Lee: A Giant Among LeadersRobert E. Lee was a gentleman. Although he lived during a time filled with conflict and turmoil, in the eyes of his countrymen he emerged form the Civil War with untainted integrity and the respect of all. Despite being perceived as one of the greatest military leaders of all time, he managed to maintain a most humble spirit. In this engaging new biographical study of Lee, J. Stephen Wilkins examines the sterling character of this undeniably noble man. Charles Bracelet Flood has said that the essence of Robert E. Lee "was to be found not in what he said, but in what he did. There were dimensions to Lee, but his life was one long response to whatever struck him as being the call of duty." He was bound by duty to care for his mother, duty as a son, a student, a soldier, a husband and father, a general, and duty as a mentor of students at both West Point and Washington College. Duty called him at every point of his life. In this captivating looking at his leadership in action, we see why and how Lee answered again and again the calls of duty he could not ignore. Indeed, Robert E. Lee was a leader of leaders.

Dubbed Stonewall following the battle of First Manassas in July 1861, Thomas Jackson has long been revered as a brilliant military leader and tactician and as one of the most adroit Confederate commanders. The man himself is a study in contrasts: justifiably feared by his enemies and completely beloved by his men. Steven Wilkins examines the life and character of Jackson. His research reveals a man humble and sincere in his Christian faith, which stands in stark contrast with the general's reputation as a ferocious warrior. Shortly after his graduation from West Point in 1846, Jackson served in the Mexican War in 1848, where he became one of the most decorated heroes of the conflict and received promotion to the brevetted rank of major. He left the army in 1851 to accept a teaching position at the Virginia Military Institute, resigning his commission in the army a year later. In 1859 he led a contingent of cadets to maintain order during the trial and ensuing execution of John Brown. When Jackson departed VMI in 1861 to join the Confederate army, he was immediately commissioned a colonel and within months was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.Mortally wounded by friendly fire in May 1863, he more than anyone else, personified the compelling and the virtuous in what the subsequent generation would label 'The Lost Cause