Author Topic: The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government  (Read 921 times)

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Offline 22rimfan

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The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government
« on: July 31, 2006, 10:41:43 AM »
Hello all.  I was wondering what the consensus is on Jefferson Davis' two volume book.  Does everyone like it pretty well or think it is a drag?  I've read some of the first volume and liked what I read, but I never got to finish it.  From what I did get through, Davis had a pretty easy style to read.  He wasn't over "wordy" about things and his writting seemed direct and to the point.  So, what does everyone else think of these books?
Aaron
Anyone who claims the 30-06 doesn't work has either not tried it or is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.

Offline 22rimfan

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Anyone who claims the 30-06 doesn't work has either not tried it or is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.

Offline nabob

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Re: The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2006, 05:27:29 AM »
I read in another thread that you had also been exposed to McPhearson's work. I guess you are getting the two ends of the spectrum!!

The Civil War period is not my area, but from the other threads I've read here, there seems to be a lingering anger and resentment even now, almost 150 years later. A lot of old hates, continually chewed over on both sides. I guess I'm just pointing out that to someone like me, without a dog in the hunt so to speak, it seems like folks are unwilling to just get over it and move on.

I'm part Irish and we have the story of the Banshee. This "woman of the Sidhe" (which is what the word means) is a ghost that comes a'wailing when someone is either about to die or has just died - most people are familiar enough with that. In the part of Ireland where my father's family originates, though, there is a twist to the legend. They say that what the Banshee is wailing is the litany of grievances the Irish have against the English, ensuring that at each death, the survivors are reminded why they should hate the English. In this way, the hate was passed from generation to generation.

I'd hate to see the Banshee show up on our shores.

Offline 22rimfan

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Re: The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2006, 06:13:02 AM »
nabob, you are right, there is alot of resentment left over from the Civil War.  I believe that it stems from Reconstruction, but this is just me belief from my American studies while trying to get my High School History Teaching Degree.  I like to study the war becasue it is really the last war where men stood shoulder to shoulder and duked it out over an open field.  I also like to debate over parts of the war, but I do not like to get people angry or agitated about it.  I like to engage in a civil debate which ends with everyone still being freinds.  I think it is important that people remember their heritiage, where they came from and what made them what they are today, just like you sir with your heritiage of the Banshee.  The Civil War, War for Southern Independence, War of Yankee Agression, ect divided the nation 180 years ago, and unfourtunately, it seems, still divides the country today.  Even though I am from the South, it is my hope that if there was a crisis that came to America, we could all put aside our differences and everyone stand together as Americans, not as Yankee or Johnny Reb, or Democrat or Rebublican, white or black, or any number of things, but stand and face the trouble as a united nation of Americans. 
Aaron
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Offline lgm270

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Re: The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2006, 01:17:11 PM »
I read Davis' two volume book and enjoyed it very much, although it did drag at times.  I enjoyed his discussion of the ratifiction process of the US constitution and his references to Federalist papers and other sources used to support his "compact theory" of the federal union. 

A very valuable historical work.