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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
The book starts with the author's own childhood love of the civil war, which was sparked by older relatives, especially his father. Horwitz declares his love of the rebel army, a love forged by their very rebelliousness, mixed with a draw to the underdog. I followed the narrative of this interest willingly, but I noticed a decided lack of comment on the slavery aspect until much farther into the book. In fact, he doesn't seem to touch on the thorny issue of how people can continue to love the confederacy when it was defined by slavery until more than halfway through:
"Rob's comments raised a question I'd been chewing on since the start of my trip. Was there such a thing as politically correct remembrance of the Confederacy? Or was any attempt to honor the cause inevitably tainted by what Southerners once delicately referred to as their 'peculiar institution'?" (page 239 of 386)
It does become central to the ideas he's trying to present, but I felt it should have been present from, if not the start, at least a lot sooner, especially since he had obviously been thinking about it.
Regardless, this was an interesting attempt to portray the issues at the heart of a clash that's still on-going.
"Rob's comments raised a question I'd been chewing on since the start of my trip. Was there such a thing as politically correct remembrance of the Confederacy? Or was any attempt to honor the cause inevitably tainted by what Southerners once delicately referred to as their 'peculiar institution'?" (page 239 of 386)
It does become central to the ideas he's trying to present, but I felt it should have been present from, if not the start, at least a lot sooner, especially since he had obviously been thinking about it.
Regardless, this was an interesting attempt to portray the issues at the heart of a clash that's still on-going.
Explains a lot about the state of our country
These "neo-Confederates" are absolutely MAGA acolytes today, and nothing about their obsessions makes sense without the explanatory variable of racism. Some of the other people he meets are just plain lovely, though, and reading about them makes the whole thing worth it
These "neo-Confederates" are absolutely MAGA acolytes today, and nothing about their obsessions makes sense without the explanatory variable of racism. Some of the other people he meets are just plain lovely, though, and reading about them makes the whole thing worth it
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Enjoyed this read. I did my own little tour of historic Civil War battlefields when I worked in Virginia. I always had mixed emotions about visiting those places, mostly because of the way a lot of people still cling to the CSA/rebel mindset and the inherent tragedy of it all. It's certainly an interesting facet of American history and modern culture. I was particularly amused by the depth of the "hardcore" culture and pleased to add farb to my vocabulary.
This isn’t a new book - it’s twenty years old at this point - but it’s one I’d like to see more books like. Which is to say, a thoughtful examination of how the Civil War and it’s issues affect us still today. Our racial and racist issues here in America will never move forward until we are all able to admit that race relations has always played a starring role in what it means to be American.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I shelved this book for years when I worked at Borders and was not tempted to read it. I thought I had an idea of what it was about--crazy Southern rednecks who like to pretend the Civil War is still a thing. I chose it for my book group since it was the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.
The book is fascinating on many levels. Tony Horwitz lets his curiosity lead him across the South in search of the meaning and ramifications of the Civil War (a name not entirely accepted there, but used for simplicity's sake by me). He meets war re-enactors, hard-core and farbs (you have to read the book to find out what a farb is), curators of odd and tiny museums, a Scarlett O'Hara entrepreneur, historian Shelby Foote, and battlefield enthusiasts. He finds that the War still resonates with many who have deep roots in the South, but for some, especially the young, it has lost all meaning.
There is much pleasure to be had by going along with Tony Horwitz on his odd journey, but some serious soul-searching about history, race, and the future of the South will be called for.
Recommended for all interested in U.S. history.
The book is fascinating on many levels. Tony Horwitz lets his curiosity lead him across the South in search of the meaning and ramifications of the Civil War (a name not entirely accepted there, but used for simplicity's sake by me). He meets war re-enactors, hard-core and farbs (you have to read the book to find out what a farb is), curators of odd and tiny museums, a Scarlett O'Hara entrepreneur, historian Shelby Foote, and battlefield enthusiasts. He finds that the War still resonates with many who have deep roots in the South, but for some, especially the young, it has lost all meaning.
There is much pleasure to be had by going along with Tony Horwitz on his odd journey, but some serious soul-searching about history, race, and the future of the South will be called for.
Recommended for all interested in U.S. history.
As a scholar and (lifelong) student of American history and material culture, largely focused on the South, glad I finally read this...particularly interesting to see what has changed (and what has not) in the 22 years since its initial publication, and what still remains relevant to our times.
I learned a ton, was very impressed by the depth of his research, and enjoyed the sprinkling of humor.
Excellent words:
Fulsome — excessively flattering or insincerely earnest / copious or abundant
Redoubt — a small, often temporary defense fortification
Abrogate — to abolish, do away with, or annul
Ersatz — bring an unusually inferior imitation or substitute / fake or artificial
Hoary — gray or white as if with age / hackneyed / no longer funny or meaningful due to repetition / so old as to inspire veneration
Peripatetic — one who walks about from place to place
Excellent words:
Fulsome — excessively flattering or insincerely earnest / copious or abundant
Redoubt — a small, often temporary defense fortification
Abrogate — to abolish, do away with, or annul
Ersatz — bring an unusually inferior imitation or substitute / fake or artificial
Hoary — gray or white as if with age / hackneyed / no longer funny or meaningful due to repetition / so old as to inspire veneration
Peripatetic — one who walks about from place to place
This is the first book that I've read that has shed light on the discrimination against Southerners. It's as engaging as it is eye opening. In discussing the book with some friends from North and South Carolina, I stumbled across painfull adaptations and aculturation that have shadowed their lives among the "Yankees."