Military Memoirs of a Confederate

By: Edward Porter Alexander

Narrated by: Traber Burns

One of the most important and objective firsthand accounts of the Civil War

Unlike some other Confederate memoirists, General Edward Porter Alexander objectively evaluated and criticized prominent Confederate officers, including Robert E. Lee. The result is a clear-eyed assessment of the bloody conflict that divided but subsequently united the nation.

The memoir starts with Alexander heading to Utah to suppress the hostility of Mormons who had refused to establish a municipal government approved by President Buchanan. Only a few years later, Alexander found himself on the opposite side of a much larger rebellion of Confederates wanting to secede from the Union. In the years that follow, he is involved in most major battles including Manassas, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga.

Alexander describes each battle and battlefield with a keen eye for detail. Few wartime narratives offer such insight and critical perspective as Alexander’s memoir.

Public Domain (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

Casualty statistics

Generally pretty well written, but the casualty statistics at the end of each battle really breaks up the rhythm and are very hard to follow in audiobook format. The voice actor does a great job, even getting names of rather obscure generals' names pronounced correctly (Huger is the biggest one in this regard)

The best account of the Confederate war!

this is by far the best Southern account of the Civil War that I have ever read! E. P. Alexander that's a whole lot of detail on each battle and the movements of the armies. also at the end of each chapter, he lists the casualties on both sides which is very accurate. You owe if to yourself to read his book here!

Amazing Literature

Amazing literature, all the more incredible as it it true. The Confederacy in the harsh light of Strategic, Operational and Tactical critical analysis.

A great first hand account

Thoughs who are interested should be aware this is very much a military history narrative and the author goes into great details about battle movement. He is also speaking to a audience in his time where at times he is making an argument against how events were perceived. This includes criticism and if only scenarios on how things could have gone for better or worse.

The General does his homework and is less about his personal experience and more of an oversight of the war. For those who study the Civil War, this is a must read.

Civil war

In this first hand account of the various battles of the Civil War you will find detailed information. If you are unfamiliar with battles or commanders names it may be a little confusing. Overall I'd say good as you can still learn from this book.