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The Poetry of the American Civil War
Deeply affecting and diverse in perspective, The Poetry of the American Civil War is the first comprehensive volume to focus entirely on poetry written and published during the Civil War. Of the nearly one thousand books of poetry published in the 1860s, some two hundred addressed the war in some way, and these collectively present a textured portrait of life during the conflict. The poets represented here hail from the North and the South, and at times mirror each other uncannily. Among them are housewives, doctors, preachers, bankers, journalists, and teachers. Their verse reflects the day-to-day reality of war, death, and destruction, and it contemplates questions of faith, slavery, society, patriotism, and politics. This is an essential volume for poetry lovers, historians, and Civil War enthusiasts alike.
- GenresAmerican History
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 26, 2019
Name: Jakob Mills
Book title: “Poetry of the American Civil War”
Personal response:
I thought that this was a very good book. It was not always very cheerful though. Many of the poems have to deal with the horrors of the war and loved ones not coming home. I think that books and other publishings like this opened the public's eyes to the tragedies of war and that it was not always that great.
Summary:
Most of the book was the author describing each poem and expanding on it so that the reader had a better understanding of what was being described. Some poems that stood out from the rest were ones about the Battle of Shiloh, about a dead soldiers wife, and Abraham Lincoln. They were all very real in the way that they described something. None of the poems were very complex but got straight to the point. They are almost always described scenes in great detail and took stanzas to do this.
Characterization:
I think the book characterized the war. Each side started off optimistic of a swift end to it and a victory for their side. When the tides changed how the hatreds between each side grew. As the war dragged on for years it was clear that it became horrible and drudged on. Loneliness and despair took the place of the optimism of the early years of the war.
Recommendations:
I think that this book is a very mature book. It would be best for at least a high school aged student with a history background to read. This is definitely not a children’s poetry book and should be read by the appropriate audience only.
Book title: “Poetry of the American Civil War”
Personal response:
I thought that this was a very good book. It was not always very cheerful though. Many of the poems have to deal with the horrors of the war and loved ones not coming home. I think that books and other publishings like this opened the public's eyes to the tragedies of war and that it was not always that great.
Summary:
Most of the book was the author describing each poem and expanding on it so that the reader had a better understanding of what was being described. Some poems that stood out from the rest were ones about the Battle of Shiloh, about a dead soldiers wife, and Abraham Lincoln. They were all very real in the way that they described something. None of the poems were very complex but got straight to the point. They are almost always described scenes in great detail and took stanzas to do this.
Characterization:
I think the book characterized the war. Each side started off optimistic of a swift end to it and a victory for their side. When the tides changed how the hatreds between each side grew. As the war dragged on for years it was clear that it became horrible and drudged on. Loneliness and despair took the place of the optimism of the early years of the war.
Recommendations:
I think that this book is a very mature book. It would be best for at least a high school aged student with a history background to read. This is definitely not a children’s poetry book and should be read by the appropriate audience only.
Displaying 1 of 1 review