Thank you very much—I know enough to follow, and to actually grasp about half of you finer points well and to know how to follow up on the rest, if only I could find the time.
I assume, perhaps wrongly, that this sentence is missing a not—though perhaps the “however well intended” is actually throwing me for a loop:
Davis treatment of his slaves like that of his brother was benevolent but even Woke historians will admit his benevolence did always produce the best outcomes however well intended. Therein lies the quirks of the peculiar institution even when applied with a silk yoke.
(It is a very interesting sentence giving insight into his domestic character, of which I knew almost nothing-—I know the most about his direction of generals, although that knowledge is mediocre)
Is there a particular work you would recommend on the domestic side of Davis. My high school teacher ( I grew up in Oregon) noted his last name and the reasons for it, and at some point I became aware of his being educated by Dominicans for part of his education—but I think I used to know more.
I’ve only read/listened to one very long work on any aspect of the war, which was about two-thirds for entertainment—Shaara’s four volume work beginning on the western front that largely follows Sherman’s path through the war and those of others who followed similar paths. That allowed me to understand some of your comments in some detail, particularly about Bragg.
(FWIW I had a great-great-great-great Uncle [possibly one or two generations further back but I think that is about right] born in 1861 in SW Missouri by the name of Jefferson Davis Scott)
Thanks very much for your time.
An excellent book about the lead up to the war including a good bit on Davis and his reluctance
A northern author who’s very thorough and passes blame all around
Hattip pelham
C-SPAN has some excellent videos featuring Shelby Foote
“Booknotes
Stars in Their Courses
The author discussed his book, Stars in Their Courses: The Gettysburg Campaign, published by Random House. The book focuses on the role of “fate” in determining the defeat of General Robert E. Lee at the Civil War battle of Gettysburg. The book is a chapter excerpted from Mr. Foote’s three-volume Civil War narrative.”
https://www.c-span.org/video/?60099-1/stars-courses&playEvent
“Shelby FooteOn the C-SPAN Networks:
Shelby Foote is an Author with 11 videos in the C-SPAN Video Library; the first appearance was a 1994 Booknotes. The year with the most videos was 1996 with three videos. The year with the highest average number of views per program was 2001 with an average of 19,946 views per program. Most appearances with Brian Lamb (5), Christopher Hitchens (2). Most common tags: Arts & Literature, About Books, Depression & War (1929-1945).”
https://www.c-span.org/person/?36947/ShelbyFoote