BOOK LIST (to print) -- CIVIL WAR
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This painting of the 1865 surrender at Appomattox Court House was painted by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris in 1920 and is used by permission of the Virginia Historical Society for the cover of our Stories of Grant and Lee. It is said to be an accurate representation of that day. The Court House is just a couple of minutes away from me and I go there often and imagine the events that took place there. A favorite place I go to think is the bluff where Lee and Grant met briefly on horseback, overlooking a beautiful valley. Last year they had a huge re-enactment for the 150th anniversary of the surrender and for several days, we got to mingle with the Union and Confederate soldiers who set up camp there. My granddaughters even got to shake General Grant's hand! And my daughters and I went back after dark --a rare opportunity -- and saw a ghost in the very room depicted by this painting:)
The Civil War was not a fight of the good guys against the bad guys. The more I study it, the more I find heroes . . . on both sides of the conflict. I don't find a lot of villains. Both sides prayed to God for victory. Both sides were moved by the Battle Cry of Freedom. Both General Lee and General Grant felt they were in the Hands of Providence and trusted in Him for the proper outcome. Both of their lives are an inspiration. And in spite of the terrible destruction and loss of life, somehow our nation emerged stronger and more united.
In allotting a month for the study of the Civil War, it was never my intention that it would be a month of studying the battles, but rather a study of heroism and the lessons gleaned from a people embroiled in conflict and divisions. If you have children who are old enough to take in the whole of the Civil War, here is a really good book that tells it like a story and gives understanding. It's a long book--over 530 pages-- but it's made up of 36 very doable chapters. A chapter a day will have the book read in just over a month. I hope by now you know I never suggest the 'single' book--I would expect you'll read many versions and many angles. But I think you'll find this a strong foundation. It's in the online library, but here's a link.
Your children may enjoy these Then and Now photos of Civil War places as they look today.
Your girls may enjoy the story of Clara Barton, a Civil War nurse and American Red Cross founder who, as a young girl, was so painfully shy, her parents had to pull her out of school. She's one of the subjects of the Childhood of Famous Americans Series, but there are a number of good biographies out there. Here's 'The Story of My Childhood' written for children by Clara Barton herself. Look, also, for the Childhood books of Grant and Lee as well as other biographies in the online library. I have no idea where the perception came from, but my only impression of General Grant was that he was a drunk. I've talked to others who have had the same impression. Prepare to have a change of heart as you read Elbridge Brooks' True Story of Grant, which is also included in our printed book this month.
Robert E. Lee never clamored for the lime light. He was a humble giant of a man. There are some simple stories of his life--of how he cared for his invalid mother as a young boy-- in the online library. I thought you may enjoy getting a glimpse of who he was from this interesting article I found online.
This may be the month you want to introduce your family to the writings of Louisa May Alcott. Little Women takes place in New England during and following the Civil War years. If you've read Little Women, pick up a copy of Little Men or Jo's Boys or any of her other writings. There is much to learn about family life and learning in these books. Or there are several versions of Little Women movies. If your children are old enough, watch them all and let your children compare and critique the differences. And if your children want to learn more about Louisa, Invincible Louisa is a 1934 Newbery Award winning book about her life.
For your older children, Gone With the Wind is a favorite. I never cared about the Civil War until I read Gone With The Wind on my own. And the movie is one of the most perfect movies ever made. Even though your younger children may not understand all that is going on in the movie, they'll gain an impression of the old South and the sadness of war. Across Five Aprils is another favorite work of Historical Fiction for 10 and olders. It's a story of what war does to a loving family's everyday life and is told through the eyes of a 9 year old Southern Illinois farm boy. It's a Newbery Honor book.
Enjoy some music from Civil War days in Enrichment.
The Civil War was not a fight of the good guys against the bad guys. The more I study it, the more I find heroes . . . on both sides of the conflict. I don't find a lot of villains. Both sides prayed to God for victory. Both sides were moved by the Battle Cry of Freedom. Both General Lee and General Grant felt they were in the Hands of Providence and trusted in Him for the proper outcome. Both of their lives are an inspiration. And in spite of the terrible destruction and loss of life, somehow our nation emerged stronger and more united.
In allotting a month for the study of the Civil War, it was never my intention that it would be a month of studying the battles, but rather a study of heroism and the lessons gleaned from a people embroiled in conflict and divisions. If you have children who are old enough to take in the whole of the Civil War, here is a really good book that tells it like a story and gives understanding. It's a long book--over 530 pages-- but it's made up of 36 very doable chapters. A chapter a day will have the book read in just over a month. I hope by now you know I never suggest the 'single' book--I would expect you'll read many versions and many angles. But I think you'll find this a strong foundation. It's in the online library, but here's a link.
Your children may enjoy these Then and Now photos of Civil War places as they look today.
Your girls may enjoy the story of Clara Barton, a Civil War nurse and American Red Cross founder who, as a young girl, was so painfully shy, her parents had to pull her out of school. She's one of the subjects of the Childhood of Famous Americans Series, but there are a number of good biographies out there. Here's 'The Story of My Childhood' written for children by Clara Barton herself. Look, also, for the Childhood books of Grant and Lee as well as other biographies in the online library. I have no idea where the perception came from, but my only impression of General Grant was that he was a drunk. I've talked to others who have had the same impression. Prepare to have a change of heart as you read Elbridge Brooks' True Story of Grant, which is also included in our printed book this month.
Robert E. Lee never clamored for the lime light. He was a humble giant of a man. There are some simple stories of his life--of how he cared for his invalid mother as a young boy-- in the online library. I thought you may enjoy getting a glimpse of who he was from this interesting article I found online.
This may be the month you want to introduce your family to the writings of Louisa May Alcott. Little Women takes place in New England during and following the Civil War years. If you've read Little Women, pick up a copy of Little Men or Jo's Boys or any of her other writings. There is much to learn about family life and learning in these books. Or there are several versions of Little Women movies. If your children are old enough, watch them all and let your children compare and critique the differences. And if your children want to learn more about Louisa, Invincible Louisa is a 1934 Newbery Award winning book about her life.
For your older children, Gone With the Wind is a favorite. I never cared about the Civil War until I read Gone With The Wind on my own. And the movie is one of the most perfect movies ever made. Even though your younger children may not understand all that is going on in the movie, they'll gain an impression of the old South and the sadness of war. Across Five Aprils is another favorite work of Historical Fiction for 10 and olders. It's a story of what war does to a loving family's everyday life and is told through the eyes of a 9 year old Southern Illinois farm boy. It's a Newbery Honor book.
Enjoy some music from Civil War days in Enrichment.