2011 is the Civil War sesquicentennial and I just bought Bruce Catton's trilogy for $100.

[Faygo Kid]

The Army of the Potomac, all original editions, including A Stillness At Appomattax, the single most important book of my life. I have been and will retire (hopefully) to near Benzonia, MI, and have seen his humble gravesite twice. We are in the sesquicentennial of the Civil War here in 2011, my DU friends - Happy new year.

I think we ought to appreciate what was done in the toughest war ever - the one that set men and women free. I hope that throughout the next four years, we will revisit moments here at DU that mattered.

My grandparents came over from Scandinavia around 1910. So I didn't have relatives in that fight. But I sure as hell am a beneficiary of it, and as an American, will never deny my legacy. They fought for things that Mattered. And so do we here at DU.

I hope all my DU friends will read Bruce Catton. He got it. With the best writing since Shakespeare. All the best for 2011, and let's not let the falsehoods about the Civil War prevail.

[neverforget]

1. I'm reading Chancellorsville by Stephen Sears at the moment.

I plan on reading Bruce Catton sometime soon.

[Faygo Kid]

2. I've got that, too, and have read it. Great stuff.

Please read Bruce, as well, and revisit DU for the Sesquicentennial.

I live in Maryland. I am so fortunate to be here for the next few years.

[neverforget]

3. I like it so far and I always read the posts on the Civil War here at DU.

I've only visited 1 Civil War battlefield (Fort Donelson) but would love to visit them all especially Vicksburg where my great, great grandfather served with the 21st Iowa. The Civil War fascinates me.

[woodsprite]

4. Thanks for posting. I should go back and reread in rememberance.

We took a camping trip to Gettysburg in November. I'd love to take the kids back up there for the anniversary of the battle in July, but we have a reunion to go to in Hendersonville, NC. Maybe we'll make it up over spring break. Even my 10yo was taken with the history and the size of the battlefield, but seemed especially taken with Devil's Den. There was soooo much we didn't see in only a long weekend.