The American Civil War discussion

Members of the group will be reading S.C. Gwynne's new book on 'Stonewall' Jackson; Rebel Yell starting November 1st 2014, please join in if you can.

by S.C. Gwynne

If the library can get a copy, I will.

I hope so Happy, let us know how you go.

Wilco

I was in the local Barnes and Nobel tonight and was thumbing through it - it looks really good. I went straight to the Library and asked them to order it!

Great!!

Dang, all 5 library copies have holds on them and some aren't even here yet.

Halloween gift?

Lia wrote: "Halloween gift?"

I like it! My wife just walked into the "library" and said: "Not one more book!" Of course, we have our ways to disguise new acquisitions...

Oh I hear it all the time. Just buy her shoes or perfume!! eBay?

More than 10 left, a good price..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311135450476%20

Amazon too, plus used..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1451673...

$4 cheaper on eBay unless you get a used one on Amazon.

Gwynne's talk about the book I saw on C-SPAN 2 on the 19th is airing again this Saturday the 25th at 8 am. Was great.

http://www.booktv.org/Watch/16120/Reb...

I got it at Barnes & Noble for 30% off the other week.

Score!!

Looks like we might get a few reading and discussing this book.

I have requested a copy from the local library. I'm 7th on the list of 3 copies.

Got my library copy and am ready to read!

So excited!! I met Stephen Lang and he signed my movies. Later I heard him tell his handler he was going to "hit the John"!! We saw each other and cracked up. Nice man. Gorgeous eyes. Gods and Generals was a bit sappy. I liked him as Pickett better. Anyway, I liked him as Stonewall too but always focused on Lee and Longstreet so I can't wait!

I mentioned this group read to a Civil War discussion group. I hope a few members of that group will visit. I'll try to sample some of the book...it's on the way from the library....along with 1/2 dozen others....yikes!

Sounds like we will have a few to discuss the book, should be a lot of fun I hope :)

Lia wrote: "So excited!! I met Stephen Lang and he signed my movies."

Wow - how neat that you got to meet Mr. Lang. I'd love to have him sign my Gods and Generals movie case. I thought he did an amazing and fairly accurate portrayal of Jackson. And it always amuses me how well he plays an entirely different character in Gettysburg. The first time I watched Gettysburg I was distracted in the opening credits and didn't realize who was portraying Pickett! But the horse riding style was the same and that was my first clue, then the blue eyes...LOL.

Great spotting! Do you ride horses?

Lia wrote: "Great spotting! Do you ride horses?"

I did ride horses when I was younger, then life and work took other directions. I enjoy studying CW cavalry now and being around the friendly horses at living history events.

With what seems quite a few of us going to be reading this book and most likely a few of us will be reading at a different pace may I suggest that if folks wish to quote sections from the book or comment on something within the book that we use the spoiler function [see: (some html is ok) for details/instructions]. This way we won't spoil the reading of others involved.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "With what seems quite a few of us going to be reading this book and most likely a few of us will be reading at a different pace may I suggest that if folks wish to quote sections from the book or c..."

Sounds good.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "With what seems quite a few of us going to be reading this book and most likely a few of us will be reading at a different pace may I suggest that if folks wish to quote sections from the book or c..."

How can history have spoilers? Don't we already know the outcome? :-)

That's true Manray9 :)

I sure don't know all the history!! Otherwise it'd be my book, lol!

So who have we got that are going to be reading this book in November, I'm in of course :)

The library doesn't have it yet - it's not even in the system, so I guess I'll to miss this month's read :(

I will read it as soon as it comes in though

Keep us posted Happy, the thread will remain open so you can join in at anytime.

Will do

Mike wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "How can history have spoilers? Don't we already know the outcome? :-)"

Actually, Manray9, if you watch the "10 things you don't know about ..." series on the history channel, the a..."

Are you saying: we don't know what happened? That some readers don't know what happened? What happened is open to interpretation? This could go on and on and on... ;-)

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "So who have we got that are going to be reading this book in November, I'm in of course :)"

I'm reading with the group!

Hmm...yeah I see what ya'll mean about spoilers... Couldn't we just make the first thing on our chapter comment post the chapter number and anyone not wanting to see what's ahead could just ignore that comment until they get there?

Your thoughts, folks?

*Spoiler Warning* This is a history text we're reading - Jackson will not survive the war...but you knew that right? ;) Just a lame joke to keep the conversation friendly here...

Sarah wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "So who have we got that are going to be reading this book in November, I'm in of course :)"

I'm reading with the group!

Hmm...yeah I see what ya'll mean about spoilers... C..."

I feel confident Jackson will not survive the war and the Confederacy will lose -- but I haven't read the book yet. ;-)

I'm happy for folks to use whatever method they like in regards to spoiler alerts.

Yes Sarah, I was thinking the same thing that we should read by a few chapters at a time.

Aussie Rick is right. We'll all be on different schedules and paces with the book, perhaps use of the spoiler feature is best?

Manray9 wrote: "Sarah wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "So who have we got that are going to be reading this book in November, I'm in of course :)"

I'm reading with the group!

Hmm...yeah I see what ya'll mean about..."
:)_

Don't fret too much about it, is all about fun, if you don't want to use spoilers then use the suggestion made by Sarah of indicating which section of the book you wish to refer to when you are posting your comments.

It's all about fun and enjoyment and only a few days to go till we start :)

We have to set up a parameter for discussions, even if someone has read further.

Think I will join in as well.

Steve

Lia wrote: "We have to set up a parameter for discussions, even if someone has read further."

I'm open to suggestions... :)

Stevelee wrote: "Think I will join in as well.

Steve"

Good to hear Steve, more the merrier :)

Well its November 1st over here in Australia and I am just going to grab my copy of the book and see if I can read a few pages before morning tea. I am looking forward to chatting with the rest of the group also involved in this group read, it should be a lot of fun :)

For those who are thinking of reading Rebel Yell here are a few reviews of the book that may spark some interest:

http://online.wsj.com/articles/book-r...

http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainme...

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/...

Good to hear Paul. I have read his book; Empire of the Summer Moon and really enjoyed it. I have just started Rebel Yell and so far its been pretty good. If these are the only two books he has written then I am very impressed!

I am enjoying the book so far, its been very easy to read and I need to make sure I slow down once in a while. I really liked this account of the unflappable 'Stonewall' Jackson on page 50:

(view spoiler)["A shot from a Federal battery struck centrally, ten feet from the ground, a large white oak that stood in the fence corner close to Jackson and knocked a mass of bark, splinters and trash all over him and the papers on which he was writing. He brushed it all away with the back of his hand, finished the dispatch without a sign that he knew anything unusual was going on, folded it, handed it to the courier and dismissed him courteously: 'Carry this to General Johnston with my compliments, and see that you lose no time on the way'." (hide spoiler)]

What do people think of the actions or lack of actions as highlighted by the author on pages 61-64 concerning the Union commander in the Shenandoah Valley, Major General Robert Patterson.

Could he in fact have changed the course of the war at that early stage if he had indeed acted more aggressively?