The American Civil War is among the most popular civil war that happened in the history of the world. It lasted for four long years, starting from 1861 until 1865. The civil war ignited because of the unending issue about the black people enslavement, which soon ended but the racial discrimination is still a hot controversy until this very day. The attack in Fort Sumter, South Carolina last April 1861 by the secessionists was the event that sparked the civil war. That’s also soon after the late president Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated.
Because of the awful and heartbreaking scenes that took place during the war, even on its aftermath, plenty of stories have been brought to life. These war stories may took place before, during, or after the battles and were written not just to document the events but also either to honor the lives that were lost or to show the struggles and hardships of civilians during that trying times. Literature has been one of the most effective means to express the heartaches and hopes of people that have experienced the horrors of the civil war.
With that being said, listed below are the wonderful stories about the civil war that you might want to add to your to-be-read list and shelf.
Gone with the Wind
Margaret Michell is the author of the amazing historical fiction book called Gone with the Wind. It was published by Macmillan Publishers in June of 1936. Clayton County and Atlanta during the civil war in the US and the era of reconstruction are the settings of the tale. It follows the story of a teenage spoiled brat of a well-off plantation owner named Scarlett O’Hara. This isn’t only about the civil war but also about coming-of-age.
The plot of the book doesn’t only tackles the transitioning of a teenage girl into adulthood but also about the significant societal issues that needs to be properly addressed, such as slavery and social status. Gone with the Wind’s success go beyond the realms of literature for it was adapted into films, musicals, stage plays, and other forms of entertainment and expression.
Cold Mountain
The Atlantic Monthly Press published the award-winning novel Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier in 1997. It follows the story of a wounded runaway member of the Confederate army named W.P. Inman. The deserter has been walking for months in order to go back into the arms of his one true love named Ada Monroe. Moreover, the story is set in the time when the American Civil War is almost over.
The narration of the story constantly alternated between the main character and Ada Monroe — who is a daughter of minister that just transferred to a farm in a countryside mountain close to the Cold Mountain, North Carolina from Charleston. Many have stated that the book has many similar aspects with the Odyssey by Homer. Moreover, Cold Mountain was definitely a wonderful book for it was awarded with the U.S National Book Award for Fiction.
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott is among the greatest writers in literature. One of her famous works is the Little Women, which was published by Roberts Brothers. The first volume of the book was published in 1868 while the second volume was in 1869. The story centers on the lives of four girls who are Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — also called as the March sisters. This book is about the country side living and the journey from childhood to adolescence.
Little Women is not totally a work of fiction for it was based on the lives of Alcott and her three siblings that were added with some touches of her imagination. Thus, the novel is not solely classified as a coming-of-age but also as semi-autobiographical. Also, it has been adapted into multiple films, musicals, and plays over the years. Jo’s Boys that was published in 1886 and Little Men that was published in 1871 are the sequels of the Little Women, which showcases the popular March sisters.
Scourged Souls
Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc. was the original publisher of the Scourge Souls by Keith Niles Corman. The book was first published on January 30, 2017, which was written by the former public servant. The tale is set during the civil war in the United States of America; but, the book is not solely about the war. It brings the readers into the lives of the characters where their paths briefly crossed when the war took place.
The clashing lives of the characters were either because of their connections to each other or not. The book discusses innocence and the way of living during the horrifying and trying times. Scourged Souls also cross the threshold of the characters’ beliefs, thoughts, and ideas. Thus, this work of fiction doesn’t thoroughly revolve on the American Civil War itself but also on those that were affected by it.
Trina’s Travel 