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Parker Barrett

Reading Response Log: The Civil War

Rationale:

Welcome U.S.History students! For this portion of the class we will be taking an in depth look at the American Civil War (War Between the States). Along with the notes and technology lessons, we will read five various books pertaining to the Civil War. These books will allow the students to better understand the culture and lives of the people during the conflict.

I chose these books for many reasons. I have been an avid Civil War fan since I was seven years old. Each of these five books that I would have my students read are books that I have read in the past. Some of these books are purely historical, while others are historical works of fiction that give the students a personal look at the closeness of the opposing sides.

1. Title: Voices From Civil War

Author: Meltzer, Milton

Publisher: Crowell,

Pub date: c1989.

ISBN: 0690048009

Item info: 1 copy available at Amarillo Public Library North

Summary-

This book is composed of primary and secondary sources and is intended for the purpose of gaining perspective into the lives of those who lived during the Civil War. This book has 203 pages and most all of the book is dedicated to letters of soldiers on both sides and high-ranking personnel.

Personal Notes-

As an avid historian and school-teacher, I love how this book captures the raw details of the war and not just the beauty that most authors try to emulate. Some of the letters are really haunting because that person soon after died in duty. All in all this book will be an excellent opportunity for the high school students to capture the essence of civilian and military life during the war.

Usage in Classroom-

After reading this book, the students could write a “war-time” letter to a loved one just as the men and women did in real life during the War Between the States.

2. Title: Where Death and Glory Meet

Author: Duncan, Russell.

Publisher: University of Georgia Press,

Pub date: c1999.

ISBN: 0820321354

Item info: 1 copy available at Amarillo Public Library Southwest

Summary-

This book gives an historical account of the African American soldiers of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry and their leader, Col. Robert Shaw. The book goes into detail about the failed, but valiant, charge at Ft. Wagner led by Col. Shaw.

Personal Notes-

This book does a great job exploring the challenges that the African American soldiers of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry faced on and off the battlefield. It should be a good read for high school students due to the personal nature of race and freedom that is involved in the book.

Usage in Classroom-

Have the students discuss the actions of various people and people groups in this book. Were the actions of the Confederate soldiers’ extreme for war time conditions? Was Col. Shaw smart in organizing a charge on the fort knowing what would most likely happen to the black soldiers if they were unsuccessful?

3. Title: Words for the Hour

Author: Barrett, Faith

Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press,

Pub date: c2005.

ISBN: 1558495096

Item info: All copies are taken from Amarillo Public Library at the moment

Summary-

This book gives the reader a glance into the art and passion that went into the lives of poets during the Civil War. The100 plus pages of this book are all poems that glorify and expose the American Civil War.

Personal Notes-

I love how this book brings about passion to this brutal time period, not just stats and facts. The poems all express different perspectives for both sides of the fight.

Usage in Classroom-

The great thing about this book is that it can be used in a History or English class. I would turn this assignment into an interdisciplinary lesson, examining the literary themes and formations of the poems while exploring the thoughts, locations, and dates of the poets.

4. Title: Genealogical resources of the Civil War era: online and published military or civilian name lists, 1861-1869, & post-war veteran lists

Author: Dollarhide, William.

Publisher:Family Roots Pub. Co.,

Pub date: c2009.

ISBN: 9781933194455

Item info:1 copy available at Amarillo Public Library Central.

Summary-

This book is mainly a list of stats and names pertaining to the War Between the States, but does a great job manifesting the massive toll the Civil War took on civilians and soldiers alike.

Personal Notes-

I try not to incorporate boring book about random facts and stats into the curriculum. This, however, is a different stat book. The entire time I read the book in high school I was enamored at how the author was able to make the book such an enjoyable read for an amateur historian like myself.

Usage in Classroom-

The main purpose in using this book in my classroom would be for the resources that are made available in this book. This book could help many students with research papers dealing with the Civil War Era in the fact that it has ample amounts of stats and primary and secondary sources.

5. Title: The Civil War: an illustrated history

Author: Ward, Geoffrey C.

Publication info New York: Knopf, 1990.

ISBN: 0394562852 :

Item info: 1 copy available at Amarillo Public Library Central

Summary-

This book is a really great piece for any historian or teacher to have in their library. Based off of the Ken Burns documentary, The Civil War gives great insight into the entire scope of the disastrous conflict.

Personal Notes-

This was one of the first Civil War books I ever read growing up and continue to look over the pages, marveling at the detail in the book over the content. This is a pretty lengthy book, might as well be classified as a textbook, but there are some great passage for individual detail.

Usage for Classroom-

There are many things a student can accomplish by using this book. One thought might be for the student to draw up and complete a military map of a certain battle, complete with headquarters, flanks, water passages, etc. This book could also become the main focus for a research project in which a student, or multiple students, select a certain passage or event to research based on the content of the book. They could create a PowerPoint, give a speech regarding a battle, or could recreate a battle or event using students in the classroom as historical figures of the time. The possibilities are endless with this book.

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