Robert E. Lee at War: Tragic Secessionist

Building upon his noted work in the award-winning Last Chance for Victory: Robert E. Lee and the Gettysburg Campaign, Scott Bowden has now undertaken the most in-depth and exhaustive study of Robert E. Lee's generalship.

Robert E. Lee at War presents a fresh and compelling portrait of the true warrior that is sure to illuminate his legacy for generations to come. By mining fresh sources, and in adhering to a rigorous historical methodology, Bowden's account of General Lee emerges to be as necessary as it is original. The story of Lee's decision-making is laid before the reader, and his relationship with his key lieutenants, along with the complicated and strained relationship with Confederate President Jefferson Davis, appears in fresh, new light.

Never before addressed topics include a complete analysis of Lee's art of war. Also, and for the first time, Bowden explains in great detail Lee's ongoing efforts to craft and reorganize the army he inherited from Joe Johnston-a force unevenly led and inefficiently organized-into a modern and fierce fighting machine known as the Army of Northern Virginia.