In a new critical biography of Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Anderson Early, Civil War historian B.F. Cooling III takes a fresh look at one of the most fascinating, idiosyncratic characters in the pantheon of Confederate heroes and villains.

Molding a Piedmont soldier, lawyer and reluctant secessionist -- Proving himself: First Bull Run to Second Fredericksburg -- Searching for Stonewall's successor -- Jubal's moment of truth: the Washington Campaign -- Lee's forlorn hope: the Shenandoah nadir -- Unrepentant apostle of the lost cause -- Old Jube and American memory: explaining Jubal Early.