Among historians jefferson davis has an image problem. He was given a classical education at transylvania univ. Books by jefferson davis author of the rise and fall of the. He is seen as aloof and prickly, a man who could sometimes be an intellectual tyrant, always trying to prove others wrong at the expense of the confederate cause. Jefferson davis initially did not wish to leave the unionas the son of a veteran of the american revolution and as a soldier and senator, he considered himself a patriot. Tomblin has crafted quite an interesting narrative of life in the csn.
Jefferson davis was the 10th and last child of samuel emory davis, a georgiaborn planter of welsh ancestry who had fought in the american revolution. His uncertainty over a military or political course vanished. Each of these compliments jefferson davis, american quite well. Books by jefferson davis author of the rise and fall of. Apr, 2018 charles frazier gives jefferson davis wife a voice. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Early life davis s parents moved to mississippi when he was a boy. The book examines the private life and the public career of the president of the. There have been some new biographies in the last few years.
The eleventh volume of the papers of jefferson davis follows the last tumultuous months of the confederacy and illuminates davis s policies, feelings, ideas, and relationships, as well as the viewpoints of hundreds of southerners critics and supporters who asked for favors, pointed out abuses, and offered advice on myriad topics. In volume 4 of the papers of jefferson davis, which covers the years 1849 to 1852, davis had clearly chosen politics ar his lifes work. William cooper talked about his book jefferson davis, american. There is a large literature devoted to evaluating jefferson daviss performance as confederate commander in chief. Early life daviss parents moved to mississippi when he was a boy. Vandivervolume 7 of the papers of jefferson davis offers a unique view of 1861, the first year of the confederacy, davis presidency, and the civil war. This book paints a vivid picture of jefferson davis as a multifaceted, often charismatic man who mirrored the turbulent times in which he lived and who stood solidly for the south that he loved. Born and raised in the south and educated in philadelphia, she had family on. Jefferson davis graduated from west point, served with honor in the mexicanamerican war, was elected to the house and senate, and was franklin pierces secretary of state. Ranging over the complete span of his long life, it shows him as a hardworking mississippi planter, a compassionate slave owner, a hero of the mexican.
The rise and fall of the confederate government by. After getting out of prison, davis traveled and worked a couple of jobs including running an insurance company. It is unclear whether davis was born in 1807 or 1808, and davis himself was unsure. Jefferson davis, the only president of the confederacy, was elected on february 10, 1861. Charles frazier gives jefferson davis wife a voice. The essential writings modern library classics, and more on. He was not only the first and last president of the illfated confederate states of america but, as well detailed in the book, he was the souths leading defender in congress in the mid1800s of statesrights and the rightfulness of slavery he was a major slave owner himself. West point graduate, secretary of war under president pie. Jefferson davis simple english wikipedia, the free. Varina anne banks howell davis may 7, 1826 october 16, 1906 was the only first lady of the confederate states of america, and the longtime second wife of president jefferson davis. There is more than one author in the goodreads database with this name. The eleventh volume of the papers of jefferson davis follows the last tumultuous months of the confederacy and illuminates daviss policies, feelings, ideas, and relationships, as well as the viewpoints of hundreds of southerners critics and supporters who asked for favors, pointed out abuses, and offered advice on myriad topics. It is a long book 658 pages of text, plus extensive end notes but it is well written, flows smoothly, and is easily read. Mcpherson examines jefferson daviss record as confederate commander in chief.
See all books authored by jefferson davis, including the rise and fall of the confederate government, and jefferson davis. Jefferson davis simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jefferson davis author of the rise and fall of the. A fine, objective portrait in paradox, shrewdly detailing how jefferson davis s character flaws rendered him woefully unsuited to be president of the confederacy.
He eventually settled down and wrote a book about the confederacy called the rise and fall of the confederate government. Jefferson davis 18081889 was a mexican war hero, u. He relished in his role as mississippis senior senator and willingly assumed the responsibility of being a national spokesman for the south. As a member of the democratic party, he represented mississippi in the united states senate and the house of representatives before the american civil war. The book is written as a counterpoint to the villification davis endured in the defeat of the confederacy. Sep 23, 2019 jefferson davis, president of the fallen confederate government, is captured with his wife and entourage near irwinville, georgia, by a detachment of union general james h. Jefferson finis davis june 3, 1808 december 6, 1889 was an american military officer, statesman, and leader of the confederacy during the american civil war, serving as the president of the confederate states of america for its entire history, 1861 to 1865. Lynda lasswell crist, editormary seaton dix, coeditorintroduction by frank e. In order to understand the civil war and its outcome, it is essential. Confederate president jefferson davis captured by union.
Nov 23, 2014 there is a large literature devoted to evaluating jefferson daviss performance as confederate commander in chief. Life in jefferson davis navy is an important book for anyone interested in the civil war, and especially its naval side. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. The author no relation to his subject brings to bear the military acumen one might expect from a former editor of civil war times illustrated and author of more than 25 books on the civil war and southern history, including duel. On january 21 davis made his affecting farewell speech before a hushed senate, then left for mississippi. Jefferson davis was a celebrated veteran of the mexican war 18461848, a u. Rob neufeld talks with western nc novelist charles frazier about his new novel, varina, based on the wife on confederate president. Apr 05, 2018 jefferson davis, was, of course, the president of the confederacy, and hes most in the news these days for statues in his image being taken down around the south.
Jefferson davis, 180889, american statesman, president of the southern confederacy, b. Sep, 2012 discover book depositorys huge selection of jefferson davis books online. About jefferson davis the papers of jefferson davis rice. Certainly jefferson davis american by i forgot the first name of the author cooper has been the standard for many years. A dynamic table of contents enables to jump directly to the chapter selected. This text is thus the history of a chaotic period as presented by a political insider, published some sixteen years after the close of the civil war hostilities and the end of.
Jefferson davis expresident first edition jefferson davis. Jefferson finis davis june 3, 1808 december 6, 1889 was an american statesman and advocate for states rights. Jefferson davis has 83 books on goodreads with 2276 ratings. Genealogy of the davis family the papers of jefferson. June 3, 1808december 6, 1889 was a prominent american soldier, secretary of war, and political figure who became the president of the confederate states of america, a nation formed in rebellion to the united states. Biography of jefferson davis, confederate president. Jefferson davis s most popular book is the rise and fall of the confederate government. List of books and articles about jefferson davis online research. The rise and fall of the confederate government by jefferson. Noted civil war author davis now tries his hand at jefferson davis, long an enigma to historians. In embattled rebel, mcpherson shows us that davis might have been on the wrong side of history, but it is too easy to diminish him because of his causes failure. Much has been written about jefferson davis, claims cooper the american south, etc. He was president of the confederate states of america for its entire history, from 1861 to 1865. Good book about jefferson davis nonfiction history of.
He led the confederacy during the american civil war. Biography on a grand scale, the most comprehensive treatment of davis and his times yet to appear. A statement concerning the imputed special causes of his long imprisonment by the government of the united states, and by george shea, jefferson davis isbn 9781272833275 9781. Discover book depositorys huge selection of jefferson davis books online. This historical book has no small measure of autobiography present, since the author jefferson davis was at the forefront of many of the events described on the pages. Wlliam davis has written a well researched and skillful biography of a major player in american history. From a distinguished historian of the american south comes this thoroughly human portrait of the complex man at the center of our nations most epic struggle. Jefferson finis davis june 3, 1808 december 6, 1889 was an american politician who served as the president of the confederate states from 1861 to 1865. This is a fine resource for those of casual interest about jefferson davis and the civil war as well as those of a more scholarly bent. A statement concerning the imputed special causes of his long imprisonment by the government of the united states, and by george shea, jefferson davis isbn 9781272833275 9781272833275. Jefferson davis, president of the confederate states of america during the entire civil war, 1861 to 1865 18081889 this ebook presents the rise and fall of the confederate government volume ii, from jefferson davis. Charles frazier gives jefferson davis wife a voice in varina. He was named jefferson after the 3rd president thomas jefferson. The man and his hour, published by louisiana state university press.
Jefferson davis davis, jefferson, 18081889 online books about this author are available, as is a wikipedia article davis, jefferson, 18081889. Good book about jefferson davis nonfiction history of the. Before becoming a leader of the slave states in rebellion, he was viewed by some as a plausible future president of the. He is most famous for serving as the only president of the confederate states of america, leading the rebelling southern slave states the confederacy to defeat because of a lack of soldiers and supplies toward the end of the american civil war, 186165.
Jefferson davis parish library jennings elton lake. Charles frazier gives jefferson davis wife a voice in. Not unexpectedly jefferson davis is portayed in too heroic a light which dims the qualities he possessed. It is a long book 658 pages of text, plus extensive end notes. Chapter 1 there my memories begin jefferson davis was born on june 3, 1808, in christian county, kentucky. He wrote an acquaintance in 1858 that there has been some controversy about the year of my birth among the older members of my family, and i am not a competent witness in the case, having once supposed the year to have been 1807, i was subsequently corrected by being informed.
The title of this book is not only fitting, but serves as a much needed tribute to a great patriot. This portrait puts the emphasis on daviss private warmth, public coolness, personal insecurity and indecisiveness during the civil war. He approaches his subject sympathetically, grounding his book. Jefferson davis expresident first edition jefferson. Davis cumquat junior diliberto iii published by createspace independent publishing platform isbn 10. Jefferson davis is one of the most complex and controversial figures in american political history and the man whom oscar wilde wanted to meet more than. When jefferson davis, who was named for thomas jefferson, was age three, his family settled on a plantation called rosemont in woodville, mississippi. Inaugural address of president davis, delivered at the capitol, monday, february 18, 1861, at 1 oclock, p. Jefferson davis davis, jefferson, 18081889 the online. Many americans in jefferson davis own time and in later generations considered him an incompetent leader, if not a traitor. Jefferson davis books list of books by author jefferson. Charles fraziers new novel relates the untold story of.
Jefferson davis books list of books by author jefferson davis. Charles frazier, author of cold mountain, has written varina, historical fiction about jefferson davis wife. A fine, objective portrait in paradox, shrewdly detailing how jefferson daviss character flaws rendered him woefully unsuited to be president of the confederacy. Strategypage drawing heavily upon primary sources, such as diaries, journals, letters, and newspapers, dr. Jefferson davis, was, of course, the president of the confederacy, and hes most in the news these days for statues in his image being taken down around the south. The greatest value comes from recollections of the personal and social life of the davises within the confederate white house during the war. One of the most popular features of the davis papers website, these charts carry the extended family two generations beyond that of the confederate president, and the direct line three generations past davis. First edition of this biography of jefferson davis written by his wife, with two facsimile letters, two folding maps and more than 30 plates. List of books and articles about jefferson davis online. Jefferson davis, napoleonic france, and the nature of confederate ideology, 18151870 conflicting worlds. May 01, 2019 certainly jefferson davis american by i forgot the first name of the author cooper has been the standard for many years. Apr 03, 2018 charles frazier, author of cold mountain, has written varina, historical fiction about jefferson davis wife.
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