471A3--Week 10 Questions/Comments--Tuesday

I was shocked by what one of the reenactors, sorry living historians, said to Horowitz. "There's something in me that wishes we could really go the whole way, I'd take the chance of being killed just to see what it was really like to be under fire in the War. At least then we'd know for sure if we're doing it right." Seriously? I'm all about studying and "celebrating" history, and I'm even an avid gun rights advocate, but that guy scares me. A majority of Marines training today to inflict damage on people and their things that don't look forward to doing so. What kind of dedication to historical accuracy (cause?) would one have to have to think in that extreme? (16) - Jason I was impressed with the responses that the preacher Michael King gave to Horowitz's questions. On the monument King said, "It's idol worship. I feel sorry for folks who feel like they have to put up idols to feel good about themselves." (43) On how white Southerners could honor their ancestors, "Remember your ancestors, but remember what they fought for too, and recognize it as wrong. Then maybe you can invite me to your Lee and Jackson birthday party.  That's the deal." (44) Two of the best responses that I have seen confronting the monument and remembrance questions. - Jason I really liked the second response. I feel that was the point that we all have been trying to deal with throughout the semester. Its definitely a good answer to the question of Confederate heritage and the Confederate flag. Is it racism or heritage? Horowitz did a great job trying to make the distinction here.-- George H This is my second time reading this book and I absolutely loved it just as much as the first time, its definitely a refreshing break from the normal scholarly readings. Horwitz does an excellent job blending history with humor, while covering all of the significant aspects of the war. --Mary O. I'm with Mary--this is my second reading of the book. Naturally, the second time around I realized I had missed out so much more than the first. What struck me the most was how extreme re-enactors, or "hardcores," truly are. I understood that most try to be as historically as accurate as possible, but talking in nineteenth century lingo and soaking items of your clothing in urine is a lot more historically accurate and dedicated than I remembered reading the first time. The main question I have so far is what is the "norm" for re-enactors--are a majority of them "hardcores" or reenactors that still relate to the present time? --Carly W.  I can't remember if this was addressed in the reading (I read it over the weekend), but distribution wise,where are most reenactors from? I feel like they're mostly Southern, but I remember guys mentioning they're from NY and stuff too... --Carly W. I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, but I had no idea that re-enactors went through so much work to try to be as historically accurate as possible, I guess this is because I come from Yorktown and take a lot of re-enacting for grainted...I see Revolutionary War re-enactors all of the time.. -Meg O I have a friend that re-enacts in Yorktown, unfortunately the Revolutionary War..I know, but I never really paid attention to the details he is expected to know...my brother actually did a re-enactment of a battle of the Civil War when he was about 8 but I unfortunately don't really remember much about his experience, but it would be interesting to see what he thinks of it now. -Meg O The part about this reading that stood out to me the most was Horwitz's experience while in Kentucky (the chapter Dying for Dixie), where he encounters blatant and threatening racism. His description of the atmosphere at the Todd County schools seem almost fictional to me because I didn't really think situations like that still existed. Being a product of a private Catholic middle and high school (then coming to umw...) I was never subject to tension between races and I was disgusted at what Horwitz sees while visiting. Its instances like these that grab the attention of outsiders and provide a sensational stereotype of small Southern towns. -Cameron F I didn’t know what to expect before reading this book, and I was in for a surprise…in a good way! Usually it takes me awhile to get through readings like this but I found myself getting through it a lot quicker than usual. It was a refreshing read with hidden humor, which I really appreciated. I thought it was funny how Horwitz included the “Top Ten Civil War Studs” discussion he found online. (126) The reenactments seemed to be full of a lot more intensity than I had imagined. It makes me wish I would have time to go see the one in December rather than working on my thesis. Oh well, there is always the 200 year commemoration. –Ana Y. I don't have any previous knowledge on Civil War re-enactors before reading this, so I was really surprised to learn that the culture was so clique-ish! I think I had the same question as Carly... are all re-enactments like this? Is it normal for re-enactors to classify themselves by who is more authentic and therefore doing a better job of remembering the battle? I was disappointed to read that all re-enactors didn't all get along perfectly together, but that just might be my ignorance of the subject. -Cameron F

I found it really interesting when he was talking about Children of the Confederacy. I thought that was so interesting. We have read about the others groups, but to read how children were involved and had adopted the ideas was really interesting. The pamphlet that he talked about was also really curious…I wonder what some of the other questions were… -Kayle P

I have a few friends who re-enact (I suspect the SOuthern Guard would call them farby), and if I thought they were intense, the reenactors as presented in here blow them out of the water! I wonder how much reenacting has changed in the fifteen or so years since this was written? - Carly B

I've been enjoying this book more than I though I would, and it's also been really useful as a tool for testing my understanding of the dynamics in Southern vs Northern ideology. It's also a refreshing read for this class, because I can think about the headier issues (what is racism? at what point do we judge too far? Racists are people, too. What does the flag mean? etc) without getting bogged down in excruciating detail. - Carly B

My favorite thing about this book is that it's a brutally honest reminder that people are individuals. In this class, by necessity, we have been grouping people into categories, but life isn't all neat boxes. There are exceptions, and there are people who do actually embody the stereotype, and there are people who fall somewhere in between. - Carly B.

Also, I love the cover of the edition I have. This isn't a discussion point, just a statement of admiration. - Carly B.

This was definitely an enjoyable read. It wanders a little off from most of the books we have read so far. Horowitz does a great job keeping the reader entertained while giving the facts. I think conducting the interviews was an interesting way to retell the history and to get a interesting take across that the Confederate's hatred of the Union is not unjustified. However, the narrative deepens when Horowitz tells stories about presumably Confederate towns not caring for the Civil War or the Confederacy. Horowitz traveled to Charleston expecting to find all things Confederacy. When he arrived at the visitors center, the lobbyist didn't have really any idea of the Confederacy. It makes me wonder if the Civil War might be out of touch with some communities due to the realization of slavery and racism.- George H