Saturday, May 23, 2009

Catton Memories   [John J. Miller]

Responding to this, here's Seattle radio man Kirby Wilbur:

John, reading your column today, you mentioned Bruce Catton's book on the Civil War for younger readers, that was my favorite book when I was a kid. I lived in Virginia in the early 60s, the centennial celebration, and I LOVED that book, particularly the battlefield maps with the columns of soldiers. I still have a copy of the book which I do occasionally still read, and study those maps, especially before I visit the battlefields. Thanks for stirring the memories.

Another reader:

Thank you for that mention of the Golden Book of the Civil War. I loved those battle scenes... my mother bought me that book 30+ years ago and many nights I read the book under my blanket with a flashlight.

Actually those battle scenes are still relevant to my ongoing discussions regarding the Civil War to this day...

How could Perryville and Atlanta be considered major battles if the Golden Book had none of those battle scenes?

Why was McClellan a bad general? Because any 8-year old boy with the Golden Book could see that Sharpsburg was largely undefended and open to Union attack.

I still don't understand to this day why Grant fought in the Wilderness. Anybody looking at the Golden Book would see that not only was there a path behind Confederate lines but that the Confederate soldiers in the battle scene were looking the other way.

05/23 07:02 AMShare