General James Longstreet

Title: General James Longstreet
Author: Wert, Jeffry D.
Publication date: Dec. 1 1994
Page count:
Type: Biography
Started on:12/15
Finished on:12/30
My grade: B











1. Why did I decide to read this book?

The reason I decided to read this book was to find more information about General Longstreet. Longstreet has always been in the top five of my favorite Confederate generals of the Civil War. I wrote a report on Longstreet in the eighth grade and found a great deal of information about James. When I came across this book at the book store in Cumberland. I scanned through it and came across some interesting facts about James that I did not know and that is what lead me into reading this book.








2. Who was the general subject of the book?

The general subject of the book was James Longstreet "Old Pete". The book that Jeffry Wert wrote was quite a magnificent piece of literature. It gave me a great deal of facts that I did not no about Longstreet in the Mexican-American War and about his personal life. Jeffry Wert must have known loads of information about James and his family. Though sometimes in the book it tended to get of subject of who the book was really about. By giving a great number of facts about his family and friends that people would not necessary be interested in.








3. What were some of the key events in this person's life?

Well, the first key event was that James was born January 21, 1821 in Edge field District, South Carolina, also the first state to succeed from the Union. One fact that just blew my mind was that after the Civil War General Longstreet changed his party affiliation from a Democrat to a Republican. Which when the South heard of this change that Longstreet made they discontinued there loyalty towards Longstreet. Another interesting fact was in James's later years he married Helen Dortch in 1887. Helen out lived James Longstreet by 58 years and did not die until 1962








4. What was the most interesting thing I learned about this person? Why?

The most interesting thing that I learned about James Longstreet would be how incredibly "war smart" he was. Jeffrey Wert wrote in the book that he was the best corps commander on either North or South. Longstreet new what action to take in the heat of battle. Though some of his movements have been questioned. I think also with him working directly under General Robert Edward Lee helped him with making specific decisions.








5. Overall, was the information presented in an interesting way?

Yes and No, I believe all the information that Jeffry D. Wert put in his book was very interesting. Though I did not like the way he focused most of the book on Longstreet's war life. I believe that when you write a book about someone and the book does not specially say, "War Life" or something along that line the author should equally give information about the different parts of his/her life. But you could say that the author knew what he was talking about and put plenty of time in writing the book and for that I applaud him. That's why Jeffry's overall Grade was a plain B.








6. What is the significance of the book's title? Is the title appropriate, or would I change it to something else?

The significance of the book title was to tell the reader who the book was about in this case James Longstreet. It would be a toss up for me to say if it was appropriate or not. Yes, could be because the book is about Longstreet, but if the reader is not careful. One could read the book and want to know about his home life and end up reading the whole book and the author might only go over his war life, as in this book. If I could change this book I would call it The Old Work Horse's War Life.







7. What is my opinion of this book? Why (give specifics)?

My opinion of the book would be that it is a wonderful book to read if you are interested in the Civil War. The book, like I said a few paragraph's above, tends to get of the real subject of the book. Though I learned more about him then any book I have read or any site I have visited online. I think that it had more information about James's past and future after the Civil War it would have scored in A+. I think though with all seriousness that Jeffry D. Wert is an good author and I would recommend the book.

Journals

12-10
Have you ever experienced major appliance failure at your home? What happened?

Well I can not say that I have experienced a major appliance failure before that I can remember. Though your appliance failure that you told the class about sounded pretty brutal. There is nothing like buying a brand new T.V., hooking all the cords and your game system, and then when you sit down to enjoy the T.V. it is broke.

12-9
Rudolf died. (Bulb burned out) Name his replacement.

There is no other name in the world that could replace Rudolf's. I would call the replacement reindeer Rudolf Jr. I would also do every thing in my power to make that reindeer just like the first Rudolf.

12-12
Favorite Christmas cookie?

Clark lets get serious I do not have a favorite cookie. I love all Cookies. I do not care what kind of cookie it is as long as it is homemade. Though if it was a life or death situation and they were getting rid of one cookie in the world. I would have to save the oatmeal raisin cookie.

12-14
What would you name a female calico cat?

Clark before I would name a cat I would have to see the feline. I would have to know its personality and what the cat likes to do such as sleep, get in trouble, etc. I named my cat Silvester because he looks like him.

Journals 11/26-12/7

11/26/07 Any adventures over break?

The adventure that I went through was meeting all of Goober's family on Thanksgiving. I will admit I was a little nervous, but mostly I think I was excited. When I meant the family and got to know them I was fine. They were about as funny as my family.

11/27/07 Is our society to sensitive

Yes, our society is way to sensitive. Everyone in our society takes everything to heart. It is pretty bad when people in our school get upset over a curse word in an educational book. The way I see it if the curse word offended that person they need to grow up and get used to it because that person will be hearing those words for the rest of their life. I also think that people try to find stuff in life to complain about and try to make a mountain out of a ant hill like the English literature conflict.

11/28/07 Should lit taught in high school be censored?

No, I do not think lit should be censored. Some of the best educational books have curse words in the book. Plus we are at the age we hear and use those words that we shouldn't so it is not like we haven't heard the curse words before.

11/29/07 How early is too early for Christmas decorations?

I think to early is before Thanksgiving. I think after Thanksgiving is an ideal time because it is after hunting season and it is not to cold. Though I know people who put there decorations up after Halloween.

12/4/07 Care to comment on this morning's wheather

This morning wheather was so bad it took my buddy and I 25 min. to get for 7 11 to the school. We almost got in a wreck making the turn up to the school. Truthfully I can't believe we had school today because the roads were horrible.

12/7/07 Do you perfer a white Christmas or would you rather experiance a warm winter.

I would much rather have snow on Christmas than it being 50 degrees on Christmas. I would have just enough snow to lay on the ground for a little bit. Then I would have it melt so that I could see my Goober on Christmas.