Introducing the Civil War Memory Book Group and a New Film About Stone Mountain
I’ve been wanting to do this for quite some time. Here is how it will work. The plan is to get together online once every other month to discuss a book, article or even a film. I will send out the invitations to join the discussion over Zoom, which seems to me as good as any platform for just such a purpose. We will work out the protocols for how the discussion will work at our first meeting.
The first title up for discussion is Clint Smith’s book, How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, which has just been released in paperback. I can’t think of a better book with which to kick things off.
How the Word is Passed documents the author’s travels across the country to explore how historic sites interpret or fail to interpret the history and legacy of slavery. The book is beautifully written. Every page brims with insightful observations. It is both a reflection of the nation’s current reckoning over the history and legacy of slavery as well as an argument as to why this work is necessary right now.
I had the pleasure of reading and commenting on the book in manuscript form since it covers areas in which I’ve researched and published. I will not soon forget the day that I spent online with a wonderful group of historians sharing our thoughts with Clint and answering his questions.
I couldn’t be more thrilled with the success of this book. It is well deserved and I have no doubt that you will enjoy reading it.
Right now I am looking at the last half of March for this first meeting. I will likely schedule it for a Sunday evening around 7 or 8PM and it will last for roughly one hour. Please keep in mind that only paid subscribers will be able to take part. I hope you will consider upgrading.
[Let me know if you have any questions/comments. The comments section below is open to everyone.]
Stone Mountain
The Atlanta History Center has released its long-awaited documentary about the history of Stone Mountain. This is one of the most controversial sites in the country owing to the massive Confederate sculpture of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis.
The film covers both the long history of the events that led to the project’s conception in the early twentieth century through to its completion in the 1970s as well as the current controversy surrounding whether it should be removed.
There are no immediate plans to remove the monument. In fact, work continues to reinterpret the site through a new museum and educational facility. As I have recently pointed out, this project has great potential, but there are numerous challenges that need to be faced if this has any chance of success. Time will tell.
I also encourage you to check out the Atlanta History Center’s website for additional resources related to the story of Stone Mountain. Teachers will most certainly be able to make use of the primary sources that are included.
Thanks to the AHC for taking on this important project.
His first chapter on his visit to Monticello is astounding. He somehow captured the overall feel of the place, how visitors react, how guides get their points across, and how slavery interpretation has evolved. I bought a few copies to give to relatives and friends because I thought no other author had caught the essence of what being a guide was like.
EXCELLENT!! I have had this book on my ridiculously large TBR pile since it was published. This will help me move it to the top. Can’t wait!