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Book Summary

Reviewed by Tanya Smith

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson was ambitious and merciless as he led the Confederate Army to the brink of victory. Now, relive Jackson's thrilling military maneuvers in this interesting biography by acclaimed children's author Jean Fritz. Learn about the last hours of Jackson's life, cut short by friendly fire, and discover the childhood miseries that drove him to fight so fiercely.

Is It Any Good?

3

STONEWALL is a biography that will appeal most to history buffs, Civil War enthusiasts, and Jackson fans; the bulk of the book is devoted to the general's military exploits. The biography faithfully retraces Jackson's Civil War decisions and actions, and it is an excellent Civil War resource. But even for those not fascinated by the Civil War, it provides an interesting glimpse into the doomed general and reveals the motivations behind his many eccentric behaviors. His habit of standing and sitting erect (hence the nickname), for example, grew out of his belief that keeping his alimentary canal straight would improve his nervous stomach.

In general, Jean Fritz puts a positive spin on the respected Confederate general's life, and even his death: "Perhaps this was exactly the right moment to leave the scene, for certainly he did not doubt that the South would win the war."

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