those on the Confederate side, so I was excited to pick up this book by S.C. Gwynne. I had read the author’s previous book, Empire of the Summer Moon, and it became a favorite – so I was hoping to feel the same magic with this one, but not so much. There really is A LOT of detail in this book, as you would expect with a nearly 700 pager, but it just seemed to drag at times. The author delves deeply into every major battle that Stonewall commanded and while interesting, by the 5th battle, it had become the same thing and I started losing track where we were in the scheme of things. I want to say I gave up and started skimming the battle scenes but alas, I read every page. Regardless, there is no denying this is a well-researched book and I did enjoy reading about the more personal aspects of this secretive General.
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