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REVIEWS: Christian Cavalier: The
Spiritual Legacy of JEB Stuart
Michael Aubrecht proceeds from a
premise Lincoln understood; "Both sides pray to the
same God." His is scholarly research in a field
largely untouched in the volumes of Civil War
material that have preceded him; the devout faith
of two of the South's most important generals. It
makes for fascinating reading; both for modern
Southerners who may question the moral caliber of
their slave-holding ancestors, and for Northerners
who may have been taught that only the Union
fervently believed themselves to be following the
will of God. A must-read for anyone seriously
interested in the interior life of the players in
this great national tragedy.
Bill Oberst Jr., television and
film actor portraying General William T. Sherman in
the History Channel's critically acclaimed
docu-drama "Sherman's March"
On a visit to Winchester, Virginia
this past June, I had the great pleasure of meeting
Michael Aubrecht, a talented Civil War author and
historian from Fredericksburg. I recommend that all
Civil War historians take the time to read
Michael's blog and books. You will not be
disappointed.
Benjamin Smith, Managing Editor,
Civil War Historian magazine
Author Michael Aubrecht writes with
passion and insight. His books on Stonewall Jackson
and Jeb Stuart are excellent starting points to
gain insight into these two soldiers' Christian
faith. Hopefully, lovers of Christian history can
look forward to more works from Aubrecht.
Richard G. Williams Jr., author of
Stonewall Jackson - The Black Man's Friend, The
Maxims of Robert E. Lee for Young Gentlemen, and
Christian Business Legends
I found the Stuart piece most
interesting. I was familiar with Stuart's piety,
but it was nice to be able to put some meat on
those particular bones. I think you did a fine job
with the topic, and I appreciate your sharing them
with me.
Eric J. Wittenberg, cavalry
historian and author of Gettysburg's Forgotten
Cavalry Actions, The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads
and the Civil War's Final Campaign, and Plenty of
Blame to go Around, Jeb Stuart's Controversial Ride
to Gettysburg
Not everyone has the ability to
write non-fiction and make it as absorbing as a
piece of fiction. Fortunately, Michael Aubrecht,
author of "Christian Cavalier: The Spiritual Legacy
of J.E.B. Stuart," has that ability and exhibits
his skill here. Filled with personal quotes and
excerpts from letters and Stuart's own journal,
Christian Cavalier takes you through the life of
J.E.B. Stuart, particularly his war years, and
gives us a taste of who this great man actually
was. Author Michael Aubrecht, best known for his
contributions to Baseball-Almanac.com and the
Pinstripe Press, has penned a wonderful biography
of the great J.E.B. Stuart. Christian Cavalier was
obviously painstakingly researched and
exceptionally well-written by a man who feels
strongly concerning the topic about which he
writes. The style of Christian Cavalier is more
akin to that of a novel, rather than a history, and
is an easy and enjoyable read. Two thumbs up and
highly recommended. (4 out of 5 star rating)
Craig Alan Hart, Christian author
and critic: Christian Book
Reviews
The author takes you on a
biographical and inspirational journey through the
difficult days of the Civil War. Not only is the
account historically accurate, as a bonus it
entertains and inspires the reader. General J.E.B.
Stuart is shown to be a tough flamboyant warrior, a
skilled and motivated commanding officer, an
unselfish spiritual advisor to his troops, and a
benchmark for loyalty and patriotism. The author
gives vignettes into the private thoughts of a
loving family man, revealing the sacrifices and
difficulties he endured while serving valiantly for
God and Country. Although he fought for a
controversial cause, he is revealed as completely
honorable and patriotic, as confirmed by his
contemporaries from both the blue and the gray. The
author's weaving of an exciting chronicle about a
great American, will engross all readers. If you
are a history buff, this second volume by Michael
Aubrecht is a must read.
B. Davis Greer, author of The
Pegasus Affair
For all who have "read it all" as
far as biographies of General J.E.B. Stuart are
concerned, this spell-binding account is not to be
overlooked! As he did in "Onward Christian Soldier:
The Spiritual Journey of Stonewall," Michael has
gone where none have gone before with this brief,
but captivating treatment of the role Gen. J.E.B.
Stuart's spiritual and religious life played on and
off the battlefield. Both of Aubrecht's books are
necessary volumes for any serious student of the
Civil War.
Reverend Mike Motsko, Spotsylvania
Presbyterian Church
Being a born-again child of God and
portraying a Civil War chaplain at re-enactments
for the last 20 plus years, I am always on the look
out for books that deal with the Christian aspect
of those who fought that war. I was very excited
when I found out about two new books, "Onward
Christian Soldier, The Spiritual Journey of
Stonewall," and "Christian Cavalier, The Spiritual
Legacy of J.E.B. Stuart."
Author Michael Aubrecht has done a
great job of bringing out the Christian character
of these two men in a simple and easy to understand
way. You come away from reading these books with a
better understanding of these two Confederate
leaders and what motivated their actions, their
personal relationship with the Son of God, Jesus
Christ.
Chaplain Alan Farley, Re-enactor's
Missions For Jesus Christ
Serving The Civil War Re-enacting Community Since
1984: RMJC Website
I found that while concise, it
[Christian Cavalier, The Spiritual Legacy of J.E.B.
Stuart] is a most interesting and informative read.
Michael Aubrecht has obviously done his research
and uses his literary abilities to communicate his
findings to persons wishing to learn more about
this fine Confederate General.
Al Stone, General Robert E.
Lee in the History Channel documentary
titled "April1865"
Having read Aubrecht's first book,
entitled "Onward Christian Soldier," and enjoying
every bit of it, I looked forward to reading
"Christian Cavalier." As I said before, I have no
real knowledge of the history of the United States,
and most certainly none of the Civil War. However,
this book did not reach me the same way that
"Onward Christian Soldier" had.
The
writing is spectacular and exactly what I would
expect out of Michael, having read other pieces of
his work. It's the little things that really make a
book work, and Michael succeeded in those. That
said, it did not reach me on the same emotional
plane (I don't know which homonym to use here) as
the first. I learned a lot about Stuart and his
military finesse, but there wasn't the same amount
of spiritual essence in "Christian Cavalier."
However, I still think this book holds its own.
Despite the lack of the spiritual,
Aubrecht instilled in me a great respect for Stuart
as a man. He was only 31 when he died, but his
military accomplishments left me in awe. I look at
my husband who just recently turned 24, and I
wonder how it was even possible for a man to be so
dedicated to his training to get so far, while he
was still so young.
There was one part of the book that
touched me, being a mother, and it was when
Stuart's daughter died. His anguish is clearly felt
as he writes, "God has shielded me thus far from
bodily harm, but I feel perfect resignation to go
at his bidding and join my little Flora." I didn't
cry, but I certainly felt like it, knowing how
devastated I, myself, would be if I ever lost my
own little boy.
To
summarize, I feel where this book missed in its
lack of spiritual inspiration, it made up for it in
understanding for the man that J.E.B. Stuart was.
I'm only left with one question: was it pronounced
"Jay Eee Bee" ? Or "Jeb"? This Jew-girl gives
"Christian Cavalier" by Michael Aubrecht a 4 out of
5!
Jezreel Cohen, Jezreel Reviews
More To Come
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