LS 5663 Module 4: Social Studies Poetry

The Brothers' War: Civil War Voices in Verse

Lewis, J. Patrick. 2007. THE BROTHERS' WAR: CIVIL WAR VOICES IN VERSE. Washington, D.C: National Geographic. Photographs by Civil War Photographers. ISBN 978-1-4263-0036-3

Review: 

J. Patrick Lewis has created a visually and intellectually stimulating book with THE BROTHERS' WAR. Written in black and gold with actual Civil War photographs, Lewis' poetry is perfectly complemented. The poems are written in varying styles, from free verse to sonnets inspired by letters written to and from the soldiers.

Each of the eleven poems is presented on a two-page spread with it's accompanying period photograph. While the photographs are perfect examples of primary sources, many are shocking in their brutal honesty.

Lewis also included a Civil War map, time line of selected events, photography notes, author's note, and a bibliography. At the bottom of each poem, Lewis gives readers historical background to enhance understanding of the events of the war.

Highlighted Poem:

I Can Make Georgia Howl

(William Tecumseh Sherman on his March to the Sea, November 15 - December 21, 1864)

From Atlanta to Savannah

In a winter month or more

Was a march called devastation 

Like they'd never seen before.

They called it a destruction

Razed by sixty-thousand blues

To the city of Savannah--

Righteousness's wrecking crews.

Though my tactics were in question,

And I mapped a rugged route, 

No one second-guessed the outcome

'Cause it never was in doubt.

Oh, we robbed and burned and pillaged

As we gathered what we must

For the journey to the water

And we left behind disgust.

So Savannah was a Christmas gift

To Lincoln, thanks to me,

And a nail in the coffin of 

Surrender, General Lee.

Possible Uses: 

Teachers can use THE BROTHERS' WAR as an introduction to the Civil War. 
Teachers could use the above poem, "I Can Make Georgia Howl", as an introduction to a study of William Tecumseh Sherman and his march. 

Using this poem would also instigate a study of quotes by Sherman, such as "I intend to make Georgia howl." and "It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell."
These and other quotes can be found at www.thinkexist.com.