Scan barcode
ehays84's review against another edition
5.0
I had to estimate the date that I read this book. I read it for an American history class in college. This is seriously one of my favorite ever books. I love the way that he blends history with travel writing by going and visiting the places that he writes about. I don't know a way to enter back into what the Civil War really meant and still means to America than this book.
beentsy's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. Although a fair bit of it was rather frightening, particularly the divisiveness of race still prevalent in much of the southern US, there were small pieces of hope for the future of people learning to live with each other now and not living only in the past.
Really interesting subject told in a very nontraditional method. Loved it.
Really interesting subject told in a very nontraditional method. Loved it.
samanthalenore's review against another edition
3.0
If I had reviewed this book immediately after having read it, I likely would have given it four stars. But after having unintentionally waited about six weeks to write this review, I've found myself having forgotten a lot of the substance of the book--and I think that this is due to the fact that this book is at its heart a travelogue. The chapters move from state to state. Don't get me wrong--Horwitz provides a lot of historical context (the chapter about Civil War POW camps was especially effective)--but I didn't feel like I got the information in a structured way that allowed me to absorb the information, apart from some very vivid insights into Civil War re-enactment (those chapters are incredible) and some of the unbelievable ways that the Civil War is remembered (and not remembered) in the South.
One thing I will admit, however, is that I somehow got out of taking American History, and I have a very fuzzy knowledge of the Civil War. (Apparently, according to Confederates in the Attic, I'm not alone in this knowledge gap.) However, I think my lack of knowledge of the specifics meant that I absorbed less content than I otherwise would have. Readers with a deeper knowledge of the war may get a lot more out of the book than I did. The core revelation of the book--the extent to which the War between the States, or the War of Northern Agression, is not really over in all parts of this country--is very interesting in and of itself, and makes for great reading. I think Horwitz was especially good when he discussed Civil War memory and contemporary race relations in the South--he didn't avoid the topic, but he didn't overstate his knowledge or scope of experience.
All in all, it's a very enjoyable book and easy to read. Recommended!
One thing I will admit, however, is that I somehow got out of taking American History, and I have a very fuzzy knowledge of the Civil War. (Apparently, according to Confederates in the Attic, I'm not alone in this knowledge gap.) However, I think my lack of knowledge of the specifics meant that I absorbed less content than I otherwise would have. Readers with a deeper knowledge of the war may get a lot more out of the book than I did. The core revelation of the book--the extent to which the War between the States, or the War of Northern Agression, is not really over in all parts of this country--is very interesting in and of itself, and makes for great reading. I think Horwitz was especially good when he discussed Civil War memory and contemporary race relations in the South--he didn't avoid the topic, but he didn't overstate his knowledge or scope of experience.
All in all, it's a very enjoyable book and easy to read. Recommended!
sloatsj's review against another edition
3.0
A little too much to-ing and fro-ing, this weird hick from here, that weird drifter from there, these obsessive Civil War geeks, that bunch of racists, the town where this happened, this quaint backroom museum, etc. It was enjoyable but I stopped before the end because, despite an interest in the Civil War, I didn't care. If you like boyish verve and masses of anecdotes, it's all yours.
oregon_small_fry's review against another edition
5.0
excellently crafted, moved along quickly with great little vignettes of southern life (don't get me started on the people he features who still worship the confederacy and *everything* it stands for....). As a person who has completely been swept up by different historical periods and consider myself somewhat of a history nerd, I resonated with the author & his journey. Kind of makes me wanna visit the south now
thehappybooker's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, they take this Civil War stuff waaaay to seriously, which makes for fun reading and a lot of anecdotal stories.
scottapeshot's review against another edition
5.0
Great writing, provocative history, illuminating our current situation and the artificial claims to connections with the past. I'll be reading all of Horwitz's books.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
2.0
2 STARS
I started this book without knowing anything about it other than the title. I assumed it was about Civil War but it is actually about Civil War reanactors and the South. It was an intriguing concept but I shortly became bored with it.
I started this book without knowing anything about it other than the title. I assumed it was about Civil War but it is actually about Civil War reanactors and the South. It was an intriguing concept but I shortly became bored with it.
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, but a bit drier than anticipated; certain expectations tend to be formed with a back cover blurb announcing that the material is "hilariously funny." Horwitz provides interesting insight into how the Civil War and its repercussions continue to affect us as a society through his experiences within ten Southern states, and I had to keep reminding myself that this book was published nearly 20 years ago as these issues are just as prevalent if not more so today. I was struck in particular by the complicated tale of Michael Westerman in Kentucky as well as the various attitudes and practices associated with educating today's youth about the Civil War within Alabama's schools. Horwitz's account of his time spent with reenactor buff Robert Lee Hodge mostly fell flat and did not provide the intended humor for me, but I liked discovering the vital work that reenactors do in bringing history to life for regular folk. I wish that the book had come to more of a summation on its topic instead of being presented as a scattered collection of thoughts and encounters, which would have made it more satisfying as a whole.
randywgravitz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5