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Around the World in Eighty Years: Confessions of a Connecticut Confederate
Around the World in Eighty Confessions of a Connecticut ConfederateFrom Connecticut, to New York, to Bermuda, to Texas, to Massachusetts, to Virginia, to Arizona, to Georgia (just to mention a few) and ultimately to Japan, where he currently makes his home, Jack Marquart has had a long and interesting life! " . . . there are the fortunate few who have been allowed the opportunity to not only travel the earth, but to experience and enjoy the many wonders it has to offer along the way,” writes Marquardt in this account of his extraordinary globe-trotting life. “To me the world has always appeared to be a gigantic stage on which the scenery is constantly changing, where there are always new casts of characters performing and upon which is enacted all manner of various dramas and comedies, as well as a few tragedies here and there.”
The author is quite right in suggesting that his 20th century American odyssey around the earth offers both entertainment and “a far different glimpse of the world.” Along the way we learn how this Yankee became a learned and eloquent defender of the Southern Confederacy.The skillful blending of memoir, social commentary, and history creates a lively and entertaining narrative which ultimately defies category.
The author is quite right in suggesting that his 20th century American odyssey around the earth offers both entertainment and “a far different glimpse of the world.” Along the way we learn how this Yankee became a learned and eloquent defender of the Southern Confederacy.The skillful blending of memoir, social commentary, and history creates a lively and entertaining narrative which ultimately defies category.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2020
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June 19, 2025
Jack Marquardt has led a fascinating life. I learned about him from reading his excellent articles for the Abbeville Institute, which aims to preserve the best of the Southern tradition. As a New Jerseyman with a love for the South and Japan, the Connecticut Confederate Marquardt’s defense of the South and experience among the Japanese make him feel like a kindred soul. I was surprised to learn that he also played a role in a classic anime dub I enjoyed: the villainous monk Tenkai in The Dagger of Kamui (1985).
His memoirs in places are similar to his articles at the Abbeville Institute, where he defends the Southern position in the War Between the States and talks about historical figures. I found the first half of this life, involved as it was with WWII, relatives who could tell stories about the 19th century, and the changing mores of the 60’s, the most interesting. His time spent in Japan and his travels around the globe were also fun to read, but they seemed to be more about business and politics and less about history.
His conversion to Judaism came as somewhat of a surprise. But, Marquardt shows himself very sympathetic towards those suffering unwarranted prejudice—whether they are German-Americans circa WWI or Southerners. His conversion makes sense in light of his mildly Christian upbringing and his sympathy for the plight of Jews under Hitler’s regime.
This is a very good book to read for those who want another perspective on the 20th century and little known American history. Marquardt has a fine style, and the pages turn quickly.
His memoirs in places are similar to his articles at the Abbeville Institute, where he defends the Southern position in the War Between the States and talks about historical figures. I found the first half of this life, involved as it was with WWII, relatives who could tell stories about the 19th century, and the changing mores of the 60’s, the most interesting. His time spent in Japan and his travels around the globe were also fun to read, but they seemed to be more about business and politics and less about history.
His conversion to Judaism came as somewhat of a surprise. But, Marquardt shows himself very sympathetic towards those suffering unwarranted prejudice—whether they are German-Americans circa WWI or Southerners. His conversion makes sense in light of his mildly Christian upbringing and his sympathy for the plight of Jews under Hitler’s regime.
This is a very good book to read for those who want another perspective on the 20th century and little known American history. Marquardt has a fine style, and the pages turn quickly.
Displaying 1 of 1 review