“A fascinating, well-researched and long overdue biography of the Virginia
Military Institute’s most unheralded founder and underappreciated champion of
educational reform.”
̶ Dr. Bradford A. Wineman, Marine
Corps University
Read more about Randolph Shaffner on his website.
"This is a fascinating and extremely readable book, deeply researched but
never pedantic. It presents a thorough and persuasive defense of Col. Preston’s
unique role in the founding and preservation of V.M.I. and paints a vivid and
often surprising picture not only of this one eccentric, determined
reformer—schoolmate of Edgar Allan Poe and brother-in-law of Stonewall Jackson—and his family, but also of Virginia society before, during, and after
the Civil War."
̶ J J. B. McAfee, Richmond,
Virginia
"This biography from McFarland Publishing has the type of massive
bibliography and expansive scholarly documentation seen in quality original
works. I can't say I am familiar with this particular fellow (Civil War readers
encounter a lot of Prestons), but, as the title indicates, he was a key figure
in the institutional development of VMI. Preston and Stonewall Jackson both
married Junkin sisters, and the professor would also serve on Jackson's staff
during the war."
–"New Arrivals," Booknotes IV, Oct. 11, 2014, by
Drew at Civil War Books and Authors
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