Confederates in the Attic

Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz is an engaging narrative that delves deep into the enduring legacy of the American Civil War. This national bestseller follows Horwitz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent, who takes readers on an explosive adventure through the American South. With a keen eye for detail, Horwitz explores how Civil War reenactors, battlefield tourists, and history enthusiasts keep the memory of the Confederacy alive. He artfully blends historical commentary with contemporary social insights, demonstrating how the past continues to shape the present.

The journey begins when Horwitz relocates to a serene corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains, hoping to escape the warzones of Bosnia and the Middle East. However, he soon finds himself drawn back into the fray, this time exploring the battlefields on American soil. Awoken by the crackle of musket fire one morning, his childhood fascination with the Civil War reignites, prompting a quest to understand the intricate and often controversial ways people commemorate the conflict.

Horwitz's travels take him through ten Southern states, where he uncovers a tapestry of stories and characters that bring history to life. In Virginia, he meets 'hardcore' reenactors who go to extreme lengths to accurately portray Confederate soldiers, even crash-dieting to achieve an authentic, emaciated appearance. In Kentucky, he witnesses the disturbing reality of Klan rallies and racially charged violence, highlighting the ongoing tensions rooted in the Civil War's legacy.

His odyssey leads him to Andersonville, where he explores the controversial legacy of a Confederate prison and its commander, who is both vilified as a war criminal and venerated as a martyr. The journey culminates in a marathon trek from Antietam to Gettysburg to Appomattox, alongside Robert Lee Hodge, an eccentric Civil War enthusiast. Hodge dubs their epic adventure the 'Civil Wargasm,' a term that encapsulates their intense and often surreal experiences.

Written with Horwitz's signature blend of humour, historical insight, and incisive journalism, Confederates in the Attic breathes new life into old battlefields and illuminates the ways in which they intersect with modern American life. Through vivid descriptions and keen observations, Horwitz reveals the complicated relationships that Americans—especially Southerners—have with their past. He visits classrooms where Civil War history is taught, courtrooms where battles over historical interpretation are fought, and country bars where age-old debates rage on.

This compelling work appeals to a wide audience, from history buffs and students of racial conflict to those simply curious about the enduring impact of the Civil War. Horwitz’s travels offer a nuanced, sometimes humorous, and always thought-provoking perspective on how one of America’s most seminal events continues to reverberate through the collective consciousness of the South.