Rate: 2/5

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (No Spoilers): In August I read the fascinating Robert E. Lee biography, Clouds of Glory by Michael Korda and found myself intrigued and curious by the very unique character of Stonewall Jackson. As such, when I stumbled across Rebel Yell, which explored Jackson’s rise to success and fame, as well as his untimely death, I was excited to pick up a book based on this eccentric Confederate General, especially considering how much I’d enjoyed Clouds of Glory. With that being said, Rebel Yell was a mediocre read that failed to keep me engaged and rapt as the story progressed. Of note, I’ve noticed when I give a book a 2/5 rating I’ve had many, many people comment on how the book must have been a bad read or that they would make sure to avoid picking it up themselves. I would like to counter this with the thought that within my rating system if I read a book that is ‘OK’ then I rate it as a two, whereas if I genuinely like the book in question then it deserves the rating of three. As such, Rebel Yell was not a bad or terrible book that I’m ostracizing in this review, it was in fact an just an ‘OK’ read that failed to connect with me on a higher level. Based on the many high reviews I’ve seen online for this book many readers will not agree with me, which is completely fine.  I love when readers have different opinions when reading the exact same book! I believe that my fault with the Rebel Yell lies in part with the formatting and organizing of the text, in which the story starts off with Jackson during the Civil War and incorporates flashbacks and stories throughout as the main narrative continues along toward his death. I feed off of organization and prefer a biography to begin with the subject matter’s parents and birth and follow them through till death. I really enjoy books that are able to capture events and influences within the person of interest’s childhood and adolescence that helped shape them into the individual that they eventually become. When nonfiction books use the flashback structuring, I’m almost always left feeling as though I was not given all of the information regarding the individual, as such am not able to fully connect or understand the aforementioned person. Other than the formatting issue, which again is a personal preference, Gwynne packed a ton on details and information regarding battles and correspondence into the Rebel Yell, which kept me reading for that purpose alone. Stonewall was truly unique and quirky individual who appears to have been born during the right time and place to make his name in history. Overall, while I didn’t necessarily enjoy Rebel Yell, especially compared to Clouds of Glory, it was still jam packed with oodles of details regarding the Civil War, including battles, politics, and everyday soldier life.