The Sequel of Appomattox

Chronicles of America #32

by Walter Lynwood Fleming

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: History, Civil War

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Walter Lynwood Fleming (1874–1932) was an American historian of the South and Reconstruction.

(wikipedia)

Reviews

[Miles Smith]

I've rated this book 4 stars, largely because Fleming wrote incredibly well, and the book is considered an important historiographic marker in the study of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Its an influential work, and the fact that it is referenced at all is a testament to its durability.

With that caveat, the book is nonetheless weighted heavily towards the South, and includes description of African Americans that our time designates, understandably, as racist or at least tainted by observable racial bias. The treatment of the Klan is mild, almost sympathetic, and Fleming glosses entirely over political violence that typified the experience of African Americans during the era. Some of Fleming's analysis deserves interaction, but historians obviously and rightly treat this source with caution. Fleming was in his own time a respected member of the Dunning School, which framed the debate over Reconstruction largely around perceived excesses.

Historians and young scholars should read Fleming, as much for what is says about late nineteen and early twentieth century historiography, than what it says about Reconstruction.

[Jason Sylvester]

Excellent generalized overview of the Reconstruction-era South, and the harsh, vindictive mis-rule of the Radical politicians who filled the power vacuum left by Lincoln's tragic death to impose an unjust and (often by their own private admissions) unconstitutional peace on the vanquished states.

Highly recommended.