Lee Freeman's one volume abridgements good for time-stressed general reader?

[51st Georgia]

I have the one volume abridgements of Lee and Lee's Lieutenants. I realize the obvious best course would be to read the full four and three volume sets respectively, but I have nowhere near that level of time.
For the general reader with a good general knowledge of the people and events covered, would I be satisfied with the abridgements, or am I really missing the crucial information by reading the abridgements only?

 

[jackt62]

I read the abridged versions of Lee and Lee's Lieutenants and afterwards, the full version of Lee's Lieutenants. Reading the abridged versions is absolutely worthwhile if time is a constraint. The full versions have more in-depth footnotes and appendices, but the abridged versions contain much of the important information about their subjects.

 

[Drew]

I don't want to encourage anyone to read Cliff Notes on anything, but the abridged version will work here if need be.

 

[MajGenl.Meade]

Not enough time for longer books? Good grief, sir! Do you not go to the bathroom?