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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Very nicely done -- Horwitz captures the bizarre and repugnant moments and characters as well as he does the poignant and sympathetic ones. This book made me laugh, gasp, and touch my heart.
I adored this book. I truly did.
I bought it when I moved from the Midwest into the heart of the South (Atlanta, Ga), and it was exactly the introduction I needed to my new home state.
I could rave about his excellent research, quality writing, and phenomenal dedication to the task at hand (not to mention throwing out there that he has a Pulitzer for reporting!), but I really want to say this: He's married to my favorite author of all time, Geraldine Brooks, so he's obviously a man worthy of our attention!
I bought it when I moved from the Midwest into the heart of the South (Atlanta, Ga), and it was exactly the introduction I needed to my new home state.
I could rave about his excellent research, quality writing, and phenomenal dedication to the task at hand (not to mention throwing out there that he has a Pulitzer for reporting!), but I really want to say this: He's married to my favorite author of all time, Geraldine Brooks, so he's obviously a man worthy of our attention!
I picked up Confederates in the Attic shortly after events in Charlottesville. Subtitled "Dispatches from the unfinished Civil War," Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Tony Horowitz travels the Southern U.S. to find out how attitudes about the Confederacy are still alive today. Horowitz delves into family pride, race, culture and the dark side of Confederate affiliation. Teachers, historians, bikers, a Scarlett O'Hara impersonator, and the last living Confederate bride all offer their perspective of how and why the ghosts of the Civil War are kept alive. Touring war sites with 'hardcore' re-enactor Robert Lee Hodge is a highlight of the book, which is by turns funny, sad and disturbing. The book is as timely today as it was when first written 20 years ago. Highly recommended; one of the best books I've read thus far this year.
If you want a non-traditional history lesson on the Civil War (with social commentary on our education, social and political systems), this book is for you. While it's focused solely on states of the Confederacy, it spans both sides of the war regarding its characters, sentiments and fact-telling. The characters Tony encounters are a mixed bag of flat-affected and eccentrically enthusiastic; very rarely does he come across a 'next door neighbor' type individual.
I thoroughly enjoyed this exploration of Civil War memory and white identity in the American South, and even though it was published 20 years ago, it felt very relevant given recent events in Charlottesville and the current political divide in the US. I give it four instead of five stars only because the attempt to address ongoing racism and Black attitudes toward the Civil War felt cursory and the author didn’t address or interrogate his own racism (which all of us have) at times when he had an opportunity to do so, particularly in the chapters in Alabama.
An absolute must read for anyone who studies the Civil War.
This is the best book I was ever assigned. It's history and journalism in one and having lived in the South for over 30 years, it explained a lot. It's fascinating reading even for non-southerners and non-Americans because it illustrates how historical memory lives on far beyond a historical event and it becomes part of the culture.
This is one of my favorite books ever. Never before have I read a book over and over until this one. It is hilarious, honest, and eye opening. Horwitz shines light on some real issues and takes his readers to a world many of us couldn't have imagined. I fell in love with some of his Civil War buddies and was inspired to take a trip across the former Confederacy myself. This is a must read for anyone who loves history.