Light-Horse Harry Lee

The Rise and Fall of a Revolutionary Hero

By: Ryan Cole

Narrated by: John McLain

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

He was a dashing military hero who led the fight for America's independence. His son would later become the general who almost tore America apart.

Henry Lee III - whose nickname, "Light-Horse," came from his legendary exploits with mounted troops and skill in the saddle - was a dashing cavalry commander and hero of America's War for Independence. By now most Americans have forgotten about Light-Horse Harry Lee, the father of Confederate general Robert E. Lee, but this new biography reveals he may be one of the most fascinating figures in our nation's history. A daring military commander, Lee was also an early American statesman whose passionate argument in favor of national unity helped ratify the Constitution.

When President George Washington needed to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion, he sent in his friend Light-Horse Harry Lee with 12,000 militiamen. When Washington died, Lee was the man who famously eulogized our first president as "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen." With incredible stories about Light-Horse Harry Lee's interactions with famous men and women - including George and Martha Washington, Nathanial Greene, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr - this book paints a rich portrait of an underappreciated American character and provides unique new insight into the upbringing and motivations of Lee's infamous son, General Robert E. Lee.

©2019 Ryan Cole (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Like father, unlike son.

Pretty much anybody that reads about the Civil War learns in passing that R.E. Lee's father was the Revolutionary War hero Light Horse Harry Lee. That's usually about the end of it. So I was pleased to find this reasonably full length biography of the elder Lee.

In short, dude was a interesting cat. Emotional, proud, a tactically skilled cavalry leader, close friend of Washington, supporter of the Constitution, he also was an utterly intractable con man/profligate spender who was both a Governor of Virginia and ended up serving a year in debtor's prison in addition to getting beaten nearly to death later in life by a mob while defending a Federalist newspaper editor friend against the mob. Oh, then he sailed permanently to the West Indies without his family to "recover" and died on his way back. Got all that?

To say this rather quixotic life was a different from his son would be a vast understatement. That contrast is probably the most interesting aspect of this biography. On its own, Lee's rise as a Soldier and politician, and eventual fall would be interesting but more as trivia than as an important part of the historical record. The fact that his son (who admittedly barely knew him as he left when the boy was only 5) turned out to be such the polar opposite in temperament and demeanor and became such a paragon of duty and rectitude (as he saw it) is what makes study of the father that much more valuable. Cole's biography does a fine job of tracing all of this (though does not touch on the relationship with the son as there's not enough there), but still produces an eminently readable work.

great missing story of history

this books tells you more about Light Horse Harry Lee than anything I've ever read.

Strange performance

It’s a great story, and the writing is exquisite. What’s totally off-putting is this antebellum southern accent the reader gives for the Lees. Colonial accents were different and it totally takes away from the story to have a thick southern accent where there isn’t one elsewhere in the story.

Wonderfully written and read and educative.

I learned much in this book about this amazing patriot, including the bad with the good of his life. There should be monuments to him all over the original thirteen states. God bless his soul.

Remarkable life - wonderfully told

I’ve read biographies on all of the founding fathers. Been looking for several years for the life of Harry Lee. This work was worth the wait. This is a fascinating read and connects many of the missed links of the revolution

Excellent history

This is a very interesting but sad story about a Revolutionary War Hero that I knew little about. It is also a very revealing story about the birth pains of our nation trying to get things figured out after we won our independence from Great Britain.

Henry Lighthourse Lee was a great soldier but self destructed after the war in spectacular fashion, not only failing himself, but two wives that apparently cared a great deal for him, not to mention several children and a number of other relatives who tried desperately to help him.

The book indicates to me that he was a glory hound whose fearless daring helped win some spectacular battles in the war, and made him an effective and influential political figure, but whose seeking after financial glory with his continual fearless financial speculation, led him to, step by unfortunate step, lose the family fortune and brought many people he cared about, to disgrace and near poverty. This is the story of how it all happened.

Fascinating history of a controversial warrior, hero, and mortal

It is hard to fully understand our nations history and the context if its early days without knowing the lives and circumstances of the men that hazarded their lives for its existence. This book aids in fleshing out that understanding

Great Book!

The narrator of this book was absolutely phenomenal! The story was captivating and intense about a man that, admittedly, I had no idea about. I will definitely be searching for more books by Ryan Cole and narrated by John McClain.

Stay with it

This book brings great info on the founding of our nation as well as insight to life in early America. The book takes many unexpected turns as it unfolds the life of Harry Lee.

American History Lovers Book!

I was engaged, riveted, saddened and enlightened by this well written and read historical accounting of General Harry lighthouse Lee. The epilogue was also very interesting and enlightening as to the amazing parallels yet opposite paths the Lee Generals took.
I loved learning so much about them!