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The Soldiers Story, The American Civil War by Hans Halberstadt
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When John asked my to review this volume, I was not really looking forward to it. I have an extensive library of civil war literature, and so much of it provides little fresh insight to the period, and is simply a reworking and presentation of previous works. Also the format of this book did not attract me, being full of pictures of modern day re-enactors playing at being soldiers, not really my cup of tea.
And I was put of by a number of the pictures illustrated, they just did not seem right. The men pictured often overweight, or at least altogether too well fed for the period. Pristine equipment sparkling, men with skin and uniforms that are just gleam in the sunlight, and are altogether too damn clean! This all jars with my own impression of the period, and the reality portrayed in the contemporary photographs.
But Halberstadt disarmed me straight away by highlighting these problems, and acknowledging them. he then goes on to state that what he hopes to achieve in this volume is an insight into the everyday life of a civil war soldier. And he does this with a prose style that is easy to accept, and that draws parallels based on his own military experience, this serves to emphasise the point to the contemporary reader. Quickly I found myself drawn into the narrative, and relearning things that I had read before, but that had not had the same impact on me.
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A "grubby" Reb reenactor |
There is much in this book for both the casual reader and the A.C.W. enthusiast or wargamer. The section on the sharpshooters in both armies is short but fascinating; and the chapter on artillery, including the modern photographs very impressive. I am still though undecided about using photographs of modern re-enactors to illustrate historical volumes, in some ways they bring the period to life, in others those they present a modern sanitized version of history, or worse, reinforce anachronistic views of a historical period. Having said that the majority of the illustrations indicate the length that enactors will go to in order to achieve accuracy in their uniforms and equipment, and if these same pictures were to be reproduced in sepia tones they might almost pass as originals.
As an introduction to the period, and as a source for inspiration in creating a wargames army this book can be highly recommended. For the ACW buff, the contents may be of only passing interest, but I am happy to display it on my shelves and have no doubt I will be referring to it in the future.
Mike Everson
Published by Brasseys.
Hardback, 128 pages Price £17.99
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