Louise's Reviews > Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War

In the late 1990’s author Tony Horowitz explored “the South” and its relationship with the Civil War. He starts with battle re-enactors and moves on to visit museums and historians. He covers contemporary issues, walks battlefields, reports on monuments and the feelings they evoke. He meets notables and everyday people, civil rights leaders and those active in keeping “southern culture” alive.

Horowitz holds your attention throughout. You come away with the feeling that mourning and saluting the “lost cause” are key parts of southern life. Some local governments and many organizations are devoted to keeping this flame alive. Horowitz regularly hears an outright hatred for Yankees, the federal government and denial (ignorance of) about slavery, Andersonville and the reasons for the war.

The author being Jewish adds to a dimension as he notes the role of this minority in southern life; he meets those who spout conspiracy theories about Jews.

Blacks, with plenty of reason to feel outside this culture are not alone in their skepticism. Horowitz also finds white hold outs, even in confederate museums and among the re-enactors.

The episodes that stand out in my mind:
• Elements about -re-enacting and the pilgrimage are sometimes called the “civil wargasms”.
• The interview with Shelby Foote (he does not come off well).
• The chapter about the last living widow of a CSA soldier (the over-adulated family shows authenticity while its story does not).
• Businesses such as one that rents Civil War/Gone with the Wind characters and/or makes quality Confederate themed products that is founded/owned by a Yankee.
• The contemporary issues from this trip such as a racially charged murder in Charleston, adding an Arthur Ashe statue to Monument Avenue in Richmond, VA, the renaming of a high school team, and attracting tourists who may be more interested in civil rights that the civil war remain today, 20+ years after the trip.

The book should have some photos and Rob Hodge, who added a lot of substance, should appear in the Acknowledgements.

There is a lot of food for thought here. A re-tracing of these steps in the late 2010’s is in order.