Civil War Artist [Hardcover]

Taylor Morrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 1999 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

William Forbes arrived in New York in 1861 anxious to begin a career as an artist. Unable to find other work, he signed on with Burton's Illustrated News to sketch the battles of the Civil War. In a time when photographic images could not be reproduced in newspapers, the quickest and most practical means of documenting events was for artists to do sketches in the field. This meant that in times of war, they had to go right onto the battlefields and into the trenches alongside the soldiers. Appealing to young artists and history buffs alike, Taylor Morrison's stunning artwork and detailed text bring this fascinating time to life. This historical account of early news reporting takes readers from the first stages of the artist's battlefield sketches to the final printed newspaper page. This is a realistic portrayal that for many young readers will likely spark an interest in our country's Civil War and in history in general.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-This historically accurate account of a fictional sketch artist's role in recording events through illustrated news stories is presented in picture-book format. Morrison mentions the work of photographer Mathew Brady but explains that early photographs could not capture movement or be printed in newspapers. Thus, it was left to sketch artists to record Civil War battle scenes. The author carefully follows the four-week journey of a battlefield drawing from the artist's pad to the newspaper office via courier and once there through a multistep process to the printed page. While readers may not understand all of the stages of this time-consuming process, they will grasp its complexity. Morrison's attractive full-color illustrations provide additional informative detail. An excellent example of illustrated history.
Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This unusual book introduces the process by which pictures of Civil War battles reached the public. The fictional story line begins in 1861. Artist William Forbes joins a corps of artists sent to the Virginia battlegrounds, sketches the soldiers in action, and completes a detailed drawing of the scene, which he sends by courier to Burton's Illustrated News in New York City. The heart of the book details the complex process of transferring the pencil drawing to a wood-block ink drawing to an engraving to an electrotype, which can be printed in the newspaper and distributed. A glossary of terms is appended. Apart from a long, confusing paragraph on electrotyping, the writing is clear as it splits the treatment into two distinct parts, the fictional story of Forbes and the technical process of printing. Well-designed and illustrated with attractive paintings, Morrison's book succeeds in documenting and making accessible a little-known aspect of history. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (April 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395914264
• ISBN-13: 978-0395914267
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,872,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful artwork and a great story for Civil War buffs, April 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Civil War Artist (Hardcover)

Taylor Morrison's new book, Civil War Artist, provides glorious artwork and a compelling story line. From the cover piece of the blue-swathed Union Army officer surveying the thin blue line of his troops to the last picture of the retired artist surveying the "new technology" of his time, photographs, the story line is clean and beautifully told. The art work makes the story however, this is a gifted artist improving with every book. In this, his fourth book, Morrison displays his hard-won knowledge of the process whereby newspapers in the late 1800's illustrated their news articles and creates a true patina of authenticity: the buildings, the clothes, the military tale all hang true. The models are stunning, one young woman in a bonnet and royal blue hoop skirt is truly beautiful.

Morrison is true to his talent: he works hard, chooses subjects that his art and story truly illuminate, and creates classic children's books. Kudos to Taylor Morrison!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, extraordinary art work and detailed research., February 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Civil War Artist (Hardcover)

The title is now CIVIL WAR ARTIST. This book which comes out in March 1999 by Houghton Miflin covers the courage, talent and dedication of the illustrators, artists, and technicians who reported and published the newspapers during the Civil War. Taylor Morrison's ability to produce beautiful art while at the same time teaching all ages about the techniques and demands of the work makes it more than just a book for children. His attention to detail and artistic talent creates an exceptional children's book about a critical period in American History.