Originally published in the june 2008 issue of american history. I suggest that republic of suffering is a failure because its premise is a failure. It describes, in numbing detail, the lived experience of americans with the carnage of the civil war. An equivalent proportion of todays population would be six million.
Death created the modern american union, she writes, not just by ensuring national survival, but by shaping enduring national structures and. Death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust this article was originally published on and is republished here with their permission. If you read only one book on the civil war this year, make it this one. This republic of suffering audiobook by drew gilpin. 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. During her tenure there, she published this book, which was a finalist for both the pulitzer prize and the national book award. Contemporary photographs illustrate human bodies rotting on battlefields. The civil war death rate was six times that of world war ii, when. Jan 09, 2008 her new book is this republic of suffering. 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 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. Republic of suffering isnt a religious history, but it is certainly a book about the self. This republic of suffering by drew gilpin faust books on. The focus of the book is briefly stated at the outset page xv. This republic of suffering vintage civil war library. This republic of suffering quotes by drew gilpin faust. 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. Byatts the childrens book im embarrassed to admit that im under halfway in and im still waiting for something to happen. Death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust published by vintage 2008 368 pages. This republic of suffering, by drew gilpin faust southern. The book shows how people of this time dealt with death and how the death of. This republic of suffering has received a great deal of attention, which it clearly deserves.
Reviewed by daniel james sundahl the preface to drew gilpin fausts this republic of suffering begins with a pointed sentence. Ebook this republic of suffering as pdf download portable. Praise for drew gilpin fausts this republic of suffering extraordinary. Death and the american civil war there is a whole industry devoted the production and distribution of books about the american civil war. This republic of suffering is a strange book, at once bloody and bloodless. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. True in any and all circumstances, including driving to work in the morning or returning home in the evening. This was a fantastic book, though sometimes hard to stomach. This republic of suffering demolishes sentimentalism for the. Drew gilpin faust, the president of harvard, has written an extraordinary new book about the enormous loss of human life in the civil war. 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. The lasting but littleunderstood impact of all that sacrifice is the subject of drew gilpin fausts extraordinary new book, this republic of suffering. An illuminating study of the american struggle to compr. The powerful democratic impulses of the war forced a reexamination of the neglect of the dead that was assumed and regularized in.
Jan 10, 2008 a moving work of social history, detailing how the civil war changed perceptions and behaviors about death. 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. 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. The civil war was an event unprecedented in american history. 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. 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. 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 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. This book was one of the most read civil war studies of the last two decades. This republic of suffering drew gilpin fausts perspective on the civil war is a must read for anyone who loves history and understands how our past shapes our present. I wish i could say something more exciting than this but im working my way through a. The civil war death rate was six times that of world war ii, when adjusted against the size of. Drew gilpin fasts book, this republic of suffering, covers something much more personal.
This republic of suffering audiobook listen instantly. This republic of suffering death and the american civil war book. What most americans came to believe about the self was. This republic of suffering this republic of suffering audiobook, by drew gilpin faust. The author does not forget to mention the estimated 1. In the end one can only conclude, as the author does, that the meaning of the. Near the conclusion of the book, faust observes a particular dilemma at the core of trying to understand the deaths. This republic of suffering explores the impact of this enormous death toll from every angle. Eleven of us showed up wednesday night, a relatively small showing, to discuss this republic of suffering. This republic of suffering npr coverage of this republic of suffering. 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. Driving our cars, however, is unlike confederate and union soldiers gathered.
Posts about the republic of suffering written by tolmsted. Drew gilpin faust delineates the ways death changed not. This republic of suffering book johnson county library. As faust makes clear, the scope of the carnage was sweeping. This book won both the bancroft prize and the american history book prize in 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.
This republic of suffering book hillsborough county. Pdf this republic of suffering download full pdf book. A moving work of social history, detailing how the civil war changed perceptions and behaviors about death. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read this republic of suffering. The civil war death rate was six times that of world war ii, when adjusted against the size of the american population.
Death and the american civil war, in which she explores the impact of the death toll of approximately 620,000 soldier during the. 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. The number of soldiers who died in the civil war, about 620,000, equals those felled from the american. 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. Harvard president and historian faust mothers of invention. Women of the slaveholding south in the american civil war, 1996, etc. In the end one can only conclude, as the author does, that the meaning of the civil war lies in death itself. Analysis of the book this republic of suffering 2109. The work includes numerous stories of individual soldiers and their families, and descriptions of battle tactics with an emphasis on gettysburg. The tremendous change that swept the united states due to the horrendous number of war dead. This republic of suffering book the kansas city public. The republic of suffering reader at large formerly.
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. 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. 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. Death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust 5,540 ratings, 4. Jan 08, 2008 this republic of suffering ebook written by drew gilpin faust. 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.
Most civil war books are about great battles and specific generals. During the war, approximately 620,000 soldiers lost their lives. 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. In this republic of suffering, drew gilpin faust reveals the ways that death on such a scale changed. Newsweek a shattering history of the war, focusing exclusively on death and dyinghow americans prepared. Abraham lincoln and walt whitman receive special attention. This republic of suffering analysis 2109 words cram. Assesses the impact of the enormous carnage of the civil war on every aspect of american life from a material. Reading this book was as painful as an untreated leg amputation. Published shortly before the sesquicentennial, it was widely.
The number of soldiers who died in the civil war, about 620,000, equals those felled from the. Death and the american civil war 43008 two renowned civil war historians drew gilpin faust and david w. May 25, 20 her book this republic of suffering examines the ways in which death on such a scale changed our nation. During the civil war, 620,000 soldiers lost their livesequivalent to six million in todays population. Death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust. 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. Newsweek a shattering history of the war, focusing exclusively on death and dyinghow americans prepared for.