Kirkus Reviews,
starred review. Continuing from
their successful collaboration on Victory or Death! Stories of the
American Revolution (2003), Rappaport and Verniero bring the Civil
War down to size through the stories of seven actual people involved
in or affected by the war. Stories include Julia Ward Howe and the writing
of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"; Lee's surrender at Appomattox
Court House; Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address; naval commander David
Farragut; and the Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry, balancing perspectives
of North and South, men and women, black and white. Readers will feel
a part of the history writing process through the authors' comments
on how they went about their research; how they used diaries, letters,
newspaper articles and books; what details and dialogue were fictionalized
and why; and how they used first-person accounts where possible. The
bibliography is excellent and includes books and websites for young
readers. Maps are large and easy to read, and occasional illustrations
complement the text nicely. A terrific history for the intended audience.
(introduction, timelines, Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, Acknowledgments,
Index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)
Michael Chesson, professor of history, University of Massachusetts/Boston:"[The
authors] make old stories fresh and exciting ... . This book is a passionate
and moving account of the great American Civil War, the most terrible
conflict that our nation has ever endured, because we were fighting
against one another."
Continuing from
their successful collaboration on Victory or Death! Stories of the
American Revolution (2003), Rappaport and Verniero bring the Civil
War down to size through the stories of seven actual people involved
in or affected by the war. Stories include Julia Ward Howe and the writing
of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"; Lee's surrender at Appomattox
Court House; Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address; naval commander David
Farragut; and the Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry, balancing perspectives
of North and South, men and women, black and white. Readers will feel
a part of the history writing process through the authors' comments
on how they went about their research; how they used diaries, letters,
newspaper articles and books; what details and dialogue were fictionalized
and why; and how they used first-person accounts where possible. The
bibliography is excellent and includes books and websites for young
readers. Maps are large and easy to read, and occasional illustrations
complement the text nicely. A terrific history for the intended audience.
(introduction, timelines, Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, Acknowledgments,
Index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) 