Unfurled No More Forever

by Michael L. Eads

Growing up in Seattle Washington, Mark was told from the nuns at Catholic school the Civil War was fought because of slavery. When Mark moved to Independence Missouri in the early 1970s, the teachers at public school told him the Civil War was fought to defend States’ rights. Mark has an epiphany after he realizes almost everything he has been told from adults about the Civil War is a lie.Unfurled No More Forever describes the Civil War in a unique way, from the perspective of an eleven-year-old boy. Someone who doesn’t understand the preconceived notions of grown-ups. Mark tells us his story with raw emotion and humility. He openly admits that there are more questions than answers in his quest to understand the Civil War, but he never runs away from the truth. Relive the Civil War through the eyes of a child who is being honest about his country and himself. From the death of slavery to the creation of a new nation our forefathers truly intended, Unfurled No More Forever is how America became one nation.

Genres: History, Civil War

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2013

About the author

Michael Louis Eads

Reviews

[Marc Brueggemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand that he is using sources that are from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. But my word is there a lot of Lee worship in here. There is so much Lost Cause argumentation that it makes my brain hurt. But at the same time, I'm glad that he understands what really caused this bloody war. This book didn't make my skin crawl, it doesn't make me cringe. His descriptions of his nightmares about the battles is very disturbing and very tragic, a war that occurred 162 years ago, traumatized this kid so much that he kept his dreams from his mother. This book is applicable today too with our national reckoning with our past on race and a divided nation. But, this not as good as Confederate's In The Attic and Robert E. Lee And Me, but this book is up there. It's just the Lee worship and Lost Cause argumentation is why it's a four star review for me. Not bad though.

[Brian Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way this kid looked at the whole civil war. I'd have to agree with his assertions but that's my personal opinion. It's even been well researched.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's crucial to remember the past, both the good and the bad, if we hope to become better people. This book, however, is one of the worst history-oriented books I have read. The facts are inaccurate, which undermines its value. Racism is real, and slavery is evil—there is no dispute with author on this point. But incorrect facts do not help people learn or grow. I was looking forward to this read but was ultimately let down. While there were some accurate elements, they were overshadowed by "junk history." I wanted honest history and did not find it here.

The story starts with Columbus, and the protagonist portrays him with extreme hostility, suggesting that Columbus arrived with the sole intent of killing everyone. Statements like "Christopher Columbus loved killing anyone..." reflect this biased narrative. The author fails to mention the human sacrifices occurring long before Columbus arrived. This omission is just the beginning of the book's numerous historical inaccuracies.

To the author, thank you for your desire to shed light on the wrongs of the past. Understanding what went wrong helps us avoid repeating those mistakes. Unfortunately, this book lacks the accurate history needed to draw honest conclusions. All groups throughout history have been capable of horrific acts as well as great good. We need honest history that neither covers up the bad nor hides the good, allowing us to grow and learn from the past.