- Paperback: 200 pages
- Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press; New edition edition (31 Mar 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 155849202X
- ISBN-13: 978-1558492028
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.3 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,799,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Here is a vivid, unforgettable portrait of the Civil War as seen through the eloquent letters written by a black soldier in the Massachusetts 54th Regiment--the renowned regiment featured in the highly-acclaimed movie Glory. Gooding's shrewd, witty and opinionated observations of military life and the conduct of war is irresistible.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
"On the Altar of Freedom" was an interesting book in that it compiled the letters sent to a newspaper by Corporal James Gooding of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry (the "Glory" outfit). By reading the letters (ie the book), one can get a view of Civil War life from the view of a black Union soldier. The major drawback to the work is that Gooding was sending the letters to the newspaper for the express purpose of them being published. What would have been more interesting would have been to see his private (if any) correspondence. That way the reader would have been able to see the private man. This book is also an interesting read because of the mention of unapolgetic black CSA sharpshooters being captured by Union forces outside Fort Wagner.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Interesting Slice of the Civil War
22 Mar 1999
Format:Paperback
"On the Altar of Freedom" was an interesting book in that it compiled the letters sent to a newspaper by Corporal James Gooding of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry (the "Glory" outfit). By reading the letters (ie the book), one can get a view of Civil War life from the view of a black Union soldier. The major drawback to the work is that Gooding was sending the letters to the newspaper for the express purpose of them being published. What would have been more interesting would have been to see his private (if any) correspondence. That way the reader would have been able to see the private man. This book is also an interesting read because of the mention of unapolgetic black CSA sharpshooters being captured by Union forces outside Fort Wagner.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Letters from James G. of the 54th Mass
9 Aug 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the story of a Black soldiar, James Henry Gooding of the 54th Mass Infantry, who writes letters of his experiences during the Civil War.
What a wonderful way to see through his eyes back to a time when we could try but never be able to imagine what these men lived through.
He describes life in the camp as they drilled under the watchful eye of Col. Robert G, Shaw, "who detects anything out of keeping with order or military discipline."
Goodings describes life in the camps and there are the inevitable battles, as well as his comments on the New York Draft riots. Included is his letter to President Lincoln regarding the pay for Black soldiers.
Corporal Gooding was killed at the battle of Olustee Station, Florida, on February 20, 1864. His letters provide a rich legacy for those of us who have a real interest in the Civil War.
What a wonderful way to see through his eyes back to a time when we could try but never be able to imagine what these men lived through.
He describes life in the camp as they drilled under the watchful eye of Col. Robert G, Shaw, "who detects anything out of keeping with order or military discipline."
Goodings describes life in the camps and there are the inevitable battles, as well as his comments on the New York Draft riots. Included is his letter to President Lincoln regarding the pay for Black soldiers.
Corporal Gooding was killed at the battle of Olustee Station, Florida, on February 20, 1864. His letters provide a rich legacy for those of us who have a real interest in the Civil War.
A Look at the War From a Different Perspective
17 May 2012
Format:Paperback
This was a look at the American Civil War from the viewpoint of an African American soldier serving in the Northern Army, in the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. It offers a viewpoint of the War, not normally written about.
One of the most fascinating parts about this book, is the armed African American Confederate soldiers, who were captured on Morris Island, SC.
What makes this more interesting is that Pulitzer Prize winner, James M. McPherson, who attacked author Joy Masoff, for including black Confederates in her book, "Our Virginia: Past and Present," wrote the Foreword for this book and therefore knew that blacks fought for the South before he criticized her in a Washington Post article.
One of the most fascinating parts about this book, is the armed African American Confederate soldiers, who were captured on Morris Island, SC.
What makes this more interesting is that Pulitzer Prize winner, James M. McPherson, who attacked author Joy Masoff, for including black Confederates in her book, "Our Virginia: Past and Present," wrote the Foreword for this book and therefore knew that blacks fought for the South before he criticized her in a Washington Post article.
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