R. E. Lee: Volume Four

By: Douglas Southall Freeman

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Volume Four begins in March, 1865 with Lee's starving soldiers facing annihilation at the hands of Grant's enormous army. Surrounded, with all avenues of escape cut off, Lee honorably surrendered the remnants of his valiant Army of Northern Virginia at Appamattox on April 9. Having done his military duty to his people to the very best of his ability, Lee next asked himself, "What is now my duty?" Declining handsome financial rewards for the use of his name in various commercial ventures, Lee decided to share the misery of the people of Virginia and the South. He became a beacon of hope and reconciliation. And in this final, peaceful campaign of his life, Lee succeeded brilliantly. In the fall of 1865, the amazing Lee accepted the post of president at financially strapped Washington College in Lexington, VA. Within one year, the fortunes of the college had improved dramatically, and Lee's genius for organization and discipline had been revealed anew. Students from around the South and even from the North eagerly enrolled in order to be near the great man. Lee restructured the faculty and curriculum, and then proceeded to raise enough money to rebuild and expand the college campus. Throughout these strenuous labors, the Lee maintained his family comfortably and devotedly, both as dedicated husband and loving father. He became a model of civic leadership. When Lee died in October, 1870, he was one of the most famous and admired men in the world, and a shining example of the Christian gentleman.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©1934 Charles Scribner's Sons (P)2018 Audio Connoisseur

Content was excellent

This book was a great read. Every citizen should read this book. Let all men be a Christian and a Gentlemen!

Should be required reading

The expanse of the work and the depth of the research is truly astounding, though not nearly as astounding as the remarkable and noble life the subject. The four volumes that culminate in this masterpiece should be required reading for every high school and college student in the country and will do nothing but better the reader. The narration is also of excellent quality and serves to make the already engaging narrative riveting until the very last word.

The Last Volume

The narrator was excellent, the subject holy, and the author superb.

This volume covers less of the war than the others, and most of it is spent after the War. It is not quite as concise or as moving as "Lee: the Last Years," but it intertwines with the previous three volumes and allows for a greater frame of reference.

A great book performed by a master narrator.

I’ve now finished the major literary works of Dr. Freeman from volume I of Washington to this last of Lee. If Lee’s Lieutenants is available I’ll move on to that next.

After spending the last month or more with Dr. Freeman’s books I’ve come away, not only better educated about these two important figures in American history, but with awe for the author who so patiently researched, collated, and finally wrote the books with so much skill that it’s like being with the subjects from childhood. Astounding.

Mr. Griffin is the perfect performer for these works. He has the gravitas to be authoritative the modulation and vocal inference to make the scenes come alive.

Great History

I very complete study of a very important individual in American history. This book is well written and an easy book to listen to. Could not wait to hear what happen next. Very informative.