I remember very little about the Civil War from my school days. I remember even less about specific characters who participated in it other than Abraham Lincoln. He was always characterized as a saint, Grant was a drunk. And Robert Lee was simply a mystery. This book, although it is Historical Fiction, began clearing some of the cobwebs for me concerning this subject. For one example, I don't remember the Civil War being such a politically charged subject. It becomes clear early in [The Secret Trial Of Robert E. Lee], that politics played a huge role in why that war took place at all. It also became clear to me early on that I did not like Lee at all. I found his peculiar need to be impeccably outfitted particularly distasteful in view of the fact that his soldiers were dressed in tatters and few, if any, had uniforms at all. All of that said, I enjoyed this book very much. Because I read it, I want to read more about the Civil War both for the political angles and also for perspective from soldiers who had to fight it. History books issued in school classrooms don't begin to cover the many facets to this horrible chapter in US history, and from my experience, history teachers drop the ball when it comes to making this period take on real dimensions. I'd recommend this book to any fan of historical fiction as well as Civil War knowledge. ( )

This novel is based on a true story of how Robert E. Lee was secretly tried by Northern abolitionists for treason immediately after the war and Lincoln assassination. The narrator is a young Irish immigrant who was given a job as a newspaper reporter by Charles Dana, a journalist turned politician. Dana brought charges against Lee and convened a military tribunal to conduct a trial that he believed had a given conclusion. However, there are surprises in the witnesses and testimony, while events in the community threaten to derail the proceedings.

Fleming brings these historical characters to life. A recommended read for anyone who enjoys Civil War history and historical fiction. ( )