Jeffry Wert

[rgt333]

Hello

I am curious if any of you have read any of Jeffry Wert's books. I am considerign getting his Biography on James Longstreet as well as Brotherhood of Valor, his book on the Iron Brigade and Stonewall Brigade.

 

[diddyriddick]

Wert's Bio on Longstreet is outstanding. I highly recommend it. Haven't read anything else, though.

 

[rgt333]

How readable is Longstreet's bio? Let me rephrase that, is it easy to read? What did you like about it. Since I first read The Killer Angels I have had an interest in Longstreet the man/person and have wanted to read a really good bio on him. thanks for the response.

Robert

 

[diddyriddick]

It is very readable. Aside from exhaustive research, Wert is a first class writer. But beware...Wert is critical of Ol' Pete for reasons other than Gettysburg.

 

[rgt333]

no thats OK..I love well balanced books. I like the human side of people. The imperfections etc.

 

[PvtClewell]

If it matters, I have to echo Diddy's comments. I thought Wert's work on Longstreet was the most readable and informative of any that I've read (I also have Piston's 'Lee's Tarnished Lieutenant' and Eckenrode and Conrad's James Longstreet: Lee's War Horse.')

I also have Wert's 'Brotherhood of Valor' and 'Gettysburg: Day Three.' All are well written.

He's also conducted a few tours for us at the Gettysburg Civil War Institute. Really neat, down to earth guy.

And I believe he just retired as a history teacher at Penns Valley (Pa.) High School, so you've got to figure he knows how to communicate to a general audience.

I recommend his work.

 

[ole]

Wert is one of a handfull of historians who write good. I'm saying nothing about his content or politics or facts -- just that he's an easy read.

 

[rgt333]

I will probably read Brotherhood of Valor first. Thanks for the insight. Being a history nut I always love finding a READABLE historian.

 

[The Iron Duke]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1416593349/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[ole]

I will probably read Brotherhood of Valor first. Thanks for the insight. Being a history nut I always love finding a READABLE historian.

There are some who are better at "readable" than others. But those who don't quite reach that level, are still required reading.

 

[badger roy]

rgt333, the best book I've read on the Iron Brigade is Allan Nolan's The Iron Brigade.Wert's account seems like a light treatment of the subject.In fairness to Wert the focus was somewhat different for his book.A good sampler of Iron Brigade history is Giants In Their Tall Black Hats(Allan Nolan & Sharon Vipond), essays by various veteran writers on the subject.If you're looking at just Gettysburg, Lance Herdegen's Those ****ed Black Hats! is excellent.
Best regards,
badger roy