Confederates in the Attic

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Summary: A refreshing look at the war that lives on, in the south.
Review: This is a wonderful look at what really happenned in the Civil War, and how this war isn't really over, in a lot of areas of the South. Tony Horowitz, went on a Southern road trip, visited many historical sites, and the views of people who live there. It is amazing at how the southerners in these area's don't let go of this war that happenned 131 years ago.

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Summary: Dragged at the end.
Review: I first refused to read this book as I thought it would be filled with Southern bashing (which is ok to the left politically correct crowd), but it wasn't all that bad. I think there was way too much mentioning of race relations which had nothing to do with the Confederacy, so "Confederates in the Attic", is not quite a proper title. It started out with promise though and had some good moments, then dragged at the end with the racial moments. But I was shocked when Tony got into and arguement with the black teacher about race relations and I thought it made a good point after showing that her class was filled with demeaning remarks about other cultures. Still this had nothing to do with the war, and would have been better in a second book. I have been reading some of the following posts on here and the yankees keep saying "get over it". Sorry folks, it wasn't your farms that were destroyed and your families which lost everything. We shall NEVER get over it. And the more you people put us down, the stronger we become.

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Summary: A must read for those who never liked history!
Review: From cover to cover,it kept my attention.If you think you know all there is to know about the Civil War,this book relates it to present day.

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Summary: Making a living by South-bashing
Review: Unfortunately just another attempt by a Yankee-peddler to make a quick buck off the South and the national interest in the war. There is not an intellectually valid chapter in the book. Half way through, I knew I had been flim-flammed and wanted my money back. Don't make my mistake.

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Summary: A Compassionate Look at the South Today
Review: Tony Horwitz bursts the myth of the "solid South" as he goes from state to state exploring the memory of the Civil War. You meet all kinds in this book: devoted curators of history, dedicated civil servants, Shelby Foote, historical revisionists, historically faithful (if fanatic) reenactors, Civil Rights activists, childish racists, hobbyists, and a lot of just plain folk. The only ones who will be offended by Horwitz's work, I think, will be those insecure types who prefer mythology to the Truth. It is a book I recommend both people on both sides of the Civil War controversy. Horwitz obeys Melville's maxim: "Why then do you try to broaden your mind? Subtilize it." You walk away from this book appreciating some elements of Southern culture and wisdom like you never did before, while feeling concern for the purblindness of some of the present generation. It matches my years of experience living in the South.

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Summary: Don't read the reviews!!! Read the book!!!
Review: If you are really interseted in the Civil War, you need to read this book. Its show how the Civil War affects us even today. I read this book in record time. Couldn't put it down.

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Summary: Sparkling, sharp, and (really) even-handed
Review: I have to disagree with those who argue that this excellent book is biased against the South and Southerners. If this were true, Horwitz would have unequivocally slammed each and every Southerner he met on his travels. But it's clear he doesn't. If anything, he reserves his harshest judgements for the Southern landscape which he finds dotted with an excess of gas stations, strip malls, and fast-food franchises. He often presents his subjects with the complexity that they deserve. That aside, this is an excellent book, and I enjoyed every page. Horwitz's knack for finding the most telling details and using them to twist the knife just a little deeper is unreal. Highly recommended. I'm telling everyone I know to read it, especially those who live in the South!

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Summary: The Civil War as a way of life in twentieth century America!
Review: Horwitz takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the south and its obsession with the War Between the States. It is interesting, entertaining and informative. He documents meetings with all kinds of people; from renowned author Shelby Foote to truckdrivers to teachers to park rangers. All have a stake in maintaining or changing history. A must-read for anyone with an interest in the South, history or Americans in general.

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Summary: ENTERTAINING, FUNNY, INFORMATIVE,.. ALSO BIASED.. INSULTING
Review: As a Civil War Buff and reenactor, I, as well as most of my fellow reenactors, owe a debt of gratitude to Horowitz for plugging our hobby and preservation efforts. However, his personal anti-southern bias as expressed on page 157 seems to be the motive for him seeking out the weirdest, wackiest people he could find South of the Mason Dixon line and casting them as typical civil war buffs and "Neo Confederates" ( which by the way isn't very flattering as the only other "Neo" I've heard of is "Neo-Nazi"). Needless to say most of the negative reviews come from the South, and a lot of the glowing ones come from people whose preconcieved notions of guntoting yellow teeth racists rednecks where fullfulled by this book.

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Summary: I rate this book a TEN great book from beginning to end
Review: Mr horvitz takes the reader on a journey down south which is impossible to forget. His writing style is sprinkled with humor, and little details of people whose lives revolve around the civil war. the book is also a journey of self discovery for the author and maybe for those readers intrigued by the civil war. Dont hesitate to buy this book, you will not regret it.