49 pages 1 hour read

Tony Horwitz

Confederates In The Attic: Dispatches From The Unfinished Civil War

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1998

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Confederates in the Attic, journalist Tony Horwitz explores his fascination with the American Civil War by traveling through the Southern United States, visiting battlefields, museums, and monuments, and interviewing the locals. The book presents a nuanced exploration of Southern culture through diverse voices, highlighting themes like nostalgia, heritage, and racial tension without reaching definitive conclusions. Topics addressed in the book include racism and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Tony Horwitz's Confederates In The Attic is praised for its insightful exploration of Civil War memory in contemporary America, blending historical analysis with engaging personal anecdotes. Readers appreciate Horwitz’s humor and narrative style but some criticize the book for an occasional lack of depth in its portrayal of sensitive topics. Ideal for history buffs.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Confederates In The Attic?

Readers of Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz will enjoy an engaging blend of American history and cultural exploration. Ideal for fans of books like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Hillbilly Elegy, it appeals to those interested in Civil War legacies, Southern identity, and insightful reportage.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Sociology

History: U.S.

Military / War

Themes

Life/Time: The Past

Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Genre

Action / Adventure

Travel Literature

Humor

Period

American Civil War