Confederates in the Attic

Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!
Review: "Confederates..." was the best book I've read on the Civil War. It was told unbiasly, which is an almost impossible task. Touching and funny, it gives a view of the War not often heard. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: This book is funny and informative.
Review: Having been a resident of Fredericksburg, Virginia for five years deep in the heart of Virginia Civil War Country, I can relate to this book. Horwitz truly, accurately, and intelligently looks at the people and the issues surrounding the Civil War and its memory and lasting impact. Its easy to read, enjoyable, and at the same time engaging.

Rating:
Summary: Overall, definately worth your time
Review: This book shows how the Civil War touches people (sometimes to extremes) today over 130 years after the war was over. Mr. Horowitz brings out some funny incidents and many unbelievable ones (a CIVIL WARGASM?!) but his book suffers from his willingness to overlook the reason why many southerners love their heritage. He seems to think that all of them do it because of racism or that they're misguided. It never seems to occur to him that MAYBE it's because of the immense sacrifice made by their ancestors. The Confederacy made ships from almost nothing, lots of gunpowder from urine, and its near-starving soldiers went to fight in rags for a good portion of the war. It's doubtful that anyone today in America would endure so much and it's quite doubtful that "Johnny Reb" did just so some TINY segment of their society could hold slaves. Mr. Horowitz would do well to open his mind to that.

Rating:
Summary: Sure there's a bias, but well worth the read!
Review: After reading many of the customer reviews already posted, I had to admit that I agreed with many of the statements supporting Horwitz' book, as well as a few of the critiques. I think this says a lot about the power of the book--Horwitz asks us to look closely at topics that aren't always comfortable (the chapter about Michael Westerman is a good case in point) and certainly are rarely discussed without passion and emotion. However you feel about Horwitz' politics, I think Confederates in the Attics is definitely worth the read, and if it makes you uncomfortable, sad or even angry (as well as making you laugh), then I think he's done a pretty good job!

Rating:
Summary: Shallow, unbelievable, smug
Review: The American Civil War was staged for fathers to connect with their sons, and to have people to look down upon and make up stories about? That, and of course...racism. Horowitz embellishes his encounters and reports with a >wink, wink< of perfect complicity the overdone characterizations and and self-serving displays (yes, I know the Southern Guard and Rob H.) At least at the very end, he exposes plainly his biases, and nearly admits that his prejudices overweigh any honest evaluation and understanding of the American South (past or present), but this doesn't wash away the one-eyed-view of the previous chapters. Although I have never lived south of the Mason-Dixon line, I can't help but take the poor reporting personally; to anyone who wishes to truly understand things, Horowitz is offensive. I wish I'd not wasted the money.

Rating:
Summary: A Politically Correct Work by a Proffessional Writer
Review: This book well written by a proffessional skilled author; however the politics, conclusions, and methods are flawed. I am a reenactor who portrays the south but I live in the north. The confederate battle flag represents standing up in the face of overwhelming odds. Many groups have taken it as their standard. Tony Horowitz has mistaken these groups for representing confederates. In one chapter he defends a back youth who shot and killed a white teenager for displaying the stars and bars. He seems to sympathize with the black as if the murder was somehow justified. The real conflict in this chapter seems to be an urban gang juvenile transplanted into a rural southern community. The author also talks to random African-Americans for opinions on different aspects of the war as if their being black makes them authorities on the Civil War. The reenacting chapters were excellent. They portray the hobby as it is with groups having different degrees of authenticity and 'farb'. The book took a turn for the better with the interview of Shelby Foote. He is an authority on the war. Read the book but skip the preaching.

Rating:
Summary: An oasis for the geographically, culturally schizophrenic
Review: What percentage of the U.S. population do you suppose lives on either side of the Mason-Dixon line? No wonder so many of us continue to be affected by a 130-year-old event. Celtic-blooded, Tennessee-born, Indiana-reared and now living in Kentucky, I couldn't resist picking up Horwitz's book. I knew when I saw Jonathan Raban's plug on the book jacket (Raban's "Bad Land: An American Romance" will move you as much as "Confederates" will, so check it out next) -- and I was not disappointed. I do not recall the last time I was so affected by a book. Raised as much on buttermilk and moon pies as on watching the Indianapolis 500, I've always been torn by rights to display the Confederate flag, whether honoring Lee and Davis is insensitive or preserving, whether turning my back on my Southern heritage would somehow make me homogenized and all-American, or whether hanging on to it would present me as haughty, superior in the social graces, and culturally distinctive. Horwitz's ability to gain the trust of people who are often distrustful is nothing short of amazing. His ability to report with depth, insight and impartiality is something I, as a writer, can only hope to match. I have met those like the ones Horwitz has interviewed. He has treated a delicate subject memorably and admirably. This book is nothing short of wonderful. Best of all, it has allowed me to lay to rest the questions of whether I'm a Southerner or a Northerner. It doesn't matter. I know what can and should be kept from both sides of my heritage. I !finally! feel the privilege of having "schizophrenic" roots, both geographically and culturally.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for both Yanks and Rebs, Americans & foreigners
Review: This somewhat surreal account of Tony Horwitz' head-first dive into our country's obsession with the "War of Northern Aggression" reveals a subculture within our nation that mystifies and at times down right scares me. It is a good scare though. Mr. Horwitz has the same fascination with this period in our history as I do and I was consistently enlightened with each new character and experience he described so jocundly. His tour with Robert Lee Hodge on the "Civil Wargasm" was a sort of bittersweet expose on how in so many ways we have all but discounted the conflict (gas stations built on battlefields) and have also gone to extremes in remembrance of those fallen "martyrs" (i.e., the numerous Confederate ceremonies for soldiers and leaders). Overall, this book is so well-written and vivid that regardless of your background you find yourself reading ahead just to get a glimpse of the next crossroads and encounter. I read on one person's review to "not let the title and cover fool you" and they are absolutely correct--this is a true story that goes far beyond the public's fascination with a period of American history. Horwitz delves into just a fraction of the real issues that are a part of what keeps the war going for so many Americans, be they from Andersonville or Altoona.

Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: I found the book an easy read with many interesting, and at times funny, stories. However, much of what I read was unbelievable, as in made-up, pulled from thin air, myths, musings, etc. As a Southerner who has traveled extensively throughout the south as an avid CW buff I have found no creedence to many of the encounters that the author supposedly had. It would also have been more enlightening if the author had stated his biases and opinions up front instead of having to dig them out of the text. I would not recommend this book to anyone and will not be reading anymore of the author's fiction in the future.

Rating:
Summary: a definite must-read
Review: Do not be put off by the title or subtitle -- you do NOT have to be a Civil War buff or even an American History buff to read and enjoy this book. All you need is a basic understanding of the Civil War, and an interest in people and what makes us the way we are. I read about 5 books a month; this is the best I've read this year. With insight - historical, sociological, political - humour and an infinitely readable writing style, Tony Horwitz has produced a truly one of a kind work. Anyone even remotely interested in the way America is today should thoughtfully consider what he has to say.