The Civil War has long been described as a war pitting "brother against brother." The divided family is an enduring metaphor for the divided nation; but it also accurately reflects the reality of America's bloodiest war. Connecting the metaphor to the real experiences of families whose households were split by conflicting opinions about the war; Amy Murrell Taylor provides a social and cultural history of the divided family in Civil War America. In hundreds of border state households; brothers--and sisters--really did fight one another; while fathers and sons argued over secession and husbands and wives struggled with opposing national loyalties. Even enslaved men and women found themselves divided over how to respond to the war. Taylor studies letters; diaries; newspapers; and government documents to understand how families coped with the unprecedented intrusion of war into their private lives. Family divisions inflamed the national crisis while simultaneously embodying it on a small scale--something noticed by writers of popular fiction and political rhetoric; who drew explicit connections between the ordeal of divided families and that of the nation. Weaving together an analysis of this popular imagery with the experiences of real families; Taylor demonstrates how the effects of the Civil War went far beyond the battlefield to penetrate many facets of everyday life.
#691535 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2005-08-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.12 x 6.13l; 1.43 #File Name: 0807856622448 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Researcher's take on Mr. Rankin's "NC Continentals"By David A. BrightIt is not often that I write reviews but felt it necessary to share what I know about this book - I've read it several times. If you are interested in American Revolution history or the role of NC in the American Revolution or in the movements of a particular NC regiment; Mr. Rankin's work is a must have. I have read the section on Valley Forge; Charlestown and Eutaw Springs several times and often go back to it to aide in research of my NC ancestors. Well written. I recommend this book and thank Mr. Rankin for writing it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Debra G. PowellGift0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful informationBy Phyllis ForsytheEven though I didn't find mention of the family I was seeking in this book; it is a very informative and interesting book. I highly recommend it.
