[.uk] Jackson & Lee: Legends in Gray: The Paintings of Mort ... (ISBN 1558533338)

Amazon.com Review:
This grand collection of paintings by the accomplished historical artist Mort Kunstler makes the past come alive on canvas. Generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee appear in most of the paintings, but not all of them. Union colonel Joshua Chamberlain's glorious charge down Little Round Top on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg is included, for example, as are portraits of General Ulysses S. Grant and others. What's more, Jackson & Lee isn't just a picture book, although it would be a worthwhile investment for that element alone. The text, written by acclaimed Jackson biographer James I. Robertson Jr., provides an interesting narrative about Jackson and Lee and their relationship.

Excellent combination of art and history!:
Outstanding compilation of information, and the best images of primiere Civil War artist Mort Kunstler. A "must have" for all serious students of the American Civil War.

THE EYES HAVE IT ! !:
I have read and "studied" several of Mr.Kunstler's books and enjoyed them all.I particularly enjoy the artists comments as to why he does some of the things the way he does.This book is different in that his art is not accompanied by his explanations but by another writer's text.This text is very good and really brings out the personalities of these great characters.As one who believes that it is important to understand the personalities of the people involved if one is to understand why things happened the way they did;this is very well done. As to the title of my review;I find eyes fascinating.The first thing I look at in Mr.Kunstler's paintings is the eyes.Let me point out Confederate Sunset on pg.56 both Lee's and Jackson's eyes are very beady and staring resulting in them looking like figures in a wax museum;giving the painting a posed and unnatural feeling.Other examples are of Jackson on pages 38and 40.Note the difference in Jackson's eyes on page44.Another thing I like to study is how some paintings look very stiff,posed almost like a diorama in a museum,eg.The Return of Stuart on pg.126.Compare this to The Last Council on pg.102 which is so realistic. Am I alone in seeing this aspect of Mr.Kunstler's work?