Robert W. Young (2) (1959–)

4184 Senator James Murray Mason Defender of the Old South, by Robert W. Young (read 28 June 2006) Mason was born Nov. 3, 1798 and was US Senator from Virginia from Jan 21, 1847 till he withdrew from the Senate on Mar 28, 1861. The Confederates sent him to England and he was a central figure in the Trent affair, but Lincoln released him and he went to Europe and spent the war there trying to help the rebels. This book is really well researched and there is not a dull page. It is fully footnoted with an excellent bibliography. I have read some on the Civil War times but I found this told me things I did not know. Mason had really outrageous views, e.g., he held slavery was a great good for both races. The author does not editorialize so occasions for reprobating Mason and his objectionable views are omitted. But the ending is great--the good guys win the war and Mason never lives to see how the South reversed the war's outcome after 1877. This book was a highlight of the month's reading.… (plus d'informations)