In this series, Dr. Taylor Hagood will explore the American Civil War through the perspectives of literary writers. From Mary Boykin Chesnut's behind-the-scenes political insights to Ambrose Bierce's first-hand battle accounts and Stephen Crane's vivid imaginings, this program delves into the minds of those most affected by the war. It also revisits later interpretations by Evelyn Scott, William Faulkner, Michael Shaara, and Natasha Tretheway. Major causes, battles, and weaponry will be discussed, bringing this transformative moment in American history to life. Blending history and fiction, Dr. Hagood will highlight how the Civil War tested democracy, unity, and human rights. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Dr. Hagood is one of the most knowledgeable, versatile, clever, upbeat, and attention-holding professors I have ever had.” - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Eyewitnesses: Mary Boykin Chesnut recorded her personal war experience from the home front in her famous diary, while Ambrose Bierce wrote tales based on his service in the Federal Army.

2. The War Belongs to All: The Civil War profoundly affected the generation immediately after it, and Stephen Crane famously captured that perspective on the conflict.

3. The War Continues: A forgotten but major Civil War book is Evelyn Scott's "The Wave"; she played a role in introducing Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner, who wrote powerfully of the war from a grandchild's viewpoint.

4. Latter-Day Perspectives: Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels" breathes new life into a classic battle, and Natasha Tretheway considers race and combat from an often-ignored angle.