Well, in his youth he seems to have had the ability to inspire people to risk death for him, so the mythology isn't TOTALLY wrong. He certainly wasn't comfortable with the suggestions given by his military advisors, and many think that led to his downfall. In his middle and old age he sure messed up his earlier reputation by being a violent drunken laughingstock.....but somehow folks wanted (and still want) to believe the absolute best of him.

For me, his legacy is the slew of wonderful songs.

Rick