THIS MIGHTY SCOURGE Perspectives on the Civil War

The book's common thread wraps around the Civil War, and arises from a compilation of 16 essays with related perspectives. Since the audio doesn't explain this theme, avoidable confusion results. The characters include Harriet Tubman, James Brown, and Jesse James, as well as numerous generals and politicians. Narrator Barrett Whitener doesn't create unique voices for them, but rather inflects his speech slightly or adds a quick pause to indicate it's not the author talking. Because of the lack of historical organization, Whitener's taciturn narration establishes and maintains the primary focus for listeners' attention. With no maps, no pictures, and no background for the many battles, beginners to this period of U.S. history may falter in listening to this. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2009]