A Critique
In the book Civil War in the Ozarks, the authors, Phillip W. Steele and Steve Cottrell, describe life's perils and strategies during the Civil War in the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri. Both authors have a rich family background with the Civil War. Phillip W. Steele's family fought on the Confederate side of the war and Steve Cottrell's family fought for the Union forces. With both authors having common interest in preserving Ozark's history, they put together a historical review of the Civil War in the Ozarks. In my opinion a "Reb" and a "Yank" (respectively) getting together to write on such an event in history is remarkable. Although, I would imagine that is why the book sticks with so many facts, rather than to approach the aspects of the lives involved. The book would have been more enjoyable to read, if they had mingled a bit more of life's stories within the battle events described. According to the book, "Phillip W. Steele and Steve Cottrell have extensively researched the battles that took place between 1861 and 1865 in the writing of this book. They look at the heroes, outlaws, and peacemakers who influenced the role the Ozarks played in the War Between the States". (Back-cover) Before the Ci
This book appears to be an excellent reference source for students studying or researching the Civil War in the Ozarks. The attractive format and photos gave a structured and chronological delivery to the battles. In my opinion a different type of paper for the pages and some color photos would have improved the appearance of the book. . For instance, some of the pictures are reenactments of different battles, which could have been presented in color. (p 21, 44, 78) However, the pictures were very interesting, if some of the old black and white pictures were colored enhanced, it would have helped to create an eye appealing approach. (p 41) The authors did a dedication of the book that reads as follows: "To the memory of our ancestors and early Ozark families who fought, died, and endured the hardships of the great Civil War and the contribution they made toward building the Ozark society we enjoy today". (p5) It gave me a feeling of gratitude to the men and women that helped to lay down the foundation of our country. This country I so dearly love, The United States of America. vil War abolitionist and pro-slavery forces had been fighting in the Ozarks. This book gives a detailed account of the Civil War battles that followed this era in the Ozarks. Two of the most famous of these battles was the Battle of Pea Ridge (p 48) and the Battle of Prairie Grove (p 60). The skirmishes were more for supplies than territory. The authors touched on the history of Quantrill's Raiders and other lives of outlaws that evolved due
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Approximate Word count = 1032
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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