Praise for drew gilpin fausts this republic of suffering extraordinary. Near the conclusion of the book, faust observes a particular dilemma at the core of trying to understand the deaths. Posts about the republic of suffering written by tolmsted. Drew gilpin fasts book, this republic of suffering, covers something much more personal. The author does not forget to mention the estimated 1. Death and the american civil war there is a whole industry devoted the production and distribution of books about the american civil war. This was a fantastic book, though sometimes hard to stomach. Published shortly before the sesquicentennial, it was widely. Drew gilpin faust delineates the ways death changed not. During her tenure there, she published this book, which was a finalist for both the pulitzer prize and the national book award.
The civil war death rate was six times that of world war ii, when. This republic of suffering explores the impact of this enormous death toll from every angle. This book won both the bancroft prize and the american history book prize in 2008. This republic of suffering by drew gilpin faust books on. Jan 27, 2008 the lasting but littleunderstood impact of all that sacrifice is the subject of drew gilpin fausts extraordinary new book, this republic of suffering. It describes, in numbing detail, the lived experience of americans with the carnage of the civil war. Death and the american civil war is a nonfiction book by drew gilpin faust, a wellknown historian and the first female president of harvard university. Driving our cars, however, is unlike confederate and union soldiers gathered. Contemporary photographs illustrate human bodies rotting on battlefields. The title of drew gilpin fausts book, this republic of suffering, is derived from a quote by frederick law olmsted, who described the nation in that way as he encountered thousands of wounded men. This republic of suffering is a strange book, at once bloody and bloodless. This republic of suffering npr coverage of this republic of suffering. Women of the slaveholding south in the american civil war, 1996, etc.
Drew gilpin fausts republic of suffering is a fascinating examination of the farreaching effects that the civil wars high death tolls had upon american society. Death created the modern american union, she writes, not just by ensuring national survival, but by shaping enduring national structures and. Although at times the details are unflinching and grisly, they are included to paint a graphic picture of the true cost of war, and to put pain, loss and grief in true perspective. As faust makes clear, the scope of the carnage was sweeping. The book shows how people of this time dealt with death and how the death of.
An illuminating study of the american struggle to comprehend the meaning and practicalities of death in the face of the unprecedented carnage of the civil war. In the end one can only conclude, as the author does, that the meaning of the civil war lies in death itself. Jan 08, 2008 this republic of suffering ebook written by drew gilpin faust. Death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust is an extraordinary book that provides a look back in time to see how 19thcentury americans viewed death and how the civil war fueled the growth of the funeral industry and the creation of national cemeteries, and caused the military to expand its functions dramatically. Abraham lincoln and walt whitman receive special attention. Death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust. Fausts book is an illuminating study of the american struggle to comprehend the meaning and practicalities. This republic of suffering audiobook by drew gilpin.
This republic of suffering vintage civil war library. In this republic of suffering, drew gilpin faust reveals the ways that death on such a scale changed not only individual lives but the life of the nation, describing. Originally published in the june 2008 issue of american history. What most americans came to believe about the self was. During the war, approximately 620,000 soldiers lost their lives. An illuminating study of the american struggle to compr. Newsweek a shattering history of the war, focusing exclusively on death and dyinghow americans prepared for. This republic of suffering book the kansas city public.
In this republic of suffering, drew gilpin faust reveals the ways that death on such a scale changed not only individual lives but the life of the nation, describing how the survivors managed on a practical level and how a deeply religious culture. The work includes numerous stories of individual soldiers and their families, and descriptions of battle tactics with an emphasis on gettysburg. Drew gilpin faust, the president of harvard, has written an extraordinary new book about the enormous loss of human life in the civil war. This republic of suffering book johnson county library. In this republic of suffering, drew gilpin faust reveals the ways that death on such a scale changed not only individual lives but the life of the nation, describing how the survivors managed on a practical level and how a deeply religious culture struggled to reconcile the. This book was one of the most read civil war studies of the last two decades. The tremendous change that swept the united states due to the horrendous number of war dead. Most civil war books are about great battles and specific generals. Drew fausts brilliant new book, this republic of suffering, builds profoundly from the opening discussion of the christian ideal of the good death to the last harrowing chapters on the exhumation, partial identification, reburial and counting of the union dead. Beginning with individuals confrontation with death and dying, the book explores how those experiences transformed society, culture, and politics in what became a broader republic of shared suffering. The civil war death rate was six times that of world war ii, when adjusted against the size of the american population. This republic of suffering explores the impact of the enormous death toll from material, political, intellectual, and spiritual angles. Marjorie kehe, the christian science monitor if you read only one book on the civil war this year, make it this one.
This republic of suffering, by drew gilpin faust southern. The lasting but littleunderstood impact of all that sacrifice is the subject of drew gilpin fausts extraordinary new book, this republic of suffering. This republic of suffering has received a great deal of attention, which it clearly deserves. A moving work of social history, detailing how the civil war changed perceptions and behaviors about death. Death and the american civil war january 9, 2008 on january 9, 2008, harvard university president drew gilpin faust spoke on her newest book, this republic of suffering. The number of soldiers who died in the civil war, about 620,000, equals those felled from the american. Mar 12, 2020 drew fausts brilliant new book, this republic of suffering, builds profoundly from the opening discussion of the christian ideal of the good death to the last harrowing chapters on the exhumation, partial identification, reburial and counting of the union dead. In this republic of suffering, drew gilpin faust reveals the ways that death on such a scale changed not only individual lives but the life of the nation, describing how the survivors managed on a practical level and how a deeply religious culture struggled to reconcile the unprecedented carnage with its belief in a benevolent god.
I wish i could say something more exciting than this but im working my way through a. Jan 10, 2008 a moving work of social history, detailing how the civil war changed perceptions and behaviors about death. Reviewed by daniel james sundahl the preface to drew gilpin fausts this republic of suffering begins with a pointed sentence. In this republic of suffering, drew gilpin faust reveals the ways that death on such a scale changed. Harvard president and historian faust mothers of invention. Death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust 5,540 ratings, 4. This republic of suffering analysis 2109 words cram. This republic of suffering this republic of suffering audiobook, by drew gilpin faust. The eminent historian drew gilpin faust delineates the ways death changed not only individual lives but the life of the nation and its understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Republic of suffering isnt a religious history, but it is certainly a book about the self.
Reading this book was as painful as an untreated leg amputation. This republic of suffering audiobook by drew gilpin faust. This republic of suffering audiobook listen instantly. I also liked the idea of a republic of suffering as the title of the book because so much killing changes the role of public programs and government policies. True in any and all circumstances, including driving to work in the morning or returning home in the evening.
Newsweek a shattering history of the war, focusing exclusively on death and dyinghow americans prepared. This republic of suffering book hillsborough county. Assesses the impact of the enormous carnage of the civil war on every aspect of american life from a material. Your favor for the historical analysis of the war is clear, but in the main this approach tends to result in dry, mistaken material such at this republic of suffering. This republic of suffering is a harrowing but fascinating read. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the republic and what it means. Insight and observations like that placed this republic of suffering on many best of lists for 2008 and made it a finalist for both the national book award and the still to be awarded national book critics circle book awards. If you read only one book on the civil war this year, make it this one. In the end one can only conclude, as the author does, that the meaning of the. The powerful democratic impulses of the war forced a reexamination of the neglect of the dead that was assumed and regularized in. Eleven of us showed up wednesday night, a relatively small showing, to discuss this republic of suffering. Death and the american civil war, in which she explores the impact of the death toll of approximately 620,000 soldier during the. The book this republic of suffering illustrates the great deal of hardship the american civil war brought upon not only the soldiers fighting the battles along with the generals and political officials at the front of the war but also how the civilians were affected. Pdf this republic of suffering download full pdf book.
Analysis of the book this republic of suffering 2109. An equivalent proportion of todays population would be six million. The focus of the book is briefly stated at the outset page xv. In this republic of suffering, drew gilpin faust reveals the ways that death on such a scale changed not. Blight examine the lives that were irrevocably changed by. Drew fausts brilliant new book, this republic of suffering, builds profoundly from the opening discussion of the christian ideal of the good death to the last. Jan 08, 2008 drew fausts brilliant new book, this republic of suffering, builds profoundly from the opening discussion of the christian ideal of the good death to the last harrowing chapters on the exhumation, partial identification, reburial and counting of the union dead. More than 600,000 soldiers lost their lives in the american civil war. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. I suggest that republic of suffering is a failure because its premise is a failure.
This republic of suffering demolishes sentimentalism for the. The civil war was an event unprecedented in american history. Byatts the childrens book im embarrassed to admit that im under halfway in and im still waiting for something to happen. May 25, 20 her book this republic of suffering examines the ways in which death on such a scale changed our nation. This republic of suffering death and the american civil war book. The republic of suffering reader at large formerly. Death and the american civil war 43008 two renowned civil war historians drew gilpin faust and david w. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read this republic of suffering. This republic of suffering quotes by drew gilpin faust. The civil war death rate was six times that of world war ii, when adjusted against the size of. Jan 09, 2008 her new book is this republic of suffering.
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