American Homer Reflections On Shelby Foote And His Classic The Civil War: A Narrative

by Jon Meacham

A selection of these letters, along with essays by Jon Meacham, Michael Beschloss, Ken Burns, Annette Gordon-Reed, Michael Eric Dyson, Julia Reed, Robert Loomis, Donald Graham, John M. McCardell, Jr., and Jay Tolson, are included in American Homer, the bonus paperback book available only in the Modern Library boxed set of The Civil War.

Genres: History, Civil War, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Jon Ellis Meacham is an American writer, reviewer, historian and presidential biographer who is serving as the Canon Historian of the Washington National Cathedral since November 7, 2021. A former executive editor and executive vice president at Random House, he is a contributing writer to The New York Times Book Review, a contributing editor to Time magazine, and a former editor-in-chief of Newsweek. He is the author of several books. He won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography for American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. He holds the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Endowed Chair in American Presidency at Vanderbilt University.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short collection of thoughts and essays on Shelby Foote and his narrative of the Civil War. I think it does a nice job of showing the reader a "behind the scenes" look at Foote both on a personal level and as a writer. I like how it also allows for criticism of his Souther perspective and at times stereotypical views dealing with race. I very much look forward to continuing the main works of Foote's narrative.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

...a nice little extra to accompany my edition of Shelby Foote's great narrative. The essays are interesting, and the excerpts from the correspondence of Shelby Foote and Walker Percy even better.

[Arkrayder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was interesting read. Nicely balanced between those for and against Shelby's Civil War trilogy.

[Anthony Gagliano Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading this collection of reflections on Shelby Foote's Three Volume Epic on the Civil War, you immediately get the sense that he captured lightning in a bottle with this 20 year research project. He states that he wanted everybody everywhere to read it so they can learn to love their country. This three volumes encompasses over 1.5 million words, but it should be required reading for every American. I can't even begin to tell you what you are in for, if you decide to take this journey and read these three volumes. It's articulate, interesting and historical all at the same time. You really get a sense of who the major players were in this conflict. With great depth, we learn about Jefferson Davis, President Lincoln, Generals Grant, Sherman, Forrest, Lee, Jackson and all the rest in such minute details, you will feel as if you are standing on the battlefields during this epic journey. I think everyone should take the time to read this, no matter how long it takes. It is a daunting investment of time I know, but it really is that important historically, is it that great in scope and it is that worthwhile to your understanding of where we have come from to get to where we are as a country. Even with all our flaws as a nation, people from all over the world are literally scratching and clawing still to this day to get here... amazing to think that isn't it? Our Nation has been called the last great hope of the world, and that really is saying something when considering the present state of affairs we find ourselves in 2022... Read these Three Volumes, they will change your life's perspective and understanding on this Civil War. They were created by Shelby Foote to "Belong to the Ages."

[Jon Jurgovan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of reflections about the great Shelby Foote whose Southern drawl and fantastic writings kept the Civil War alive and well in the imaginations of Americans, long after Appomattox.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book published alongside an edition of Foote’s three-volume “The Civil War” in celebration of the sesquicentennial of that war.

It covers how Foote came to write the book, his long friendship with Walker Percy, and his enormous fame after the Ken Burns PBS series. Also includes criticism from some historians and on his inability to write profoundly about the slave experience in the South.

Only for those who, like me, are kind of obsessed with the US Civil War and its ramification and meaning still today.