Rebel Yell (S.C. Gwynne)

Rebel Yell is a biography of Confederate General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.  Robert E. Lee's "right-hand man" during much of the early part of the American Civil War (1861-1865), Jackson's leadership and expertise were essential in the South's early (and surprising) victories over the better-equipped, numerically-superior Union Army.  The book covers what [I assume] most biographies do- "the man and his times," starting with Jackson's birth and summarizing his formative years in (now West) Virginia, his Army career, VMI professorship, marriages (his first wife died in childbirth), religious views (he was an ardent Christian) and his early-war victories in the Shenandoah valley. Jackson died from complications of bullet wounds shortly after the Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1863), and the South's fortunes changed just months later in the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863).  In retrospect, some view his death as the beginning of the end of the Confederate cause.

Jackson's leadership style was effective and bears further mention.  His 'hit hard and move fast' battle style took the Union by surprise on many occasions, and he got the most out of his meager force.  Odds didn't matter to him- I'm not sure he ever engaged in battle with superior numbers. Impossibly long forced marches, courageous stands, fast attacks, and other elements stood in stark contrast to his tentative and slow-moving opponents.  He was stern and demanded much of his men, but cared for them.  He 'fought from the front,' and led by example.  He was humble (mostly), and attributed his victories to God.  Had he commanded a Union Corps, the war may have been over much sooner.

S.C. Gwynne is a self-acknowledged amateur historian, but he does a great job here.  He writes well, and presents what I believe to be a balanced account of both Jackson and the Civil War up to Jackson's death (I'm not well read on either, but his account seems to give fair treatment to both sides).  Much of the book, perhaps unsurprisingly, is about Jackson's Civil War battles.  Those parts seem less about the man and more about his tactics- but it was interesting.  Overall, Jackson was a brilliant yet enigmatic man, and I enjoyed learning more about him.

Rating: A