FEATURED BOOKS REVIEWED THIS ISSUE:

Lessons of War | Witness To An Era | The Black Flower | Grant: A Biography

Lessons of War: The Civil War In Children's Magazines
edited by James Marten

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

Hardcover - 150 pages / Published: Jan. 1999 / Publisher: Scholarly Resources / ISBN: 0842026541

Witness To An Era: The Life and Photographs of Alexander Gardner
by D. Mark Katz

Seldom does one get such a close-up glimpse at the true horrors and tragedies on the battlefields of the American Civil War, or to stare into the faces of those whose lives were entertwined with the making of America's history. But D. Mark Katz gives us that opportunity with Witness To An Era: The Life and Photographs of Alexander Gardner, published by Rutledge Hill Press. Though many of the images that have become instantly recognizable to students of history are often credited to the well known photographer, Matthew Brady, Witness To An Era sets the record straight with meticulously documented research, enabling future generations to appreciate Gardner's work. For the first time in print, Katz brings the reader not only the vast collection of Gardner's photographs, many of which he was able to reproduce directly from the original prints, but the intriguing story of Gardner himself and his eventful career during and after the Civil War.

As one of the most photographed of historical figures as President Abraham Lincoln was, none managed to capture the inner man as Gardner did. But with over 277 pages containing photos of people, places, illustrations and letters, it is difficult for one to say which is the most extraordinary in capturing a moment --a moment frozen in time for eternity, for those to gaze upon and ponder its significance in how we became to be today... from what was yesterday.

Booklist remarks, "This album of Gardner's work is nothing less than sensational," and Civil War Web agrees. No Civil War library would be complete without these magnificent photographs of America's most epic saga. ---Alethea Sayers

D. Mark Katz is an authority on and collector of Civil War photography whose articles have appeared in Civil War Times Illustrated and other magazines. He is the author of "Custer in Photographs" and was the editor and publisher of "Incidents of the War," a quarterly journal devoted to the Civil War. He resides just outside of Washington, D.C. He may be reached via his email at: d.mark@erols.com

Hardcover / Publisher: Rutledge Hill Press / ISBN: 1558537422

The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War
by Howard Bahr

This is a gripping story of a Rebel unit at the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee in November of 1864. The proud Army of Tennessee, led by maimed John Bell Hood, has met the Union forces in a brilliant and courageous but sacrificial assault. The Rebel army goes where ordered but suffers indescribably from Union artillery, entrenched defenders, and the weather.

It is the story of a small unit of Rebel soldiers and their bonds of comradeship. It is the story also of one soldier, Bushrod Carter, and of a young woman, Anna Hereford. It is not a love story; unless one understands how shared danger, the attrition of battle and disease, and the, to us, primitive medical care weaves a fabric of love, devotion, and mettle most incredible.

The setting is the historic Carnton Plantation in Franklin, TN. Bahr has maintained historical accuracy in the telling of this story, although his central characters are fictional. There is a haunting quality in this work that reminds one of Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage. Read this book, then reread it. You won't be disappointed; you will find timelessness and come away with an almost reverent appreciation of the men who become solders. ---Molly Nash

Binding: Trade / Pub Date: 04/1997 / Publisher: Nautical & Aviation Pub Co of Amer / ISBN: 187785350X

Grant: A Biography
by William S. McFeely

McFeely, a history professor at Mt. Holyoke College, has written a thorough narrative of the life of Ulysses S. Grant in which he portrays the man as flawed, ambitious and often inept. Where others have illustrated Grant as a silent, thoughtful and loyal soldier/politician, McFeely sees Grant as desperately requiring public attention and even adulation. Where others find Grant's greatest failings as President in his misguided choices for his official family and have almost revered Grant's devotion to his wife and children, McFeely sees a man starved for affection and handicapped by a wife with blatant expectations for enrichment she felt due the savior of the Union. Though the book, McFeely, who has rich details on Grant's presidency, keeps presenting grudging admiration for Grant.

McFeely credits Grant, in the end, as being a writer. Throughout the book, constant references are made to Grant's gift of writing cogent orders, descriptive letters, and for a prodigious memory. He had a panoramic memory of battles which never varied in the telling over his lifetime. The chapter dealing with the writing of his memoirs is moving and elevates Grant from the poor president to hero status.

McFeely offers this quote from William Tecumseh Sherman on Grant:

"Grant's whole character was a mystery even to himself -- a combination of strength and weakness not paralleled by any of whom I have read in Ancient or Modern History."

While other books may be more informative about Grant's military career, this book is essential in formulating how to evaluate Grant in the larger picture of his whole public life. We may never solve the mystery of Grant's character, but this book gave me a whole new perspective on how a grateful nation found in him true American heroism. ---MollyNash

Hardcover / Published: 1981 / Publisher: W.W.Norton & Co., London / ISBN: 0393013723

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