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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
A clever, interesting, and humane look at the way the Civil War is remembered in America. Horwitz also gets at deeper issues of race in America. Also, it's pretty funny.
I was curious, specifically wondering how this book from the late 90s relates to the current polarized US. Tr book feels both dated and sadly reflective of how different people feel about politics, history, and the confederate flag.
The book, quite frankly had too much battle re-enactment and talking about battles and generals for me to enjoy it. I was curious about the people living now (or in the 90s) but discussion of a battle pretty much always bores me.
The book, quite frankly had too much battle re-enactment and talking about battles and generals for me to enjoy it. I was curious about the people living now (or in the 90s) but discussion of a battle pretty much always bores me.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This book started out strong, but I lost steam about halfway through and struggled to make it to the end.
Mr. Horowitz is a compelling storyteller, but I found many of the "characters" he encountered along his journey through the south to be a bit too eccentric to be believable. It was an interesting read, but a touch to unbelievable to be a nonfiction book.
Mr. Horowitz is a compelling storyteller, but I found many of the "characters" he encountered along his journey through the south to be a bit too eccentric to be believable. It was an interesting read, but a touch to unbelievable to be a nonfiction book.
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
As a Yankee gal living below the Mason-Dixon line this book was a great way to gain some insight to the Southern perspective of the Civil War. Horowitz really immerses himself in the Civil War culture and brings the reader along for a great ride.
The beginning of the book was interesting, entertaining and a little frightening (considering the views of some of the modern-day people he met). However the "Civil Wargasm" chapter in the middles was long and tedious and I almost lost interest in the book entirely. The last third of the book was ok, similar to the first third, but tempered with fewer frightening people.
Through out the book Tony kept referring to his own obsession with the war and claiming he was seeking a reason why he so liked the war. However, he didn't really appear to be searching. This personal obsession with the war felt like it was just continually dropped in, that the author felt that the book needed some sort of personal, emotional attachment, that the story of his research and journey itself could not carry the book. Personally, I felt like the personal "search" didn't connect with the rest of the book and could have been left out, especially since he didn't really come up with an answer, just a sappy, emotional way to end the book.
Through out the book Tony kept referring to his own obsession with the war and claiming he was seeking a reason why he so liked the war. However, he didn't really appear to be searching. This personal obsession with the war felt like it was just continually dropped in, that the author felt that the book needed some sort of personal, emotional attachment, that the story of his research and journey itself could not carry the book. Personally, I felt like the personal "search" didn't connect with the rest of the book and could have been left out, especially since he didn't really come up with an answer, just a sappy, emotional way to end the book.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I lost interest about two thirds of the way through. It is certainly not a bad book, by any means. The writing is solid, but the topic isn't all that interesting to me. If you're into Civil War history and/or reenactment (and if you have a stronger stomach than I do for racism - Horwitz appears to be a liberal, but many of the people he meets along his journey are raging bigots), you'd probably enjoy this book.
Finally got this book read. Near the end of the book he goes to school in the South to see what is being taught about the Civil War...and it occurred to me, I grew up in Colorado, and well, I don't recall hardly ANYTHING being taught about the Civil War. It is interesting to me how across our country there are different focuses. I had history of the Native Americans over and over and over...and yet, not so much on Colonial history, or the Civil War, or the Civil Rights movement -- and my husband who grew up back east, TONS on Colonial history, not so much on Native Americans. just interesting. maybe there should be a better balance??
Back to this book...I enjoyed it quite a lot. There are some crazies, but really, I think you get that in any hobby/interest you run across. Most of the folks are just interested, and enjoy their weekends away. I learned a lot, and enjoyed the writing.
Back to this book...I enjoyed it quite a lot. There are some crazies, but really, I think you get that in any hobby/interest you run across. Most of the folks are just interested, and enjoy their weekends away. I learned a lot, and enjoyed the writing.