Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson

S. C. Gwynne

Sep 2014 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, the epic New York Times bestselling account of how Civil War general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson became a great and tragic national hero.

Stonewall Jackson has long been a figure of legend and romance. As much as any person in the Confederate pantheon—even Robert E. Lee—he embodies the romantic Southern notion of the virtuous lost cause. Jackson is also considered, without argument, one of our country’s greatest military figures. In April 1862, however, he was merely another Confederate general in an army fighting what seemed to be a losing cause. But by June he had engineered perhaps the greatest military campaign in American history and was one of the most famous men in the Western world. Jackson’s strategic innovations shattered the conventional wisdom of how war was waged; he was so far ahead of his time that his techniques would be studied generations into the future.

In his “magnificent Rebel Yell…S.C. Gwynne brings Jackson ferociously to life” (New York Newsday) in a swiftly vivid narrative that is rich with battle lore, biographical detail, and intense conflict among historical figures. Gwynne delves deep into Jackson’s private life and traces Jackson’s brilliant twenty-four-month career in the Civil War, the period that encompasses his rise from obscurity to fame and legend; his stunning effect on the course of the war itself; and his tragic death, which caused both North and South to grieve the loss of a remarkable American hero.

Ratings and reviews

I didn't know much about the civil war but then read "Hymns of the Republic" by the same author. My dad then recommended this one. I was so intrigued. I felt like I could sense his personality like I had known him. He was completely honest to himself and to say he was a devout Christian would be an understatement. A lot of credit goes to Robert E. Lee for the souths great showing in the civil war despite being undermanned and outgunned. As roughly said in this book, Lee was the brains but Jackson was the iron fist to carry out his plans. I don't think the civil war would have gone for four years if Jackson would not have been the right-hand man in the south. I highly recommend this book.

Gwynne is a wonderful writer. As a true Civil War buff this was one of those books I couldn't put down. Terrific research ad well!

I really enjoyed, good read.

About the author

S.C. Gwynne is the author of His Majesty’s Airship, Hymns of the Republic, and the New York Times bestsellers Rebel Yell and Empire of the Summer Moon, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. He spent most of his career as a journalist, including stints with Time as bureau chief, national correspondent, and senior editor, and with Texas Monthly as executive editor. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife.