Testament: A Soldier's Story of the Civil War

by Benson Bobrick and Benjamin Webb Baker

Book Overview

The story of the author's great-grandfather's Civil War experience, based on a remarkable set of newly discoverd letters--a powerful, moving addition to the firsthand soldiers' accounts of the Civil War.

Dear Mother,
I was very glad to hear from home this morning. It is the first time since I left Otterville. We marched from Sedalia 120 miles....I almost feel anxious to be in a battle & yet I am almost afraid. I feel very brave...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074325113X
• ISBN13: 9780743251136
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 277 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Awesome presentation of American Civil War

I am a Civil War reenactor and as such am always looking for books on the Civil War period. This book blew me away. It presented the CW in fairly complete chronology and at the same time followed one soldier, using his actual correspondance, as he walks over 3200 miles in less than 4 years. After reading the copy I had borrowed from the local library, I ordered it to keep on my Civil War shelf.

Testament: A Soldier's Story of the Civil War

Of the many books published on the Civil War, "Testament" rises above the others. From the first chapter on, the reader is transported back in time and place. The uniqueness of presenting this story using the the diary of a soldier is simply spellbinding. The words from this soldier's diary are intricately woven with narrative so descript and vivid one can truly understand all that a war encompasses. The emotion that pours from the pages is overpowering. The soldier's sense of duty and honor countered by his fear of war's consequences is conveyed so realistically, the reader can not help but feel the internal conflict of morality just as he did. Beautifully written and timeless in nature, this book is a must read for civil war buffs - and - for anyone wanting an understanding of the horrors of war.

Wonderful letters and look at the everyday soldier

I enjoyed the letters in this book thoroughly. It is a marvelous collection that explore everything from the mundane to the horror of battle to the deep feelings for family and country. Bobrick set the stage for the letters well and gave a wonderful account of this man's life. I did think that his history lesson was a little overdone and assumed that readers would know absolutely nothing about the Civil War or the conflicts that led up to it. This took away slightly as I was anxious to get back to the "story" during these lessons. But this does nothing to dim the eloquence of the letters themselves. They are particularly poignant as we have young men and women in harm's way again today. You can't help but draw parallels as you read. This book is truly a Testament.

Testament is a record of valor

Testament: A Soldier's Story of the Civil War by Benson Bobrick is one of the most insightful contributions to the ever growing body of work devoted to this war. There are other first hand accounts of combat and general living conditions faced by soldiers of both sides....far too many to elaborate here. However, there is something touching almost beyond words about the letters young Benjamin "Webb" Baker wrote his mother.Benson Bobrick does a good job in weaving Webb's (Bobrick's great-grandfather) letters into a coherent narrative about the war. The narrative covers Webb's entire enlistment period from 1861 to his discharge in 1864. Civil War buffs will recognize the battles included: Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone's River, Chickamauga, and finally the Atlanta victory. Perhaps of equal value are the letters themselves, neatly placed into an appendix at the end of the book...each included in their entirety for the casual reader to pour over and ponder.Its all here, the descriptions of battle, of camp life, of marching,...insights into the officers that lead these men, and a general view of the times. The letters read true as anyone who has served in the military will recognize. Red tape is red tape no matter the century.I encourage Civil War buffs to read Testament. If you haven't read much on the Civil War then this is a good book to start with.