(Smithsonian National Postal Museum)

James C. Cobb has a thoughtful piece on the evolving legacy of Robert E. Lee.  The how and why of how Lee came to represent the ideals of the Lost Cause is a fascinating story we are still trying to untangle.  Say what you will about the Southern Historical Society and its disciples, but they managed to control the narrative for nearly a century.

I have always regarded Shelby Foote as novelist first, historian second.  His writing is quite effective in novels such as Shiloh.  Foote’s sonorous voice brought the Civil War home (literally) to millions of Americans, which on the whole is a good thing.  His greatest strength was his gift for story telling.  As a historian, however. . .