Robert E. Lee, one of the most famous figures in American history, vanished after his dramatic surrender at Appomattox. In fact, he lived only another five years, during which time he did more than any other American to heal the wounds between North and South during the tempestuous postwar period.
This is a moving and intimate account of those years filled with the warmth of family ties and enduring friendships set against the harsh realities of Reconstruction. Though Lee is best remembered for his military campaigns, this was his finest hour, the great forgotten chapter of an extraordinary life.
Download and start listening now!
"Investigates the relatively unknown five years of Lee after Appomattox, where he engaged in personal reparations through his years as president of Washington College in Virginia... and in so doing bringing the North and South together. Well written and interesting. "
— Bhops (5 out of 5 stars)
“[An] unforgettable portrait of a hero.”
— Philadelphia Inquirer“An American classic.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution“I think it’s wonderful. Tragic and powerful, with the rhythm of a classic, the stupendous research subordinated to the emotion it evokes, it is the end of the story for which we have been waiting over a century.”
— Theodore H. White“A rare blend of history and emotion, a book that speaks to both the mind and the heart. It should be read north and south, east and west, throughout America.”
— Thomas Fleming“True stories of work, home and family paint a warm and loving portrait of this much-admired figure in American history. The narrator reads this gentle and poignant biography with an appropriately soft voice, sometimes slipping in a hint of a southern accent which adds authenticity to the dialogue. One has the feeling that the narrator cares a lot about the subject of the book, as will the listener about this fine recording.”
— AudioFile" This was interesting though I think it lacked analysis and comment. I did learn a few things. I could take it or leave it. "
— Mindy, 11/26/2013" I never know much about Robert E Lee before. After reading this, I think he was THE MAN for his place and time in the sweep of history; much like Luther, Washington, Lincoln and Churchill. "
— Teresa, 9/3/2013" Great book and well written. Gives you a glimpse into the 5 yrs that Lee lived after the Civil War and all the good he accomplished to help North and South live on genial terms. "
— Matt, 8/16/2013" Lee's best years were his last 5; 1865-70. "
— Douglas, 8/4/2013" Very interesting, readable. Lee was an admirable and intriguing man and learning about his life before and after the Civil War is, I think, quite worthwhile. "
— Maggie, 6/2/2013" Investigates the relatively unknown five years of Lee after Appomattox, where he engaged in personal reparations through his years as president of Washington College in Virginia... and in so doing bringing the North and South together. Well written and interesting. "
— Bhops, 8/8/2012" A very good book on the last years of Robert E. Lee. It spans the last five years from surrender at Appomattox to his presidency at Washington College in Lexington, Virginia. "
— Celeste, 5/7/2012" If you enjoy learning about the character of great leaders in history, you will want to add this to your list. "
— Chuck, 4/17/2012" This is a study of the actions and character of a southern hero and great military mind of the Post Civil War Era. His activities after the war saved the South from total desolation and helped reunite the southern states with their northern brothers. "
— Chuck, 10/11/2011" The amazing story of the life of General Robert E. Lee after the end of the Civil War. I learned a lot about this amazing man and all he did after the war to try to heal the nation and bring the South back into the Union spiritually.. Awesome read! "
— Del, 8/18/2011" Just beautiful! Moved me to tears on more than one occasion ... A must read to any Civil War history lover who wants to know the final chapter - what happened to Lee following his surrender at Appomattox. "
— Lindsey, 4/1/2011" I decided to go through this in my desire to get a broad view of the civil war and the main characters involved in it. This is a sympathetic but searching treatment of the incredibly important years of Lee's life that followed the civil war. "
— Mark, 3/17/2011" I wanted to give this 10 stars, but they wouldn't let me.... "
— Martha, 1/25/2011" This was interesting though I think it lacked analysis and comment. I did learn a few things. I could take it or leave it. "
— Mindy, 12/16/2010" Great book and well written. Gives you a glimpse into the 5 yrs that Lee lived after the Civil War and all the good he accomplished to help North and South live on genial terms. "
— Matt, 5/12/2010" This is a wonderful account of Lee's last years — his service as President of Washington College and his example of grace and healing after the War Between the States. Full of wonderful anecdotes. Lee's faith, generosity of spirit, and love of children stand out. "
— Roger, 2/11/2010" This is a study of the actions and character of a southern hero and great military mind of the Post Civil War Era. His activities after the war saved the South from total desolation and helped reunite the southern states with their northern brothers. "
— Chuck, 1/20/2009" If you enjoy learning about the character of great leaders in history, you will want to add this to your list. "
— Chuck, 1/7/2009" Lee's best years were his last 5; 1865-70. "
— Douglas, 8/21/2008" I never know much about Robert E Lee before. After reading this, I think he was THE MAN for his place and time in the sweep of history; much like Luther, Washington, Lincoln and Churchill. "
— Teresa, 6/23/2008Charles Bracelen Flood (1929-2014) wrote fifteen books, including Lee: The Last Years and Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War, which Salon named one of the “Top 12 Civil War Books Ever Written,” and the New York Times bestselling novel Love Is a Bridge. He graduated from Harvard and was a past president of the PEN American Center.
Michael Anthony is an actor and director with a lengthy resume in the Washington, DC, area.