Any student of the American Civil war knows about the Union loyalists in areas of Virginia (that section that became West Virginia) and East Tennessee, but it is often overlooked that there was also strong Confederate opposition in the Deep South – right in Jefferson Davis’ backyard. The intense struggles that took place in and around Jones County, MS led people to refer to the county as “…seceding from the Confederacy…” and helped create reference to “The Free State of Jones.”This book provides an in-depth account of the “Union guerrilla” exploits of Newton Knight and his fellow Southern Unionists in post-Vicksburg Mississippi as they opposed not only the Confederate army but also the class and racial segregation of the times. A gritty, no-nonsense account that reads like a novel; relating the passion of the participants and painting mental images that continually draw the reader in. Accounts are graphic and vivid, conveying the true horror of the war and its aftermath on soldiers and civilians alike. An amazing book, and very complete in presenting the many facets of the u.s. civil war. Not only do the authors make their case for understanding the southern unionists movement, but really show the class struggle, racial division, and military strategy that envelopes both sides of the war. In depth, in its vision and very accurate in its reporting. Its amazing how naysayers want to always belittle the situation as it was, because these same naysayers don't want to admit that things aren't as they appear, even when you do have a little education albeit the history that the particular culture or government wants you to believe rather than accepting the truth for what it was and really is. You do have to have a stomach for the information presented but, then of course all history is not peaceful and loving. A great exposure of the Southern Unionists, and a great position of truly understanding factors that led to the "lost war" theory of the confederacy but more important the South's place in history in modern times. Shows that their is still much too learn about Southern culture, and why conservative values are still idolized.
What do You think about The State Of Jones (2009)?
Recommended by Sterlo, not that great, but did learn a little history.
—sunhi
