Choose between the two titles I have listed on the American Civil War, Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War or This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War.
Assignment Brief
In this assignment, you have to write a book review that deals with 2 topics that are American Civil War, Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War and This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War. Moreover, you have to adhere to the given guidelines which incorporate the rules and regulations of a perfect book review.
Instructions
For your second review you will choose between the two titles I have listed on the American Civil War, Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War or This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War. Your book reviews should be 2-3 full pages in length. Anything shorter and points will be deducted. Your review should be in Times New Roman, double spaced, and in 12 pt. font. Use in text citations when referencing materials or quoting from the book. Use a citation style that you are comfortable with.
Your review should be comprised of three parts. The first 2/3 should be a summary of the book and its major points. In this section you would include the author`s main arguments and thesis, what sources were used, etc. The last third of your review should be an analysis of the books contributions to the field and subject matter as well as a critique of the book in general. In other words what did the book do well? Did the author leave anything out? Do you agree or disagree with their argument?
In this review, however, you will also find and synthesize one other review into your analysis. You can access reviews of this book on JSTOR through UIdaho library. You must include the reviewers name. How the reviewer felt about the book? Did they agree with the author`s argument? Do you agree with the reviewer?
If you are not familiar with book reviews, check out this link. It is a helpful list to remember when writing a review by the University of Iowa`s History Department.
Sample Answer
Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horwitz
Summary of the Book
Tony Horwitz’s Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War combines memoir, journalism, and historical reflection to explore how the American Civil War continues to shape Southern identity. Horwitz travels through the modern South, from reenactments in Virginia and Alabama to living in Civil War-era homes in Mississippi, examining why Confederate memory endures among ordinary people.
The central thesis is that the Civil War, officially over for 150 years, still lives vividly in American culture. Horwitz argues that Southerners cling to their Confederate heritage not purely out of racism, but also from a sense of tradition and pride. He portrays Civil War reenactors who meticulously study battle tactics and uniforms, and descendants who preserve old letters and memorabilia wishing to keep their ancestors’ memory alive.
Horwitz`s evidence is drawn from interviews with historians, living descendants, museum curators, and veteran reenactors. He also reviews printed primary sources like letters and newspapers, and cites scholarly works in Civil War history to provide context and background. The book is peppered with vivid anecdotes, such as his experience serving as an honorary Confederate colonel for a day, that bring these findings to life.
Analysis and Critique (Last Third of Review)
Strengths
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Engaging Style
Horwitz’s writing is both informative and entertaining. His self-deprecating humour, such as when he is asked to draw his sword during a ceremonial parade, draws readers into the narrative while still advancing historical insight.
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Unique Perspective
Rather than focus on generals and battles, Horwitz explores the social afterlife of the Civil War, how it is remembered, romanticised, and sometimes misrepresented in the Southern imagination.
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Balanced Reporting
Horwitz avoids simplistic good-versus-evil characterisations. He interviews a range of people, from Klan sympathisers to civil rights activists, creating a layered understanding of why Confederate symbols persist.
Weaknesses
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Limited Scope
The book centres heavily on the white Southern perspective and offers only brief glimpses of African American voices and attitudes. A deeper exploration of how African Americans view and interpret Confederate memory would have added further complexity and balance.
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Casual Tone
While much of the writing is delightful, some critics argue the tone can undermine the gravity of issues like racism and historical violence (Smith, 2010). At times, the humour may distract from the serious implications of glorifying the Confederacy.
Integration of Scholarly Review
In her review for the Journal of American History, Ellen F. Davis (2001) praises Horwitz’s storytelling but criticises the book’s failure to engage fully with the lingering impact of Confederate memory on African Americans. Davis notes that while Confederates in the Attic is "a valuable contribution to popular history," Horwitz does not give due attention to how Confederate symbols are experienced by Black communities.
I agree with Davis’s analysis. Horwitz compellingly captures why white Southerners preserve Confederate heritage, but his cursory treatment of African American perspectives leaves a significant gap. The presence of Confederate flags at community events continues to cause pain and raise questions about race and national identity, which I feel deserve more thorough consideration.
Continued...
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