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239 reviews for:
Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause
Ty Seidule
4.4 AVERAGE
239 reviews for:
Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause
Ty Seidule
4.4 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
"History is dangerous. It forms our identity, our shared story. If someone challenges a sacred myth, the reaction can be ferocious."
Give this book to anyone still in denial of the causes of the American Civil War and the honor of Robert E. Lee. A hint of what's inside: slavery was the cause of the civil war, General Lee is a traitor, and we should start calling plantations by a more accurate name - enslaved labor farms. As the author says, "The truth is ruthless."
Give this book to anyone still in denial of the causes of the American Civil War and the honor of Robert E. Lee. A hint of what's inside: slavery was the cause of the civil war, General Lee is a traitor, and we should start calling plantations by a more accurate name - enslaved labor farms. As the author says, "The truth is ruthless."
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
challenging
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
Very informative book. He weaved his story with the history he presented well. It made me look at places and systems around me more closely. I will say the only thing that irritates me about the book is the repetitive nature of some things but I understand why he did so. It highlights how each formative step of his life was informed by Lee and how it informed his reflection and change.
The righteous anger comes through in the writing, and Seidule clearly lays out the reasons that his anger is justified. As a southern child, I was taught the romance of aristocratic plantations and the glory of battle. It wasn’t until recently that I realized the Civil War (or the War of the Rebellion) should be celebrated as the liberation of 4 million enslaved persons rather than a regional disagreement between “brothers”. This book is another nail in the coffin of the Lost Cause myth-may it finally die.
“History is dangerous… History forms an important part of a person’s identity…”
This book should be mandatory reading, particularly for those raised and educated (especially that one) in Virginia. Despite devoting most of my undergrad history research to Virginia and UVA’s complicity in perpetuating the “Lost Cause myth” (lies) and it’s connection to the American eugenics movement, Seidule’s detailed account of the inaccuracies of the American narrative and its continued telling nonetheless unveiled so much. History is complex, difficult, and insidious. It’s indeed dangerous, but as Seidule points out, historical education provides its own antidote— “To create a more just society, we must start by studying our past. If we want to know where to go, we must know where we’ve been.” Education is a powerful tool.
This book should be mandatory reading, particularly for those raised and educated (especially that one) in Virginia. Despite devoting most of my undergrad history research to Virginia and UVA’s complicity in perpetuating the “Lost Cause myth” (lies) and it’s connection to the American eugenics movement, Seidule’s detailed account of the inaccuracies of the American narrative and its continued telling nonetheless unveiled so much. History is complex, difficult, and insidious. It’s indeed dangerous, but as Seidule points out, historical education provides its own antidote— “To create a more just society, we must start by studying our past. If we want to know where to go, we must know where we’ve been.” Education is a powerful tool.
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Like the author Ty Seidule, I grew up in Virginia in the 1960s, exposed to all the same influences that revered Robert E Lee and glorified the Confederacy. It wasn’t till I hit high school that I learned what racist bigots my parents were - I became the liberal thorn in their sides.
That said, at first I was bewildered by movement to remove Confederate monuments. Robert E Lee, someone I’d revered my whole life, was suddenly being vilified and it was hard to accept after years and years of seeing both him and his Confederate generals as heroes.
I don’t know how this book would affect someone who didn’t grow up in the same circumstances, but for me it was riveting, shocking, and illuminating. I had no idea I went to high school in a school founded specifically to avoid whites having to go to school with blacks. I had no idea the prominent men in the Confederacy were outspoken about their love of slavery and their contempt for Black people - I’d been taught the war was a states’ rights issue. There was so much that resounded with me, and that appalled me
This book was a profound eye-opener, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I spent the last few days telling everyone I know about this book. I think all Southerners, all Virginians, and possibly just all Americans should read it.
That said, at first I was bewildered by movement to remove Confederate monuments. Robert E Lee, someone I’d revered my whole life, was suddenly being vilified and it was hard to accept after years and years of seeing both him and his Confederate generals as heroes.
I don’t know how this book would affect someone who didn’t grow up in the same circumstances, but for me it was riveting, shocking, and illuminating. I had no idea I went to high school in a school founded specifically to avoid whites having to go to school with blacks. I had no idea the prominent men in the Confederacy were outspoken about their love of slavery and their contempt for Black people - I’d been taught the war was a states’ rights issue. There was so much that resounded with me, and that appalled me
This book was a profound eye-opener, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I spent the last few days telling everyone I know about this book. I think all Southerners, all Virginians, and possibly just all Americans should read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Gaslighting, War
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Genocide, Hate crime, Racism, War
descriptions of Civil War, Reconstruction Era, and Civil Rights Era acts of racism. Uncensored slurs.
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Such great history -an awesome book to remind all of us how truly despicable Lee was despite the air of southern gentleman and that the South lost a noble cause. Totally factual and damning. Instead of saying ‘plantation,’ use ‘enslaved labor camps’ instead - an excellent takeaway.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced