Facts the Historians Leave Out: A Confederate Primer

by John S. Tilley

Subtitled "A Confederate Primer," this little book covers a wide range of subjects in short, succinct chapters on the true causes of the war, the historical and economic background behind Southern slavery, the usurpations and deceptions of Abraham Lincoln, State sovereignty and the right of secession, the sterling character of such Confederate leaders as Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, and much more.

Genres: History, Civil War, American History, Nonfiction, American Civil War, Politics

82 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1951

Reviews

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that the things mentioned in this "Confederate primer were things that American textbooks have ignored for decades. I think it's valuable to understand the viewpoints of the foes that we fight and have fought in our wars so we can take advantage of that insight in the next war. Unfortunately for the winning side, it humanizes the enemy a little bit. I've found it fascinating to access information from the viewpoint of the enemy, especially about how the other side ever got into the war, especially WW2. The other side always thinks they are right and that God is with them and that war is justified and that they can actually win. When they lose we simplify and dumd down the reasons they had. This book is an example of that. Not the best written and has some dubious and uncited facts/opinions, but it was interesting.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent little primer, but just that, a primer.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazingly short simple and concise about the war of northern aggression. It brings everything into simple terms and is really easy to understand. IT IS A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE.

[Abby · Rating 1 out of 5]

This primer, or pamphlet of sorts, is an interesting read. The first third to half reads very like propaganda stylistically, the likes of which I haven’t seen since reading the Nazi pamphlets and the Soviet. The second half apparently addresses more arguments that traditional schools history texts ignore, perhaps because I read source materials and real books for this information in my education nothing in this section was in any way a revelation in spite of the poor writing. I do appreciate the view into this issue from the perspective of the defeated, and it is eye opening insofar as showing that viewpoint no matter how erroneous.
Disclaimer: In no way am I disputing that Lincoln was NOT a savior or exclusively good, nor Davis the devil himself (though perhaps Sherman was of sorts?) by this review.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a small, short book one would want to include when reading about the Civil War using other resources. It provides different perspectives of various parts of the Civil War. It’s not necessarily a book that you read from cover to cover to follow one storyline. It is a book of multiple chapters on topics that you would want to include in readings or discussions of said topics. I definitely found this work worth while to read.

[Anna Stiglbauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Footnotes to support anecdotes would have established some degree of credibility.

[Blake Edward · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book at an estate sale because I wanted to understand the southern narrative around the American Civil War. The author of this book is disgusting and refuses to empathize with slaves and refuses to investigate the constitution.
The point of this book is to make excuses for the Confederate cause, and some of them are historically interesting, but all of them are inexcusable. Tilley makes the argument that southerners treated slaves better than laborers in England, argues that southern slave owners should have been given refund checks for their newly freed slaves, argues that the south really did want to abolish slavery but it would be ruin their economy(poor slave owners would have their economy ruined!), it also disgusts me that the book never consults a slave or former slave on whether they enjoyed their treatment or did not, it only makes appeals to slave owners and fellow white men, and often makes faulty appeals to Lincoln and to the Constitution.
One of the stranger beliefs in a person who is a confederate sympathizer is that somehow Lincoln was both a hero and a tyrant at the same time. Many rightwing Republican party members will hail Lincoln as an exceedingly moral figure, but also believe that the Southern cause is justified, beliefs that would be in clear conflict. How can your opponent also be on your side? This is something that the author also feels as apparently every action that Lincoln did to hurt the south was actually the idea of one of his cabinet members or was done by a more fanatic northerner. I don't understand how this can be squared away in the minds of Confederate sympathizers on the Republican side of things, maybe it is because Lincoln has an R by his name, and people believe he was a great president, that he must have shared their mind on this issue, even if he really wasn't.
I want to explain one more thing about this book which is its commentary on the constitution. The book references the constitution many times and never quotes it. For example, to give its ideas on why secession works with the constitution, simply affirms that states that joined Union felt that they could leave unjust government by force of will because it was done during the American Revolution, but that explanation has no constitutional basis. The constitution has no mention of secession and decisions of that magnitude would involve government action, but none of these plans are given in the book, it is only assumed that 'wanting to leave' is enough to secede.
The book also gives lots of Lincoln quotes, as if they can explain or justify the issue. For example, whether the Civil War was about slavery or not, Tilly gives the explanation that "Lincoln did not say so in the beginning of the war", and obviously nothing can change in a war based on its beginning.
There is much more fallacious and evil justification in the book, but it is an interesting read to get into the history of Confederate sympathy. I regret to see this book slavery justifying propaganda attain four stars on Goodreads.

[Alex Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only issue with the book is the fact it’s a primer. Because of this, it doesn’t have the time or space to lay out the deeper groundwork’s and build the arguments and stories that lead to why the south wanted to secede.

I would like to see a book that expands on the truth, that uses letters and speeches, events and newspapers, to show what really happened and why.

I would like some history proof of some claims. And this book had one or two small errors in grammar, but nothing that slowed me down.

[Poppop · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole truth !

Everyone should read this book , with an open
Mind ! It was a different time and a very different way of life. The Constitution still fairly new and untried , some politicians used it to suit their own purposes and ideas ,it's hard to believe some of our greatest men in government would let themselves be used to such a horrible end .But , it is for sure they did ,written history has proven it to be so .Some were not the men they were made out to be .

[Janet Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Facts

This book tells the true facts of the Civil War as I heard it from my grandparents. The truth as told in this book will be lost in the not too distant future but as long as I am alive I don't intend to let northerners tell their lies about the real truth of the war between the states.

[William Sariego · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much as I would love to give this little book a '5' to annoy SJW's, that would be poor reviewing. It is a laundry list of 'Lost Cause' issues for the Confederacy. Tilley scores some good points but the booklet is somewhat disjointed and rambling. If you are interested in the political aspect of the war and its aftermath, it may interest you. Otherwise give this one a miss.

[Jay Armstrong · Rating 1 out of 5]

Holy hell. This is written on a level that bums me out to not have bought my copy new so I could have enjoyed the crayons that came with it. This is the sort of book you get for free when attending a Billy Graham booth at an Alabama gun show.

The length reflects just how in depth you can get when trying to spin theories so shallow. I give it 1 out of 5 "it's heritage not hate" bumper stickers.

[Nathan Hoyt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this a few years ago and only now got to read it. I can't remember why I bought it. I am not "the Union was blameless and the confederacy was all evil", but after the studies I have done any book pushing the 'Lost Cause' is one I can't take seriously. Having said that, I did learn some of the issues of the North's underhanded efforts. But come on, it was about slavery first!

[Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main issue I have with this book is that is lacks a bibliography or refers to sources to support the things stated. However, if you look up the info on your own you will find that theses claims are indeed true. A good book for a reader on-the-go, but the lack of references is a flaw for historical nonfiction.

[Andrea M. Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

Amazing when the truth is told. Mirror image of what is happening in 2021. The book reinforces the hate that is wrought when the constitution is burned in the fireplace .

[ed davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Love this book. It is awesome, filled with solid facts of our history. I am going to look for a hard copy.

[Dana Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

makes you think

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overview

A very fast read. The book takes basic logical questions to conclusion. Good presentation of historical fact. Inexpensive and worth a read.

[KRM · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lost Cause nonsense; go read Apostles of Disunion by Dew if you want a primer on the war’s causes.

[Ben Sibley]

This booklet makes good points, but loses any applicability because it cites zero sources.

[Danielle Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are always two sides to every story and forever we have been manipulated into only believing the side "they" want us to believe. This was a great primer to start you on the journey.

[Douglas Boren · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say that history is recorded by the victors. This is probably nowhere more true than in the truth of the events surrounding the war between the states. This book serves to give a glimpse at this sad phenomenon, exposing some of the most tragic facts that have been covered up, and swept away quite successfully by the entire education system for over 150 years.

Critics of this book will undoubtedly label it "Southern revisionism", or "there they go again, wanting to re-fight the war". These closed minds will never see the light of truth. As the Bible says, "there are none so blind as those who will not see". This was written by an esteemed scholar of the time...someone whose family actually lived through these events. His research, though not annotated in the book, is easily supported to those who wish to.

This is by no means exhaustive. Rather, it serves as a springboard for deeper investigation. This book strives to give an open minded seeker of truth straight answers to three basic questions. Was slavery the cause of the war? Was Lincoln a Great Emancipator? And did the states have the right to secede?

I agree with the author's conviction that without true knowledge of these issues, there can be no amicable settlement of problems that distress the nation even today.

[Noel Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical brief.

Five stars for brevity and references. Able to read further following the citations as sources. Very little hyperbole. Seems to be simply presenting historical evidence rather than presenting an editorial. Great read for those seeking to understand the circumstances surrounding the war.

[eliezer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgotten History's required reading.

I was sure as I was growing up that history as far as the civil war was concerned was one sided. I just knew there was more to it. Glad I found this book. Recommend this book for anyone looking for answers to today's problems. Once you distort history, lying to the public soon follows.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the perspective this author offered, however references and sources were desperately needed. I believe this book serves as a good starting point for those who wish to further research the Civil War and both sides of it.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lives up to the name.

Just like the title says there's a lot they aren't teaching about the South in schools and history books. Seems to me there's a lot conveniently left out so we all see the war as over slavery when it really wasn't.

[Lisa Burger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating view on why we fought the Civil War

Mr Tilly wrote an interesting book about why we fought the Civil War. It gave some interesting insight into Mr Lincoln's thoughts and actions. Most of this I didn't know. It also quoted letters from Lincoln and others.

[J Hunter Crute · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another example of why understanding our history is so important

ignorance of our true history is something everyone should to correct. Mr. Tilley provides a great start and informative read.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facts are Fascinating

Excellent book written in a concise and easy to understand style. Anyone who questions the legality of secession, treason by the South and its leaders, or the integrity of the North and its leaders owe it to themselves to read and study this book.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative.