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A review by samanthalenore
Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horwitz
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!