Book Review - This Republic of Suffering by Drew Gilpin Faust

As I was reading the Washington Post this morning I came across a review of This Republic of Suffering, by Drew Gilpin Faust.  It just so happens I'm about half way through the book and thought I'd post myimpressions so far.  The Washington Post review does a good job of capturing the essence of the story the author tells about death in the Civil War.  I'm not finished with it yet, but this work is unlike any I've read about this war.  Too often Civil War books are about great leaders and their tactics; battles and campaigns; politics; and all the other elements that make this time in United States history almost mythical.  What Faust actually does is show in vivid detail the dirty business of war. 

Regardless of who won or lost the battle, the author explores the aftermath - what do you do with all of the thousands of dead bodies littering the battlefield?  In our wars of today, every dead Soldier is recovered and buried with honors.  Each has a flag covered casket and a dignified funeral.  The families of each dead Soldier are assigned a Casualty Assistance Officer who guides them through the death benefit process which often can take months to settle.  As this fascinating book shows, the families of dead Civil War soldiers had none of this.  They were lucky to recover the bodies of their loved ones and many times had to go to the battlefields themselves to do it.

As I said, I'm only half way through, but I think this is a book anyone with an interest in the Civil War should read.  So far it's neither pro North or South.  It looks at the impact of of death on both sides and does a good job of balancing examples of each.  Be aware this book strips away all of the sterile notions of the glory of battles...it's about something only Soldiers really understand.  The Washington Post also had a link to another interesting article on the author - Drew Gilpin Faust