Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson

A finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, this biography examines Confederate general Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, a figure long associated with Southern legend and romance. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the country's greatest military figures. In April 1862, he was an ordinary Confederate general in a struggling army. By June, he had executed what may be the greatest military campaign in American history and had become one of the most famous men in the Western world. His strategic innovations challenged conventional warfare tactics and proved so advanced that military leaders studied his methods for generations. S.C. Gwynne traces Jackson's twenty-four-month career during the American Civil War, from his rise out of obscurity to his fame and legendary status. The narrative combines battle accounts, biographical detail, and conflict among historical figures while exploring Jackson's private life. The biography covers his profound impact on the war's course and his tragic death, which prompted grief across both North and South.