Would that everyone who is going to comment on @realDonaldTrump and Robert E. Lee on Sunday shows would have already read @StanMcChrystal exceptional essay on Lee in his new book Leaders. amazon.com/Leaders-Myth-R… It is riveting because of the role of Lee in McCrystal’s life; for
it’s perfect summation of such a large life in so few pages; for McCrystal’s summary —Lee had an “extraordinary aptitude for war”— mixed with a very clear gaze at his embrace of slavery and his turning on his West Point oath. Some brilliant booker is begging @StanMcChrystal right
now to please come and discuss Lee (and the new book of course) but only reviewers have it. @StanMcChrystal quotes a Southern congressman’s eulogy of Lee: “He was a Caesar without his ambitions; Frederick without his tyranny; Napoleon without his selfishness, and Washington
without his reward.” The chapter “The Marble Man” makes clear there is no arguing against his ability to general even as @StanMcChrystal puts aside his admiration of Lee because of Lee’s moral failures. One last nugget; Grant to his subordinates, awe-struck by mythology of Lee:
“Oh I am heartily tired of hearing about what Lee is going to do. Some of you seem to think he is suddenly going to turn a double somersault and land in our rear and on both of our flanks at the same time. Go back to your command and try to think what we are going to do ourselves
instead of what Lee is going to do.” This is going to be a terrific read, but someone ought to be banging on the publishers door to produce @StanMcChrystal to talk Lee and Leaders tomorrow: amazon.com/Leaders-Myth-R…
