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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
This is a memoir written in the late 1990s, following Horwitz's travels through the South in search of southern perspectives on the Civil War - and the resulting insights are as disturbing to Horwitz as they are to me, a student and teacher of American history. Nor is this just a matter of some revisionist history, of which all of us may be guilty from time to time - but instead, Horwitz finds ample evidence of southerners for whom the war - and particularly, both its causes and its loss - are still fresh and present wounds. When he finishes up in some Alabama classrooms - both white, black and integrated - the understandings, and attitudes, of almost all of the students are simply discouraging. I would be very interested to know what my friends who live in the south - Daniel Wieland, Jim Ribble, Eric Lapp, Susan Upshaw Thomas - have to say on this still controversial subject.
Anna: I just read this great book about Civil War buffs: Confederates in the Attic, by Tony Horwitz.
Mom: Tony Horwitz?! I went out with his brother! I think I made out with his brother at the Sidwell prom!
Anna: Cool! and . . . weird.
Mom: Tony Horwitz?! I went out with his brother! I think I made out with his brother at the Sidwell prom!
Anna: Cool! and . . . weird.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, War
Moderate: Racial slurs
An enlightening look at the South's current view of the war.
I marked it read and I guess that's true. It's as read as it's going to get. I really did NOT like this book. I don't mind a little bias (being from the South, I have become accustomed to it at least a little) but it's tedious. Ick.
This was an enlightening look at the South(if a bit dated-it was first published in 1998)and the way some Southerners view their history. What I found most valuable was the depth of connection many of the people felt to the land, the area, the past; being able to hold items in their hands that belonged to their ancestors, stand on the land that their ancestors stood on, farmed on, fought on. Both black and white are represented here, and yes, there are humorous stories about rednecks and rebel flags, but the majority of this book, to me, represents a story of times past and present and places (and people) that are trying to find peace, inside and out.
It wasn't what I expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, and would recommend it to those who enjoy history and learning about how the past affects the present.
It wasn't what I expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, and would recommend it to those who enjoy history and learning about how the past affects the present.
I read a grown up book! This book was very good. It did at times, however, embarrassed to be from the south and appalled at the divisive sentiments that still exist in our country.
Overall, a pretty interesting book. I listened to it because since moving to Nashville have realized how much people talk about the Civil War. This book was written/researched 15-20 years ago but is still crazily relevant today. Parts were slow but I learned a lot.
It's really hard to believe this book is 20 years old. I found myself comparing it to Blue Highways constantly, but it's kind of unfair, even though they are both Americana travelogues with some vaguely similar themes.Blue Highways meanders through the idea of Southern identity and culture because that's where the author was. Confederates in the Attic is much more focused because that's what the author wanted to explore. I read these books too close together. Anyway, don't expect answers. I'm pretty sure the last 20 years have made things even more complicated.
adventurous
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
It's a good exploration of the south's attitudes toward the civil war and the confederacy. It's a little old now, so it's interesting to think about how things continue to change. I think things are different now, but how can we really know without an adventure like Tony Horowitz went on?
Bonus: I went and saw Stonewall Jackson's arm because Tony talks about where it is!
Bonus: I went and saw Stonewall Jackson's arm because Tony talks about where it is!