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Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War Posters
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Rating:  -
As will be the case with all my reviews, I'm going to record my reaction to the book, not summarize it. If you want to know what the book is all about, read a few of the longer reviews (which, at the time of this writing, numbered about 250.) Or better yet, buy it; it'll only cost you $10.17. Plus shipping, of course - and sales tax, if you live in Washington State.
I approached this book with a full head of righteous indignation. I was ready to be pissed off. I expected a hatchet job. How could anything written about the South by a self-proclaimed liberal, ex-union organizer named Tony be anything other than another perfunctory slap - if maybe a comical slap - at all those redneck, racist , reactionary, drawling good ole boys down there at the bottom of the country - who, moreover, have the temerity to vote Republican? (Full disclosure: I am white, retired, live in Washington State, and voted for Reagan. Twice.) Boy was I wrong! (About the book - not about Reagan.) Maybe I'm too old or dumb to deal with subtle innuendo, but on a quick first reading this book was fun, informative in a non-threatening way - and fair. Sure, the author talked to some people I'm happy I've never met, but heck, there are plenty of those right here in the Pacific Northwest, and I run into them all the time. This book introduced me to some interesting, even fascinating, people - Rob Hodges (on the cover) was worth the price of admission all by himself. Some advice to the potential reader: if you're looking for sober, closely reasoned political or psychological enlightenment, buy some other book - this one, while serious in places, is mainly just good, honest fun. And some advice to the author: Tony - stay out of biker bars. We want you around to write more books.
Rating: -
Well, ever since my seven year sojourn in Frederiksburg, Va., I've been trying to understand the jaundiced eye with which so many people in the south view that war, and the north. I guess the best thing that Horwitz gave us was Shelby Foote's explanation: the war was fought in their front yards. (except for Gettysburg...and here and there in Indiana and Ohio and D.C.) Also, I think they love the glorious romantic sense of loss of it all.
I loved reading this book. Horwitz is a smart fun guy.
Rating:  -
A superb book. I'd have given it four and a half stars if possible. It doesn't merit five stars because of some repetitive sections. Laugh out loud funny in parts, ponderous (in a good way), well-researched, and eye-opening. This was a really fun book to read.
Rating: -
Gonzo journalism: Reporting done by a reporter who is deeply, subjectively involved in what s/he is reporting. Reviewers have called Horwitz condescending. I didn't find him so. I found him very emotionally involved with some of the people he met. But some of the people were just funny.
The subtitle of the book is "Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War." So Horwitz writes about people for whom the war has not ended. It is not an exhaustive sociological study of the contemporary south, and should not be judged as such.
I won't repeat all the observations that have already been made. I learned a lot from this book. For people who enjoyed the book, I want to recommend Albion's Seed by David Hackett Fischer. It covers four groups who came to America for "freedom" - Puritans, Quakers, Virginia royalists and "Scots-Irish".
The Quakers and Puritans wanted the "freedom" to micromanage each others lives in order to create a rigidly moralistic heaven on earth. The royalists and, especially, the Scots-Irish wanted the "freedom" to do anything they damn well wanted, including enslaving other people. It is easy to see how this "oil and water" mix lead to the civil war.
Rating: -
The only thing that can deter people from buying this book is the cover. The cover will lead someone to believe that the book is about dumb rednecks that can't let something go. Once the reader understands and finds out that person poising on the cover is one of the "hardcores", Robert Lee Hodge, you will understand what is all about. The books does pesent all views. Plus, the added fact that Tony Horwitz is jewish brings a different insight to this American subculure. If your a serious buff of the "War Between the States" or the "War for States Rights" then I do not reccomend this book. If your are from the south or any other part of the world then you should buy this book ASAP! Very entertaining.
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