The Journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union Soldier

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not. ( )

it was a good book. James was in a war.he got hit by a gun shell. ( )

James Edmond, a sixteen-year-old orphan, keeps a journal of his experiences and those of "G" Company which he joined as a volunteer in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Reviewed Jan 2007

The Civil War will be my focus for the next 5 months, so I plan on reading everything I can about the era. Hopefully everything will sink with each other. Besides the fact that James Pease wrote far to well and too detailed his story seems accurate. I noticed this right away when he mentions not being able to sleep before a battle. The story of Jame seeing a dead Reb leaning against a tree that was about his same age and appearance was very real and thoughtful. I can see how the horrors could all be forgotten but one image can haunt you. I'm glad that the author chose to use the "n" word at least once but waited till nearly the end of the book when the reader is already hooked. Readers should know that this word as well as the beatings were common. I'm sure the author put lots of thought into its placement.

1-2007 ( )