I'm not entirely captivated by the concept of uploading book after book here immediately after I've read them. It strikes me as rather absurd and superfluous. Therefore, I'm lagging behind in that regard.

However, I just completed this one yesterday and I'm extremely let down. So, I think it merits a short review. It's most definitely my least favorite among Adam's novels. It's overwhelmingly tiresome, if that's even conceivable. Eh.

To expand further, I find myself questioning the practicality of such rapid book uploading. It seems more like a compulsion than a meaningful activity.

The disappointment I felt with this particular novel was palpable. The story dragged on and on, lacking the excitement and engagement that I've come to expect from Adam's works.

Overall, while I may not be in a rush to upload every book I read, this one definitely stands out as a disappointment that I felt compelled to share my thoughts on.

This book took me an incredibly long time to finish, and that fact alone speaks volumes. Richard Adams was indeed a remarkable writer, and one of my absolute favorites. I have discovered a great deal to admire in many of his other works, even those that might have had some structural flaws. However, "Traveller" as a book simply didn't manage to capture my full attention. I found myself reading only a handful of pages at a time, and it was only the closing chapters that managed to draw me in and make me want to keep turning the pages.

Despite this initial disappointment, as I closed the last page, I couldn't help but feel that it is still a good book, perhaps one that requires the right kind of reader. Just like in his other works such as "Watership Down" and "The Plague Dogs", Adams writes from an animal's viewpoint, and he does it with great virtuosity. He employs a Virginian dialect throughout the book, which he executes with his customary diligence. The central character, the horse Traveller, is clearly and sympathetically portrayed. He is a simple animal with the conceits and prides that are typical of his species, and yet he is deeply in tune with his human. The struggles of the people involved in a cause that history has judged harshly are shown sympathetically from the inside. There is no glorification of the Confederate cause, but the personalities involved are portrayed in three dimensions. In short, many of Adams's usual authorial virtues are on display, which makes my personal conclusion somewhat saddening.

In my opinion, a significant structural weakness lies in the narrative's overemphasis on war events. After the opening section that talks about Traveller's upbringing, the vast majority of the book becomes a blur of confusing marches and battles. From the horse's perspective, there is no coherent narrative, and despite the opening diary-style italicized sections at the beginning of each chapter to aid the reader, this sense of purposeless action is transmitted to the reader, perhaps deliberately. Now, I daresay that "purposeless action" describes a large part of the American Civil War quite accurately, but it makes for a rather leaden narrative. This might have been a very different review if the book had been shortened from its actual 350 pages to 150 pages.

If I had been in a more sympathetic mood when I reached the end of the book, the final chapters might have seemed poignant. As it was, they seemed to verge on mawkishness. And just when any lingering sense of optimism might have remained, Wikipedia delivered the final blow, informing me that the historical Traveller died of Tetanus after stepping on a nail shortly after the end of the book.

This is definitely a book that I feel I should have liked a great deal more than I actually did. It has many redeeming qualities, but for some reason, it just didn't quite click with me.

**"Robert E Lee's Horse Narrates"**

I am the horse that carried General Robert E Lee.

My life has been filled with both glory and hardship.

I remember those long marches, the sound of my hooves pounding on the ground.

The battles were terrifying, with the smell of gunpowder and the cries of men.

But I always stayed by General Lee's side, carrying him through it all.

He was a great leader, and I was proud to serve him.

Even in defeat, he remained strong and dignified.

As I look back on my life, I know that I was a part of something important.

I may just be a horse, but I had a role to play in history.

And I will always remember the man who rode me, General Robert E Lee.

I did not love this book as deeply as I recall loving it when I first read it in the late '80s.

Adams' unique ability to write from the animal's perspective is still something I admire. He did an excellent job in "Watership Down" with the rabbits, and in this book, he effectively conveys the confusion of a horse facing the horrors of war, as well as the horse's love and loyalty for the man who cares for and protects him during those perilous times.

However, my issue lies with the fact that the man Traveller idolizes is Robert E. Lee. While Lee was undoubtedly a proficient and caring horseman, he was also the leader of a rebellious army that fought to uphold the institution of slavery. Idealizing such a person, even through the eyes of a horse, presents a problem.

Although I liked how Traveller's narration was presented in a Virginia style of speaking that he presumably learned from those around him, I winced at his use of the n-word. The authenticity of his speech could have been achieved without that offensive term.

Nevertheless, despite not being a horse enthusiast, I grew to love Traveller for his innocent and positive outlook, remaining hopeful even in the midst of the surrounding horror.

Traveller is a remarkable memoir that offers a distinct perspective on the Civil War. It is told from the viewpoint of a horse, who was adopted by Lee early in the conflict.

Traveller speaks in a prominent southern dialect, providing a unique yet somewhat limited view of the war. The memoir is presented as musing memories shared with the barn cat that keeps Traveller company while Marse Robert attends to his duties as a college president after the war.

Traveller doesn't truly understand what the war is or why men are so eager to participate. As a general rule, he prefers to stay away from the loud bangs and booms. However, he endures them because he loves General Lee, whom he considers to be part horse, as Marse Robert seems to understand them so well.

Traveller's thoughts on the war are shaped by what he overhears from the conversations of men and horses. The book is filled with an abundance of other equines, many of which reflect the personalities of their masters.

Interestingly, Traveller has his own set of names for Lee's generals. He refers to them not by their actual names but by his own private designations, such as Ol’ Pete, Cap-in-the-eyes, and Jine-the-Cavalry.

Although Adams occasionally inserts narrative at significant milestones, the reader would benefit from having a general understanding of the main battles of the Army of Northern Virginia to avoid confusion.

After all, Traveller is just a horse and can't explicitly tell you that he has witnessed a particular battle. However, the moderately informed reader can piece together the when and where and anticipate what is about to happen.

For example, when "Cap-in-the-eyes" rides off into the dark and is never seen alive again (at least not by Traveller), the reader can make certain inferences.

Overall, for the Civil War enthusiast, this is a unique and captivating story. It is especially interesting for those who hold Lee in high regard and enjoy seeing his human side.

We see the quiet man struggling with heart issues, facing the challenge of leading an enthusiastic but ragged group of country peasants against an industrial army several times his size, with little support from his own government, which is run by feckless and self-absorbed patricians.

This memoir offers a fresh and engaging look at a significant period in American history through the eyes of an unlikely narrator.

The perfect book for me!

I have a deep love for history, and the Civil War is one of my favorites.

Moreover, I also have a passion for horses.

So, Adam's tale about the Civil War Horse of Robert E. Lee is truly wonderful.

In this book, Lee's story is told from the perspective of his favorite horse, Traveler.

It offers a unique and fascinating look at the events and experiences of the Civil War through the eyes of this remarkable animal.

The author does an excellent job of bringing Traveler to life, making the reader feel as if they are right there with the horse and its rider.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves history, horses, or both.

It is a captivating and engaging story that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

A horse was grazing in the field when it noticed a cat sitting nearby. The horse decided to strike up a conversation with the cat. "Hello, little cat," said the horse. "How are you today?"

The cat looked up at the horse and meowed. "I'm doing fine," it replied. "Just enjoying the sun."

The horse nodded. "That's good to hear. I was thinking, do you ever wonder what it would be like to be as big as me?"

The cat thought for a moment. "Well, I guess it would be nice to be able to run and jump really far," it said. "But I also like being small and able to fit into small spaces."

The horse laughed. "That's true. I guess every animal has its own unique qualities."

The cat purred in agreement. "Yes, and it's important to appreciate what we have."

The two animals continued to talk for a while, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company.

Although the story is creative, insightful, and at times harrowing, with moments that are truly delightful, there is one aspect that can become a bit tiresome after several hundred pages. That is having a horse narrator with such a strong southern dialect. While it adds a unique charm and authenticity to the tale initially, as the pages turn, the repetition of the same dialectical patterns can start to wear on the reader. However, there is a definite best part to this narrative. It comes in the form of Traveller's explanation of flags. He describes them as "these here colored cloths on sticks," which is both endearing and a rather novel way of looking at something that most of us take for granted. This simple yet profound description gives the reader a new perspective on flags and adds an extra layer of depth to the story.

This novel is written in the style of Black Beauty, in which Traveller tells his own story.

Starting from his young days on the farm and then going through the campaigns of the American Civil War, he evolves into the trusted horse of General Robert E Lee.

The book is extremely well-written, and it truly gives the reader the feeling of the horse attempting to figure out the things he witnesses and experiences.

From Traveller's perspective, the 'Blue Men' are regarded as the enemy, while 'Marse Roberts' is the man who will give them a proper look.

It is a book that one can relish and smile at, despite the fact that some of the scenes are truly harrowing. However, Traveller's gentle nature enables him to persevere through it all.

Overall, it offers a unique and engaging perspective on the events of the Civil War through the eyes of a horse.

I have an absolute passion for the concept of this book. However, regrettably, I discovered that the execution was somewhat lacking. Since Traveller is, after all, a horse and fails to comprehend all the intricate details of what is transpiring in the war, the book essentially consists of one march or battle after another. Even though I have dedicated many years to studying the Civil War, I was not even certain which battles some of them were supposed to be, as there were so few distinguishing features mentioned. Once again, due to the fact that he is a horse, his experience of the battles mainly centers around being afraid of the bullets and shells and attempting not to panic and throw his master.

Then there is the issue of Traveller believing that the Confederacy won most of their battles and ultimately, the war. I am not entirely sure how I feel about this aspect of the novel. At times, it is amusing, but in the end, it left me with the sensation that I had read one of those books that explores what might have occurred had the Confederates emerged victorious, which simply does not function all that well in this context.

Nevertheless, this book is worth reading if you are a Civil War enthusiast, if only for the novelty of it. Traveller undoubtedly has a unique perspective on the world, and his observations are often unintentionally witty or wise. My favorite part was probably his nicknames for the Confederate generals, which I am certain you can figure out if you are a fellow Civil War buff: Cap-in-His-Eyes, Jine-the-Cavalry, Red Shirt, and so on.

A war story with a difference!

This remarkable book presents the account of the American Civil War from the unique perspective of Traveller, the trusted horse of Robert E. Lee.

One can easily envision that a horse's perception of war varies significantly from that of a human.

Traveller vividly describes the events as he witnesses them, and his interpretations offer an intriguing contrast to the actual happenings known to the reader.

As an English individual with limited knowledge about this war prior to reading this book, I have gained a substantial amount of understanding through Traveller's arduous experiences and hardships.

The story unfolds in a captivating manner, allowing the reader to see the war through the eyes of this noble creature.

It provides a fresh and engaging take on a historical event, making it a must-read for those interested in American history or simply in search of a different kind of war story.

The author's ability to bring Traveller to life and tell the story from his perspective is truly remarkable.

Overall, this book is a fascinating and enlightening read that offers a new and unique perspective on the American Civil War.

This book was extremely boring.

The horse Traveller had very little perception of the events happening around him, which made me feel completely disconnected from the story.

There was no character development at all, so I had no interest in any of the characters.

Throughout the entire book, Traveller claims that important things are taking place, but he doesn't really understand what they are.

Therefore, unless you are already a civil war enthusiast, I can't fathom how you could figure out what is going on.

There are just a bunch of battles and shootings, and that's about it.

This was a truly painful read.

I had to force myself to finish it.

And I wouldn't have bothered if it weren't the book club book for this month.

I really hope the next book we read is more engaging and interesting.