Young Robert E. Lee had two heroes: his father who'd been a dashing Revolutionary general and his father's friend, George Washington.

Robert went to West Point and became a soldier, like his heroes. He led a dangerous scouting expedition in the Mexican War, and became famous for his fairness and attention to duty.

When the Civil War started, Robert had to make a terrible decision. Should he side with the federal government, which he loved, or with Virginia? Robert felt he could not desert his native state in a time of trouble. He became the leader of a great Virginia army and the hero of the South. After the war was over, his one thought was for friendship again between the states. Lee was a brave American who always did what he thought was right.

From the dust jacket