Lessons of War

The Civil War in Children's Magazines

Edited by James Marten

Not available to order

Publication date:

01 November 1998

Length of book:

259 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9780842026543

While information regarding children and their outlook on the war is not abun-dant, James Marten, through extensive research, has uncovered essays, editorials, articles, poems, games, short stories and letters that tell the story of the Civil War through the eyes of children.

Lessons of War: The Civil War in Children's Magazines is a collection of such items, gathered from popular children's magazines that were published during this era. The selections in Lessons of War demonstrate the depth of children's involve-ment in the war, from raising funds for soldiers to incorporating the war into their play activities and eagerly accepting northern political attitudes.

The era's leading children's magazines, such as The Little Pilgrim, The Little Corporal, and Student and Schoolmate, used first-person accounts to let the children of the Civil War tell their own stories. Marten's commentary illuminates the vision of the Union war effort presented to children as the nation waged war against itself. Sure to enlighten both scholars and students, Lessons of War is a valuable addition to courses on the Civil War and American social and cultural history.

Lessons of War is a must read for anyone with even the slightest inclination to understand and appreciate our history... James Marten has honored us with unique research that brings, to one volume, the special, necessary attention given to children by writers and publishers during the years of the war.