Thanks Roger!

I always thought the plot did not go higher than Benjamin. I kind of figured that Benjamin and Davis had the sort of relationship where Davis felt whatever Benjamin did was OK by him, he just didn't want to know what he was up to.

(11-10-2014 03:00 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  I always thought the plot did not go higher than Benjamin. I kind of figured that Benjamin and Davis had the sort of relationship where Davis felt whatever Benjamin did was OK by him, he just didn't want to know what he was up to.

After reading this book, I have the impression that Benjamin was willing to do unpopular things that Davis sanctioned and take the heat for Davis, which he did on occasion. Davis was a little bit more hard core and not as willing to compromise or soften his position as Benjamin was.
Near the end of the war, Benjamin was in favor of freeing the slaves if they fought for the confederacy, Davis wasn't, until it was too late. While they were worked very close during the war, they had very little contact with each other after the war. Davis asked Benjamin for his assistance & recolections when he wrote "Rise and Fall of the Confederate Govenrment. Benjamin wanted to put it all behind him. As a result Davis only mentions him two or three times in the entire 2 volumes of over 1500 pages. Davis had difficulty finding a publisher and it didn't sell very well.

I have been fascinated with Judah Benjamin for years, Gene, but have always been too chicken to read about him because I have a hard time staying awake with political tomes. Your comments on this book have me intrigued again, however. What are the chances of me not having an allergic reaction to politics if I read it?

(11-10-2014 06:30 PM)L Verge Wrote:  What are the chances of me not having an allergic reaction to politics if I read it?

I think you can handle it, but just in case keep some benadryl handy.

WARNING - do not watch the news and read this book during commercials. Do not operate heavy machinery while reading this book. While reading at night, may cause drowsiness. If drowsiness persist, discontinue reading and go to sleep. Do not take narcotics and alcohol together while reading this book. Do not take Benadryl if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A very dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice.
As always, should you or any of your IM force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. Good luck, Laurie.

Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is a one-of-a-kind review! I think I might just skip to the parts about his family and how he dealt with a very promiscuous wife...

Somewhere else in the symposium, a thread got a little sidetracked and turned to Judah P. Benjamin. I don't know about others on the symposium, but I'll buy a book and sometimes it will sit for years before I get in the mood to pick it up and read it. Such was the case of "Judah P. Benjamin, The Jewish Confederate. I am about 1/3 of the way through the book and I'm convinced that if we did not have a Civil War, Benjamin could very well have been remembered as one of our country's most brilliant politicians. This man was absolutely brilliant and would possibly be remembered as the most brilliant statesman of the century.

I just read that earlier this year. That was a good book, he was a remarkable individual.

Jim, you would make an outstanding guide at the Gamble Plantation in Ellenton, Florida. That's where Judah Benjamin hid for a brief period during his escape to Europe. Vicki and I have done the tour 4 or 5 times, and each time the guide basically says word for word what you said in your post.

JUDAH-What a fitting first name!

No less than Reverdy Johnson, who argued cases with Benjamin before the US Supreme Court said, " Benjamin had a power of argument rarely, if ever surpassed." I wonder (and doubt) if a statue has ever been erected to honor Benjamin?

Quote:I wonder (and doubt) if a statue has ever been erected to honor Benjamin?

Oddly enough, there are NO statues to Benjamin in Richmond! There are at least 2 of Davis; and on Monument Avenue there are the statues of the Generals; but nothing for Benjamin!

I agree - he was a brilliant politician and statesman. He reminds me of Benjamin Disraeli; also Jewish and also a brilliant and beloved statesman....

It was Reverdy Johnson who asked Akien to take his place in defending Mary Surratt!

(12-16-2014 07:30 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  Somewhere else in the symposium, a thread got a little sidetracked and turned to Judah P. Benjamin. I don't know about others on the symposium, but I'll buy a book and sometimes it will sit for years before I get in the mood to pick it up and read it. Such was the case of "Judah P. Benjamin, The Jewish Confederate. I am about 1/3 of the way through the book and I'm convinced that if we did not have a Civil War, Benjamin could very well have been remembered as one of our country's most brilliant politicians. This man was absolutely brilliant and would possibly be remembered as the most brilliant statesman of the century.

I was embarrassed to admit that I am the same way Jim, till I read that I am not alone. I will become feverish, obsessed even...on having a book, and sometimes it will sit on my shelf for...let's just say a looong time before I pick it up to read it. Such is the case with the "Memoirs of the Duc de Saint-Simon" which holds the record of TEN whopping years unread. I will get to it before I shuffle my mortal coil hopefully.

As for Judah Benjamin, I feel I've read most of the book simply from going over the reviews here. Thanks, folks!