Robert E. Lee and Me

A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause

De: Ty Seidule

Narrado por: Ty Seidule

Duración: 10 h y 45 m

Resumen del Editor

"The narrator’s skill as an educator is evident in this production. Seidule's varied tone and pace keep listeners engaged while he describes historical events in detail." (Booklist)

This program is read by the author.

In a forceful but humane narrative, former soldier and head of the West Point history department Ty Seidule's Robert E. Lee and Me challenges the myths and lies of the Confederate legacy - and explores why some of this country’s oldest wounds have never healed.

Ty Seidule grew up revering Robert E. Lee. From his southern childhood to his service in the US Army, every part of his life reinforced the Lost Cause myth: that Lee was the greatest man who ever lived, and that the Confederates were underdogs who lost the Civil War with honor. Now, as a retired brigadier general and Professor Emeritus of History at West Point, his view has radically changed. From a soldier, a scholar, and a southerner, Ty Seidule believes that American history demands a reckoning.

In a unique blend of history and reflection, Seidule deconstructs the truth about the Confederacy - that its undisputed primary goal was the subjugation and enslavement of Black Americans - and directly challenges the idea of honoring those who labored to preserve that system and committed treason in their failed attempt to achieve it. Through the arc of Seidule’s own life, as well as the culture that formed him, he seeks a path to understanding why the facts of the Civil War have remained buried beneath layers of myth and even outright lies - and how they embody a cultural gulf that separates millions of Americans to this day.

Part history lecture, part meditation on the Civil War and its fallout, and part memoir, Robert E. Lee and Me challenges the deeply-held legends and myths of the Confederacy - and provides a surprising interpretation of essential truths that our country still has a difficult time articulating and accepting.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

"Perhaps the best attribute of this fine book is the author’s honesty. It’s difficult to imagine a more timely book than Robert E. Lee and Me. At this pivotal moment, when we are debating some of the most painful aspects of our history, Seidule’s unsparing assessment of the Lost Cause provides an indispensable contribution to the discussion." (Washington Post)

"In this fine book Ty Seidule scorches us with the truth and rivets us with his fierce sense of moral urgency. I can't think of a better book to enrich and invigorate our national discussion about race and memory and the troubled legacy of Robert E. Lee and the Confederacy." (New York Times bestselling author of Alexander Hamilton)

"A beautiful, often searing meditation on race, history, and the American narrative. Evocative and provocative, Robert E. Lee and Me is honest, wry, and utterly engaging." (Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The British are Coming)

©2021 Ty Seidule (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Required reading by every American

This book must be very widely distributed.
Like so many Americans I had been taken in by the Hollywood version of the Nobel south.
Robert E Lee was a traitor, and this book lays out succinctly the argument that the South should let go of the myths and move into the future.
The insurrection of January 6th can be laid squarely on the continued spread of white supremacy, and reading this book goes a long way in explaining the reasons for it.

A Must Read

A must read for every American, but especially a must read for every white southern male who was raised on the “mythology of greatness” of Robert E. Lee and the historical context that created and perpetuated that mythology.

Must Read

Ty did an excellent job with this book and I would highly recommend it as part of any comprehensive study into the subject of the Lost Cause, racism, and how history feeds directly into what’s happening today. Definitely a must read for senior leadership in DOD to help them frame their current efforts to stamp out extremism in our military. The book also helps to uncover systemic bias that many in leadership positions might have “without knowing what they don’t know.” Again, I would highly recommend this book. LTC (Ret).

Phenomenal account of Lee's history

BG(R) Seidule provided a compelling narrative of the Civil War and its aftermath. Taking the reader through his personal history and military career, Robert E Lee and Me gives hope that a philosophy of life long learning, coupled with moral courage, will give our nation the strength to continue evolving toward a truly more perfect union. My best read of 2021.

Excellent in every way

This book is exceptional in its well-researched historical treatment of a shameful and still-sensitive subject. He brings his own humanity into the words. I’m glad I listened to his audio recording because you can hear his authentic passion in everything that he wrote.

Fantastic Book

This should be required reading fo all high school freshmen. Straight forward telling of our history and gives an old white woman like me the opportunity to see the racism that has been hidden in plain sight for so many many years. Thank you

Truly Outstanding and Much Needed

As someone who grew up with the Lost Cause mythology ever present and later in life recognize it as false... this book provided a very enjoyable explanation of how it came to be and the truth.

A great listen!

Surprising and fascinating combination of history, memoir, and social and political commentary. A great listen!

Southern Truth

I was born and raised in the south and was truly dismayed at the similar upbringing as the author. I totally recognize the homespun lies to cover the truth. Thank you so much for writing this book, my way of thinking has been changed, and for that I am grateful.

Brilliant. Should be required reading at W&L and elsewhere

A brilliant, thoughtful, well written and narrated reckoning of the lost cause mythology. As a southern native and alum of Washington and Lee, this book made me think in new ways about my roots and culture. It teaches about about some amazing black Americans and lays bare the horrific racial oppression and white washing practiced for centuries. This should be required reading in southern schools - especially Washington and Lee.