The men of the Eighth Georgia Infantry Regiment answered the Confederate call to arms in the spring of 1861. They fought hard in most major battles of the war; including Bull Run and Gettysburg; enduring heartbreaking losses and finally; at Appomattox; witnessing their ultimate defeat. A Scythe of Fire tells the remarkable story of this regiment; which held together through long years of victory; defeat; and despair. The magnificent product of meticulous research; Warren Wilkinson and Steven E. Woodworth's stirring chronicle brings the conflict alive through the eyes of the courageous men who fought and died on the nation's battlefields. Based on personal accounts; diaries; letters; and other primary sources; A Scythe of Fire is the history of the Eighth Georgia as experienced by those who carried its standard into battle: doctors and farmers; landowners and simple folk -- each dedicated to victory; yet proud and unbroken in the face of defeat.
#1080875 in Books 2005-03-29 2005-03-29Format: Deckle EdgeOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.28 x 6.13l; 1.97 #File Name: 0060524308560 pageshistory of the underground railroad leading up to the US Civil War
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Showing how every individual can make a differenceBy Green PenFergus Bordewich has written an immensely readable and gripping history of the underground railroad; bringing to life the most famous of its "conductors" and many of its unsung heroes as well. This book made me realize how little I knew about the railroad and the years before the Civil War. "In an age when self-interest has been elevated in our culture to a public and political virtue;" Bordewich writes in the Feb. 2; 2007 issue of the New York Times; "the Underground Railroad still has something to teach: that every individual; no matter how humble; can make a difference in the world; and that the importance of one’s life lies not in money or celebrity; but in doing the right thing; even in silence or secrecy; and without reward." After reading this book; I couldn't agree more.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. but the author does an excellent job of collecting the available materialBy Ken WengerBound for Canaan is a remarkable history of the Underground Railroad. Those involved in the railroad tended not to keep written records of their activities; but the author does an excellent job of collecting the available material. Although the book is well-written; I don't consider it to be easy reading. For one thing the book is long--as mentioned; the author did his research. In some cases; the individuals are hard to follow. The story is generally told by chronology and themes--a person might appear in one chapter; disappear for a while in the narrative; and then reappear later. I sometimes had trouble remembering where I had heard that name before. As one might suspect at the outset; a book dealing with slavery is not dealing with a pleasant subject.The book is a very significant. As the author notes; with the exception of Harriet Tubman; those involved with the Underground Railroad are largely unknown today. This book recognizes the accomplishments of many of these heroes. both black and white. I mentioned above that it was sometimes difficult to remember where a name came up before. I think some of this was because I hadn't heard the name before reading this book. As a teacher; I also was impressed with the value the ex-slaves placed upon educating themselves and their children. We too often take our freedoms and ability to acquire education for granted--these people valued both.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ExcellentBy Matt FWell written; easy to read; coherent story of the underground railroad. The only gripe I'd have with this book is that the author probably takes some liberties in describing the emotions or possible actions of actors where they aren't clear from primary sources but the language he uses almost always makes it clear where speculation exists.The author does an;excellent job of weaving the overall story around the lives of several frequently recurring individual making the themes apparent through anecdotes involving the main players.Worth reading.
