Un-Civil War

Gretchen Beilfuss Witt

June 24, 2013

Un-Civil War

            The Edith M. Clark History Room has a very solid collection of books pertaining to the American Civil War.  There are many resources that allow folks interested in their Confederate or Union forebears, to find the Regiment and company to which their ancestor belonged.  They can also find where the regiment was stationed during a certain campaign and what the movements of a specific company were.  We have materials on the big players of the Civil War including Born to Battle:  Grant and Forrest a look at two brilliant combatants who each became renowned for his intelligence, resourcefulness and grit.  “Stonewall” Jackson’s military career and his personal life are portrayed in books entitled Lost Victories and they married Confederate officers, the story of Anna Jackson, Stonewall’s wife and her five sisters all of whom married Confederates. 

            Many lesser known greats are in the collection as well.  Anecdotes and personal narratives from Civil War participants – soldiers and civilians alike make this frightening time come alive.  Tales from the North and the South is an anthology full of tales of compassion, bravery, betrayal and imprisonment from all sides of the war.  Junius and Albert’s Adventures in the Confederacy is an exciting tale of the escape of two newspapermen from our own Salisbury Confederate Prison and their flight to safety and the North.

            Some more specialized topics of which the average reader might be unaware are also represented in the collection.  Sharpshooters, for instance, were prevalent on both sides and instrumental in the Civil War.    Berry Benson's Civil War book: memoirs of a Confederate Scout and Sharpshooter relates the experiences of one specific marksman.  Shock Troops of the Confederacy by Fred L. Ray speaks expressly about the development of precision marksmanship in the years before the American Civil War.  He elucidates the forgotten role of the sharpshooter battalions of the Army of North Virginia in the war and in the development of modern tactics.  The book describes the participation of sharpshooters in certain battles as well as identifying specific weapons, why each was used and by whom.  For instance, Whitworth rifles appear on the ship manifests for blockade runners, but were rare in the Confederate army as they were extremely costly at $100 up to $1000 if equipped with a telescope, full kit and a thousand rounds.  Most Confederate sharpshooters used the two-band Enfield at a much more reasonable cost of $12-$25 each.

            Aldo S. Perry’s book, Civil War Courts-Martial of North Carolina Troops is a melancholy but fascinating read.  He relates the court martial and in many cases the executions of soldiers who after joining or being conscripted into the army, deserted.  Particularly amusing is the story of one deserter whose wife was made of sterner stuff.  She told him plainly that he could not live with her if he did not go back to his company and further said he would get not even a drink of water from her.  He returned to duty and survived the war.  Perry’s narrative includes the execution of two brothers who deserted in order to search for food as they were starving; upon their return a week later they discovered they had been court-martialed and sentenced to death.   Writing sanguinely to their father before sentence was carried out, one brother remarked that they must serve as an example to other soldiers.

            Pull up a chair and read a story or two about the remarkable experiences of these earlier Americans.  Who knows, they might be related!

           

What Lies Beneath These Streets

Library Notes

Amy Notarius

 

The busy streets and bustling sidewalks of major metropolitan cities can be fascinating to residents and tourists alike. But what lies beneath these streets and sidewalks is just as interesting. In Beneath the Metropolis, Alex Marshall explores these underground areas.

The systems that make civilized life above ground possible, such as subways, water and sewer systems, and utility lines, exist deep below these cities.  Yet they rarely receive public attention until something goes wrong to cause a disruption in service.  Marshall examines the systems of twelve major cites, from New York to Sydney.  Each city receives its own chapter, and each chapter begins with a cross-section illustration of the city's underground systems.  In each short, readable chapter, Marshall traces a city’s development from its earliest settlers to modern-day infrastructure.  In some cases, traces of ancient city planning can still be found in a city’s current design. Present day Rome and London, for example, reflect their early Roman origins in certain design aspects. 

Social, political, and geographical forces dictate the development of most underground systems.  It took Chicago, built on a swamp, 150 years of engineering feats, such as rerouting a river and raising the entire city a story higher, before it could provide effective water and sewer systems to its residents.  New York's huge immigration and industrialization growth in the early nineteenth century demanded a new way of providing for the mobility of its huge population. Despite the obvious need, fierce battles raged over whether a subway should be built and who would pay for it. New York's first subway opened in 1904, and today roughly five million people ride every day. 

Other underground initiatives arise because the huge cost and demand for real estate above ground force projects requiring a large amount of space to be built underground.  This is the case for the French National Library in Paris, where eleven stories sit below one of Paris's newest subway stations. Part of the British library in London now exists in an eight-story building entirely underground.   

Marshall's research includes interesting historical sketches and photos, like that of a concert taking place in a London subway station where people were forced to take shelter during WWII air raids.  It's a fascinating look at a world we depend on but rarely see.  Check it out at Rowan Public Library today. 

Amy Notarius

Traveler or Tourist

Library Notes
Rebecca Hyde

            Are you a traveler or are you a tourist?  Paul Theroux, author of “The Pillars of Hercules” and other travel books, is a committed traveler.  His trip around the coast of the Mediterranean by land and sea (never, never by air), resembles more the voyage of Odysseus, buffeted from shore to shore, rather than the measured progress of a modern-day traveler following an itinerary, with ticket and reservations in hand (and choices at a minimum).  Theroux’s travel plan is kept simple:  begin the journey at Gibraltar, stay as close to the coastline as possible, and end up in Morocco, at Ceuta, at the southern Pillar of Hercules.  His mode of transportation depends on what is available (train, bus, ferry, car, boat), and the circumstances:  an American traveling alone through sometimes “rough” country, geographically or politically.  As a Syrian in the Aleppo bazaar put it:  the “best” way to Latakia?  Did he mean the quickest, safest, most comfortable, or the cheapest? 

            Theroux is interested in confronting both his and other people’s expectations and then discovering the reality of a country.  His description is the truth as he experiences it.  It is surprising that most famous monuments along this well-traveled shoreline are given short shrift (the “theme park culture” of Greece, “that land of preposterous myths and sensational litter”).  Surprising but logical.  For Theroux, the setting matters less than the experience, just as the arrival matters less than the journey.  Place becomes a backdrop for the dramatic or the ordinary:  for example, his description of the vandalism of Albania by its people, or the tattered laundry hanging from the nave of a Crusader church in Tartus. 

            Another surprise occurs in the middle of the book, not quite the midpoint of Theroux’s travels.  H e needs an “antidote” to Albania and the tourists on Corfu.  He takes a break and joins a luxury cruise from Nice to Istanbul – a first-time experience for Theroux but not without literary precedent.  Evelyn Waugh, who hated foreign travel, was offered a free cruise.  His account was published in 1930, titled “Labels:  A Mediterranean Journal,” a parody of the Grand Tour.  Theroux takes up that book and others to point out the characteristics of the good travel book:  “The fairest way of judging travel books is by their truth and their wit.” 

           

Summer Vacations

Library Notes

Rowan Public Library

April Everett

Frizzy hair, aviator sunglasses, and farmers’ tans.  Ah, the early signs of summer.  In a few short weeks, summer will descend upon us like ants on a watermelon.  Whether you plan to take a vacation, daycation, or staycation, the library has some great resources to inspire your next summer trip.

VACATIONS

                If you are in need of a little inspiration as you plan your summer vacation, look no further than Patricia Schultz’s 1000 Places to See Before You Die, which includes the Biltmore House in Asheville and The Outer Banks along the coast of North Carolina.  Other general guides include Greg Witt’s Ultimate Adventures : A Rough Guide to Adventure Travel for the more adventurous and outdoorsy traveler; Maureen Hennessy’s How to Go Almost Anywhere for Almost Nothing for the budget conscious traveler; and Frommer's 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up for family travelers.

                Once you’ve chosen your destination, now to the fun part.  Taking any trip requires an exorbitant amount of planning.  Transportation, lodging, and food are just a few considerations.  The library has the most current copies of guidebooks for a range of locations both in- and outside the United States.  Fodor’s, DK Eyewitness Travel, and Lonely Planet are the three most commonly found types of guidebooks in the library.  Fodor’s full-color guidebooks are by far my favorite, as they break down a destination by region, city, and neighborhood.  They include possible itineraries for various lengths of stay, and often give driving, public transportation, and walking directions.  Contact information is included for each location reviewed, and concise “pros” and “cons” are noted for each lodging accommodation listed.  Also included are sections for “Offbeat” attractions like little-known restaurants, parks, and museums; kid-friendly attractions; and free/almost free things to do.

                Lonely Planet and DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are also worth mentioning, as each has unique attributes.  While Lonely Planet guidebooks are not full-color, they do offer the essentials including suggested itineraries, detailed maps, and lodging and dining information.  They also encourage reader feedback and offer a free guidebook for the best contributions.  They also donate a percentage of proceeds from sales to aid projects, human rights campaigns, and wildlife conservation.  DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are extremely colorful and offer a variety of maps, charts, and images to help you plan your days.  The guide provides an overview of the location’s main attractions, specific excursions surrounding the location, and a survival guide with advice on everything from personal security to using public transportation.  One seemingly small yet incredibly helpful feature is a key to symbols that appears on the inside flap of the back cover; no flipping back and forth to try to figure out what the hand symbol means!

DAYCATIONS

                If you’re sticking closer to home this summer, the library also has a variety of guides for exploring the Tarheel State.  Compass American Guides North Carolina by Sheila Turnage provides information about scenic drives, Civil War sights, arts and crafts hotspots, and restaurants across North Carolina.  If you want to shy away from tourist destinations, try Sara Pitzer’s Off the Beaten Path North Carolina: A Guide to Unique Places.  Plan a picnic at Morrow Mountain and catch a double-feature at nearby Badin Road Drive-In Theater or go zip-lining along Richland Creek in Albemarle.  Jerry Bledsoe’s North Carolina Curiosities is an oldie but a goodie, and features quirky sights and festivities including the World’s Largest Coffee Pot in Winston Salem and the Hog Day festival in Hillsborough.  We also have a number of hiking, scenic driving, and biking guides for North Carolina as well.

STAYCATIONS

                The Visitor’s Bureau in Salisbury (www.visitsalisburync.com) has a wealth of information about things to do in Rowan County and surrounding areas.  Tour Patterson Farms; hike at Dan Nicholas Park, Dunn’s Mountain Park, or Eagle Point Nature Preserve; picnic at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park; or play a game of disc golf at Kelsey Scott Park.  Maps and brochures are available at the Visitor’s Bureau and the library.

                Whatever your destination, the library is happy to help you plan your next summer trip.  We’re even offering a free computer class on how to set up a blog so you can post pictures and keep family and friends up to date on all your summer fun.  Call April at 704-216-8229 for class times or for more information.

Longing for Hope

Library Notes

Rowan Public Library

John Tucker

Longing for Hope

            Emily Dickinson wrote a poem titled Hope is the thing with feathers.  In it she contemplates the presence and communication of hope, which at times may become overshadowed by the darkness of the day.  In recent days, hope has been difficult to find in the newspapers, but a person may be encouraged through a variety of books from the public library. 

            Some people find hope in traveling to new places.  You could check out “The Best of the Appalachian Trail” series by Victoria and Frank Logue.  The two-book series offers information on the best overnight hikes and day trips, many of which are local outings for North Carolinians.  Should you prefer a beach setting, pick up the Insiders Guide “NC’s Southern Coast & Wilmington,” where you will find information to support your hopes for the “salt life.” Everything, except sand, is included from restaurants and attractions to maps and day trips.

            Others prefer to seek peace and hope in the presence of waterfalls.  You may want to pick up the book “Waterfalls of South Carolina” by Benjamin Brooks and Tim Cook.  There are thirty-one falls in all, many straddle the North and South Carolina border.  Such serene locations are sure to beckon forth “hope, the thing with feathers that perches in the soul…” as penned by Emily Dickinson.  When we cannot travel to see a waterfall, the illustrations of this text have captured some of the majestic visual cascading details.  If you require the audio soundtrack, run the bathtub and turn up the volume, but leave the book in the safety of the hallway.

            For others hope is found in the human heart and communicated through song.  Be sure to persue the library’s collection of books on songs and theater.  The story “How Can We Keep From Singing” written by Joan Oliver Goldsmith is but one suggestion.  This book is an encounter with the hopes, joys, and harmonies of making music together in a choir, chorus, or ensemble.  One might be in a leadership role with their singing, yet they are a follower of the conductor and musical score.  When we can’t keep from singing, we are embracing our creative spirit through a median that brings hope to others.

            If you like your music more recently recorded and Hip-Hop, your eyes and ears can rap to the essays about musicians of today.  The book “Best Music Writing 2011“ edited by Alex Ross and Daphne Carr features essays about musicians including: Vanessa Grigoriadis (Lady Gaga), Jay-Z, and Will.i.am who performed at the presidential inauguration.  Will.i.am said the hardest emotion to portray is joy.  “Joy is complex.  It’s somber, sad, happy, heartbroken and hopeful—it’s all these emotions in one.”  So to is hope.  It is complex and personally inspiring.

“I Gotta Feeling about this one”, said Will.i.am.

            As for me and my household, hope is found in the canonical writings of our religious practice.  And whatever your practice, the library has books for: interpretation, study, reflection and living out such teachings and wisdom.  No matter what your religious  practice, whether your scripture is the: Torah, Bible or Koran, the sacred writings provide hope to the believers.  These sacred books and study resources are available from the library.  Engage your mind with the written words of hope that speak to your lifestyle and tradition.

            When the news around us seems filled with despair from disasters, both natural and manmade, resources for hopeful diversions as well as hope inspiring wisdom are at your fingertips, and around the corner at the Rowan Public Library.