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.
James Marten is associate professor of history at Marquette University.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction: "The Great Importance of Little Things" Chapter 2 Chats with Readers "Round the Evening Lamp": Creating a Literary Community Chapter 3 Patriotism and Perseverance: Oliver Optic's Civil War Chapter 4 Playgrounds into Paradegrounds: Civil War Children at Play Chapter 5 The Roll Call of the Brave: Loss and Sacrifice Chapter 6 "Som Day I Shall Be with You Again": Children and Soldiers Chapter 7 Home Guards: Virtue and the War Effort Chapter 8 Times of Wretchedness and Brighter Days: Magazines for Southern Children Chapter 9 "Joy for the Conquering Right": Mourning and Celebrating the End of the War Chapter 10 Epilogue: "This Cruel War"
