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Reading Room:  CIVIL WAR BOOK SUGGESTIONS NEEDED  |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
 Posted - May 17 2008 : 04:12:55 AM
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As some you know, my son Adam is going to school in Florida. (we live in Western NY State)
So, we have made(and will be making more!) trips up and down the East coast! My favorite part of the trip is the Shennendoa(sp?) Valley in NC/Virginia. It is just so beautiful. I do know that this part of the country was instrumental in the Civil War. I see signs everywhere for Civil War historical sights. I grew up in England and do not really know too much about the Civil War, other than what I have picked up over the years.
Do any of you have book suggestions for me? I don't do well with text-books but thought maybe even children's books to start? Of course the war impacted the whole country but I am looking for something more 'local'. NY,PA,VA
Thanks!
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
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MsCwick
True Blue Farmgirl
775 Posts
Cristine
Farmville
Virginia
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2008 : 08:33:16 AM
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I have read two civil war era books and both were kinda journal/diary books. Most of the reading was the story, but every few pages would be excerpts from her real diary.
That style of story is really neat!
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2008 : 1:55:41 PM
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Let me go through my lists... I know I can find lots of stuff. One that comes to the top of my head is called Mary's World by Richard Cote. It's set in Charleston (I know you won't be going through there, but still) and it chronicles the Pringle family through the "eyes" of the house (which is still there). I can name lots of books that the stories are set during the Civil War era.
I live in the foothills of Western North Carolina (Rutherford County), right between Asheville and Charlotte- there are lots of stories to be had.
I just picked up a brochure at our Chamber of Commerce that details the Civil War in both Carolinas. If you pm me your address, I'll send you one.
Even though you asked about the Civil War, you might want to consider reading about the American Revolution, which has an amazing history in this area. The Battle of Kings Mountain and the Battle at Cowpens were both within 30 miles of me, so I learned a lot about the Overmountain Victory Trail. The Overmountain men were citizen soldiers that got fed up with Patrick Ferguson (Brit) tearing up their land (in SC, especially) so more than 1500 men met in Abingdon, VA, marched across the mountains (no easy feat in October), down to the foothills, chased the entire British Army located in this area, and finally broke them down in Kings Mountain. Check out www.ovta.org for more information. Each year re-enactors leave Abingdon at the same time as the Overmountain men did, walk across the mountains (to the best of their knowledge of the trail) to Kings Mountain, where there is a battle re-enactment and other activities.
I can send you a prochure about the Overmountain Trail and the Revolutionary War as well.
Just let me know...
Kim in NC |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2008 : 1:57:42 PM
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| Oh- I forgot to add that I can send you a Blue Ridge area book, which also includes Virginia along the mountains. I love the mountain area more than any place around! |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2008 : 3:50:28 PM
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Ladies, thank-you! Yes, I like the idea of more 'personal' accounts too. I will remember to look in the travel section perhaps as well as the history section.
Kim, I will e-mail you and really appreciate the info.
Angie
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2008 : 11:03:31 PM
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Anything written by Shelby Foote. He wrote a lot on the Civil War and was featured in Ken Burns "Civil War" PBS mini-series.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
Edited by - kissmekate on May 17 2008 11:04:47 PM |
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quilt8305
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Mary
Spokane
WA
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2008 : 11:59:47 AM
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Stone Mountain
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein
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Terre
True Blue Farmgirl
97 Posts
Indiana
USA
97 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2008 : 6:09:27 PM
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Killer Angels by Michael Shara is a really good book for someone who wants to know the history of Gettysburg, but doesn't usually read this type of book. It does a really good job and is interesting in the lead players of both the North and South and the maneuvers they made up to Gettysburg. It helped me alot when I went to Gettysburg.
Be true in heart. |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2008 : 7:14:04 PM
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we just moved to a house that is bordering a state park that is so because of a big civil war battle. I share your interest. I will be watching your thread carefully though I have nothing much to offer, but if you find yourself in North Georgia I would be happy to show you around Chickamauga Battlefield. :)
Not all those who wander are lost... |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 02:59:30 AM
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Many thanks ladies for the new suggestions. I am compiling a nice reading list here!
Hey Sarah, absolutely you have much to offer! You offered me a free guided tour! Sweet!
Coming from England my history is so different, the history here feels so 'fresh' and very relevant. Is that the right word I wonder.
Thanks girls,Angie.
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
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TabithaLenox
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Kim
Gettysburg
PA
USA
605 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 04:27:10 AM
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I live in Gettysburg,PA. It's where the final battle of the Civil War took place and where President Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. If you look it up online you'll find lots of info and resources.
Kim
Farmgirl #184
http://www.tabithalenox.blogspot.com |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 07:22:27 AM
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The Killer Angels is a great novel. Even though it's about the battle of Gettysburg specifically, it starts out with an introduction to the cast of characters that gives you a sense of the whole war. If you want some straight up history that doesn't read like a textbook, I would suggest Bruce Catton as well. He has many books. I just read "This Hallowed Ground" earlier this spring. He takes more of a storytelling approach than some historians.
If you are interested in what the Civil War meant to American culture and how people still think about it today, there's a book called "Confederates in the Attic" by Tony Horwitz. He's a journalist, and he made a project of visiting Civil War sites and interviewing people all over the country, including Klan members and re-enactors. It's a hilarious book, but he gives a lot of factual info about the places he visits and he deals with the serious issues in a way that really tells you something.
If you are going to be passing through Virginia and North Carolina, just visiting the battlefield parks will tell you a lot. Many of the parks have a great deal of signage and tour guides to explain what happened. Your reading will supplement your experience, but there's no substitute for actually being there. I've been to Gettysburg, Antietam and Harper's Ferry. |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 2:04:37 PM
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I second "Confederates in the Attic." Great book.
I've got that stuff to mail you- I just have to make it to the PO... sorry!
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 4:11:42 PM
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Hey, no problem Kim, don't make a special trip.
Thanks for thinking of me! :)
Angie.
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 7:07:43 PM
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| Angie, do you like to have books of your own that you can beat on a little? Or do you prefer to check them out of the library so they don't take up room in your house when you're done with them? I've got 3 spare Civil War books I could send you if you'd like them: an old paperback copy of a Bruce Catton book, Mary Chestnut's diary, and a book called Travels to Hallowed Ground, which is about several of the battlefield sites. |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 02:58:53 AM
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Amie, I am really sort of 'odd' when it comes to borrowing anything! The pressure of having to keep it safe and get it back on time makes me a little crazy... so, I would love the books if you are all done with them. That's awesome! I will of course be glad to pay for them and for postage. And, I am past the point of no return on the 'taking up space' issue. my 'craft room' is chock full. (and I like it!) 
I will send you an e-mail with my particulars (what an old fashioned word)
Have a great day and enjoy the cooling temperatures today.
Angie.
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
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lizbeth
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Beth
NC
7 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2008 : 6:35:01 PM
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Angie,
Being from the South with ancestors in the War Between the States, this is one of my favorite subjects to read about. I don't really like to read about war strategy or specific battles, but I love reading about women's experiences during the war. One of my favorites is A Woman's Civil War by Cornelia Peake McDonald who lived in Winchester, Virginia. Some other favorites are Sarah Morgan, Mary Chestnut's Civil War, and Heroines of Dixie. Also anything about General Robert E. Lee and his family. If you are interested in his wife Mary Custis Lee, be sure to read Mrs. Robert E. Lee, The Lady of Arlington by John Perry. I really liked this book as I believe in some other books she gets a bad rap.
Blessings,
Beth
Wear the old coat and buy the new book.
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2008 : 7:52:46 PM
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I concur and think Mary Chestnut's story is very interesting. I read about a million years ago.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2008 : 03:03:13 AM
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Yes, I am not only interested in the 'historical' side but particularly from the women's side too. Thanks for your input. I can see that I am going to be doing a lot of reading!
Thanks Ladies.
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2 |
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Reading Room: CIVIL WAR BOOK SUGGESTIONS NEEDED |
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CIVIL WAR BOOK SUGGESTIONS NEEDED
