Book Review:Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horowitz

Imagine if you will that your Great Great Grandfather at nineteen years old immigrates from Eastern Europe at the turn of the 2oth century. He can't speak a word of English. You might wonder
what does this adventurous 5'2" Yiddish speaking young man do when he first arrives in New York City? Of course, he wanders into a book store. Does he purchase an English translation book or a map of New York City? No, he purchases a pictorial history of the American Civil War!
Is this for real? Yes indeed it is. That young man was the Great Great Grandfather of Tony Horowitz the renowned war time journalist and author of Confederates in the Attic...

This one purchase by Isaac Horowitz 80 + years ago set the pattern for the future Horowitz men in the family. Tony, his father and grandfather all know Isaac's book intimately. They know every battle, general and both minor and major players of the conflict. Tony was woken up every morning by his father charging up the stairs brandishing a sword shouting "Rouse the TROOPS". The Horowitz family took the American Civil War very seriously. It wasn't just a hobby but a commitment of serious study for life.

Tony grew up and won a Pulitzer prize for his journalistic coverage of the volatile Middle East conflicts over the years as well as the war in Bosnia. Coming home to America to settle down with his new wife in Virginia he discovers an aspect of the Civil War that the Horowitz family wasn't really aware of THE REENACTORS! Oh my what a discovery it was too. You know there is a cast system classes of reenactors. There are the once in awhile hobbyist, then the more serious weekend group, but nothing compares to the hardcore enthusiasts.

Being the man Tony is he couldn't let this opportunity pass by he had to see for himself what it means to be truly hardcore reenactors of the Civil War. He sets upon a year long journey through-out the southern united states finding out more than he could ever imagine about The War Between the States.

Tony meets all kinds of folks, all with definite opinions about slavery, Yankees and state rights.
The journey will end with Tony finding out more about himself than he could ever imagine and what he stood for. Don't miss out on this journey with Tony. It will make you laugh out loud, cry, scare you to death and angry! Every one should read this book American or not. We can all thumb our noses at the actions of our ancestors in the past, but wait a minute, has things really changed in human nature that much? Find out!

This book is now available in Kindle as well as paperback through Amazon.

5 big stars rating from me!