Sunday, October 25, 2009

Listening to the 'The March' on CD

I'm in the middle of a long drive from Texas to Durham, N.C., and then back home to Atlanta.

We're been listening to the audio version of E.L. Doctorow's novel "The March." The book, published a few years ago, is a compelling account of Gen. Sherman's March to the Sea.

The story is told through the ideas of turncoat soldiers, freed slaves and a populace who saw their way of life go up in smoke, literally.

The portrayal of Sherman is interesting. This, from a New York Times review: "True to this rather minimizing metaphor, Doctorow doesn't spend much energy probing Sherman's inner self or itemizing his thoughts and feelings. Instead, he sets Sherman's body on a horse, gives him a broadly recognizable face and a head full of practical military wisdom, and sends him off into the story to wreak havoc as befits his temperament and training."

I'm about a third of the way through. the book. The audio has made me think about the people who went through all of this 145 years ago next month. So far, I heartily recommend "The March."

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