
Copperhead Gore
Benjamin Wood's Fort Lafayette and Civil War America
Menahem Blondheim(Editor)
Indiana University Press
Published on 10. May 2006
Book
Hardback
277 pages
978-0-253-34737-4 (ISBN)
Description
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin has often been cited for its galvanizing effect on anti-slavery opposition in the years before the American Civil War. Southern sympathizers in the North (known as Copperheads) never came close to producing anything that matched its influence. One of the more interesting attempts was Fort Lafayette; or, Love and Secession (1862). The novel-which features liberal doses of love and lust, intrigue and violence, loyalty and death-is by no means great literature. It does, however, lay claim to being the only pacifist novel of the Civil War. Wood hoped to persuade his readers of the moral wrong, the folly, and the dangers to republican government of the war in which the country was engaged. The novel underscores the deep connections between Americans on both sides of the sectional conflict, the pain of their severance, and the suffering brought about by war.
For this reissue, Menahem Blondheim has provided a detailed introduction to the novel, the politics of the era, and Wood's life and career. Two of Wood's Congressional speeches are also included.
For this reissue, Menahem Blondheim has provided a detailed introduction to the novel, the politics of the era, and Wood's life and career. Two of Wood's Congressional speeches are also included.
Reviews / Votes
"...a stimulating, well-done book." -IndianaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
1 index
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-253-34737-4 (9780253347374)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Benjamin Wood (1820-1900) was a Kentucky-born politician and newspaperman. During the war, Wood edited what was then a leading anti-war newspaper, the New York Daily News, and also served in Congress, making several memorable anti-war speeches. Wood's journalistic and political wartime careers were dedicated to mobilizing Northerners to the cause of peace.
Menahem Blondheim is a member of the departments of American Studies and Communication at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and serves as the director of the University's Smart Family Institute of Communications.
Menahem Blondheim is a member of the departments of American Studies and Communication at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and serves as the director of the University's Smart Family Institute of Communications.
Content
Preface
Introduction
Fort Lafayette; or, Love and Secession by Benjamin Wood
Appendix 1. Speech 1: The Congressional Globe, May 16, 1862, "State of the Union," Benjamin Wood
Appendix 2. Speech 2: Restoration of Peace: On the proposition for a general convention to devise measures for the restoration of peace to our country, House of Representatives, February 27, 1863, Benjamin Wood
Introduction
Fort Lafayette; or, Love and Secession by Benjamin Wood
Appendix 1. Speech 1: The Congressional Globe, May 16, 1862, "State of the Union," Benjamin Wood
Appendix 2. Speech 2: Restoration of Peace: On the proposition for a general convention to devise measures for the restoration of peace to our country, House of Representatives, February 27, 1863, Benjamin Wood