This man of principles at every age was shaped by his environment as well as his choices。 The publisher's blurb is a good overview of this *warts and all* biography。 I found the writing style to be quite engaging and not at all the dry （and often misogynistic） manner commonly used regarding historical personages。 Shame on me as a former American Rev War re-enactor that I had not known the man's first name before now （Gilbert） nor had any notion of what the man did after leaving the western hemis This man of principles at every age was shaped by his environment as well as his choices。 The publisher's blurb is a good overview of this *warts and all* biography。 I found the writing style to be quite engaging and not at all the dry （and often misogynistic） manner commonly used regarding historical personages。 Shame on me as a former American Rev War re-enactor that I had not known the man's first name before now （Gilbert） nor had any notion of what the man did after leaving the western hemisphere。 Of course I learned a lot， but I am surprised to relate that I really enjoyed reading this book！I requested and received a free ebook copy from Perseus Books， PublicAffairs via NetGalley。 Thank you！ 。。。more