Category: Book (non-fiction)  |  Rating :

eReview: Lessons of War: The Civil War In Children's Magazines

by James Marten, editor Hardcover - 150 pages / Published: Jan. 1999 / Publisher: Scholarly Resources / ISBN: 0842026541

Review by Alethea Sayers

Lessons of War: The Civil War in Children's Magazines covers a subject seldom mentioned in books on the Civil War -- the children. Through a combination of the author's narratives and excerpts from the reading material written for children during the four turbulent years of the Civil War, the reader gets a rare insight into how the war shaped and changed their lives. Unlike the generations before or since, the children growing up with battles literally being fought in their backyards had to adjust to a world with an uncertain future.

But Lessons of War, despite what the title might imply, is not a book strictly for the younger student of the Civil War. Marten's writing talent and selection of period writings makes this a book that will entertain and educate any Civil War enthusiast.

From articles on Union boys standing up to Confederate soldiers, to children contributing to the war effort by raising funds in their play activities, Lessons of War demonstrates the depth of their involvement in war and in politics, and how these lessons affected the generation that would deal with post-war years.

Civil War Web recommends this book highly to readers of all ages and applauds the editor, James Marten for his valuable contribution to furthering the education of The American Civil War. ---Alethea Sayers