I have been listening the The Killer Angels. It’s a rather good historical novel that is set in Gettysburg during the Civil War.
I am not sure how much of the story is to be believed, but one thing has been sticking out, at least in my mind. The Generals and commanders of the different regiments and corps are portrayed very vividly. Beyond that though, they are also portrayed in very simple terms. Men are either “Good” men or they are not. There is no ambiguity.
This is something I think about from time to time. Great men, men of action. I think our world sadly lacks men like that. I wish there were simpler terms to live by. Simpler ways, simpler litmus tests by which we should be judged, and by which we should ascribe meaning.
I think the problem with Great men in the past, is that they are in the past. Which means no one is alive to really tell what they were like. I wonder what history will say about us?