Robert E. Lee: A Life Allen C. Guelzo (Knopf, 608 pages, $35) “Who’s that man on the horse?” I asked my father at a young age. “That’s Lee — he led the South in the Civil War.” He gave me…
Old Town is a historic corner of Alexandria, Virginia, rich with historic homes inhabited by many of Washington, D.C.’s managing class. Alexandria voted overwhelmingly for President Joe Biden in 2020. During the campaign, Trump lawn signs were a challenge to…
Washington and Lee University has announced that it will keep its name. In normal times that would seem unexceptional. Both Washington and Lee long have been honored as exceptional men. But both the leading revolutionary general and first president and…
Bonaparte or Napoleon? Revolutionary general carrying the banner of liberal humanism across Europe? Tyrannical emperor imposing arrogant domination? Or epic hero bearing glory of universal appeal? The French, to the degree they pay any heed at all to the reluctant…
How long must the South be chastised for its history? For the editors of the New York Times, apparently, the answer is, “Forever.” Nothing could be more obvious in its intended purpose than the non-accidental choice of Leesburg, Virginia, for…
We live in an age that obsesses over past evils while ignoring present ones. In this spirit, the checkered Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam patted himself on the back for the recent removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee from…
The president is threatening to veto the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Currently set for conference committee to resolve differences between the Senate and House, the $740 billion legislation deserves rejection because it authorizes too much for the military…
When mobs are attacking statues of Ulysses S. Grant, it is difficult to have an intelligent discussion about why some Confederate generals and officials deserve respect. No one today defends the role of slavery. However, if belief in racial equality…
One of Winston’s Churchill’s duties as First Lord of the Admiralty was to submit names for new navy ships to the king. As a matter of course, approval would be routine. But once, King George V demurred. Churchill had submitted…
