In Confederates in the Attic, journalist Tony Horwitz explores his fascination with the American Civil War by traveling through the Southern United States, visiting battlefields, museums, and monuments, and interviewing the locals. The book presents a nuanced exploration of Southern culture through diverse voices, highlighting themes like nostalgia, heritage, and racial tension without reaching definitive conclusions. Topics addressed in the book include racism and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

Tony Horwitz's Confederates In The Attic is praised for its insightful exploration of Civil War memory in contemporary America, blending historical analysis with engaging personal anecdotes. Readers appreciate Horwitz’s humor and narrative style but some criticize the book for an occasional lack of depth in its portrayal of sensitive topics. Ideal for history buffs.

Readers of Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz will enjoy an engaging blend of American history and cultural exploration. Ideal for fans of books like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Hillbilly Elegy, it appeals to those interested in Civil War legacies, Southern identity, and insightful reportage.

Informative / Mysterious / Contemplative / Nostalgic / Dark

- Tony Horwitz’s Confederates In The Attic was published in 1998 and became a bestseller, offering a compelling mix of travelogue, history, and cultural analysis.
- The book explores the ongoing influence of the Civil War on modern America, shedding light on how deeply the conflict still resonates in the Southern states.
- Confederates In The Attic received widespread acclaim and won the 1999 Ambassador Book Award for American Studies.

**Tony Horwitz**  
A Northerner who embarks on a journey to the South to explore his childhood passion for the Civil War and conducts interviews that shed light on regional beliefs and customs.

**Robert Lee Hodge**  
A dedicated Civil War re-enactor with Northern roots and Southern connections, who offers Horwitz insights into the world of re-enactments and holds a nuanced view of the Confederacy.

**Michael Westerman**  
A 19-year-old white man from Kentucky whose death during a racial incident becomes a focal point for understanding ongoing racial tensions in the South.

**Shelby Foote**  
A celebrated novelist and Civil War historian from Mississippi, known for his deep, sometimes contradictory perspectives on Southern history and identity.

**Robert E. Lee**  
The esteemed Confederate general known for his leadership during the Civil War and efforts towards reconciliation after the conflict.

**Stonewall Jackson**  
A renowned Confederate general whose military prowess earned him fame, particularly noted for his role in the First Battle of Bull Run and his untimely death in 1863.

**Nathan Bedford Forrest**  
A Confederate cavalry lieutenant general known for his military tactics and controversial role as the first Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

Tony Horwitz

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Chapter 15 Confederates In The Attic Chapter 15 Summary & Analysis

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Confederates In The Attic: Dispatches From The Unfinished Civil War

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