In Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the American Civil War, poem by poem, Private McGraw, each poem's speaker, shares with us his journey through the landscapes of the American Civil War. McGraw, a Confederate soldier and racist, steps into the War in order to assure that slavery will exist long enough for him to purchase a slave with hopes to impress his love, Martha. As McGraw treks through the blood and mire, experiencing both triumph and tragedy, he begins to transform into a man of peace and compassion - a man who no longer sees a black man or a white man; he simply sees a man - a fellow, a brother.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
I am really not much of a poetry reader as my 12th grade english teacher could probably tell you. That's why when S. Thomas Summers contacted me about reading his book of Civil War related poetry I had to give it some thought. I'm glad I did because this turned out to be quite the little gem!
In a series of brief, mostly one page or less, poems we follow the growth and maturation of young Private Hercules McGraw. McGraw and two friends enlist in the Confederate army. McGraw joins because he feels he has to own a slave in order to win the heart and hand of Martha Lane. McGraw here clearly puts the cause of the war as slavery; "the new president up in Washington is planning on making all them free".
The three young soldiers end up at Shiloh where two key events take place for young Hercules: he shoots his first Yankee and he also finds his friend Nate dead on the battlefield. Seeing his friend dead leads Hercules to question his motives for fighting. As the war progresses Hercules finds himself becoming more soldier like. He feels he no longer has an opinion and just does as he is told. It was best not to think.
The poem Regrets contains my favorite lines from the book:
....Walked into the war
thinking I was doing some good
but the war never noticed I was there.
I could of sneaked off, slunk into some hole
and nobody would have guessed I was gone.
Then I could have talked to Jesus again---
It is in this poem that Hercules and his friend Willy sneak off eventually joining a regiment that ended up in Gettysburg.
While at Gettysburg Hercules compares Abraham Lincoln to Satan and also continues to grow up. He further realizes he doesn't need Martha Lane and that fighting a was so he can own a slave to impress her was not worth it. She was not worth it. During Pickett's Charge Hercules witnesses his friend Willy get shot in the head and die. Hercules is happy for him. During the retreat from Pennsylvania McGraw states that God is a Yankee and he considered the war over.
McGraw eventually deserts the army and heads back home empty handed as far as material things go. What he comes home with however is a new attitude and outlook. On his journey home he witnessed a regiment of black troops fighting and he realized that these were men. Not property, but men.
The sum of these pieces is truly worth more than the individual parts. A reader does not have to have knowledge of the Civil War to enjoy this story. What a reader needs is the willingness to sit for a few minutes and enjoy a great coming of age story. Well written, this is a book that can be read in pieces or can easily be finished in one sitting. Highly recommended!
In a series of brief, mostly one page or less, poems we follow the growth and maturation of young Private Hercules McGraw. McGraw and two friends enlist in the Confederate army. McGraw joins because he feels he has to own a slave in order to win the heart and hand of Martha Lane. McGraw here clearly puts the cause of the war as slavery; "the new president up in Washington is planning on making all them free".
The three young soldiers end up at Shiloh where two key events take place for young Hercules: he shoots his first Yankee and he also finds his friend Nate dead on the battlefield. Seeing his friend dead leads Hercules to question his motives for fighting. As the war progresses Hercules finds himself becoming more soldier like. He feels he no longer has an opinion and just does as he is told. It was best not to think.
The poem Regrets contains my favorite lines from the book:
....Walked into the war
thinking I was doing some good
but the war never noticed I was there.
I could of sneaked off, slunk into some hole
and nobody would have guessed I was gone.
Then I could have talked to Jesus again---
It is in this poem that Hercules and his friend Willy sneak off eventually joining a regiment that ended up in Gettysburg.
While at Gettysburg Hercules compares Abraham Lincoln to Satan and also continues to grow up. He further realizes he doesn't need Martha Lane and that fighting a was so he can own a slave to impress her was not worth it. She was not worth it. During Pickett's Charge Hercules witnesses his friend Willy get shot in the head and die. Hercules is happy for him. During the retreat from Pennsylvania McGraw states that God is a Yankee and he considered the war over.
McGraw eventually deserts the army and heads back home empty handed as far as material things go. What he comes home with however is a new attitude and outlook. On his journey home he witnessed a regiment of black troops fighting and he realized that these were men. Not property, but men.
The sum of these pieces is truly worth more than the individual parts. A reader does not have to have knowledge of the Civil War to enjoy this story. What a reader needs is the willingness to sit for a few minutes and enjoy a great coming of age story. Well written, this is a book that can be read in pieces or can easily be finished in one sitting. Highly recommended!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Rusty
Poetry lovers, civil war buffs, and historians alike. Sit back and get ready to go on a journey of a life time with Thomas S. Summers as he brings to life Private Hercules McGraw and his treacherous life during one of Americas bloodiest wars, the American Civil War. After reading some of the finest war time poetry, you will leave with a sense of what it was like for the soldiers and their families. You will sense the fear and uncertainty in the daily lives of the common solider. A must read! You will come away smelling the aroma of black powder in the air!
By Frances Hunt
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was a bust! I paid far too much for it and went on my emotions -- my husband made me do it! He is very interested in the Civil War and saw an article about this book in a local magazine here in the Poconos -- it was far too expensive for what you get and given a 'do-over' I'd have passed on this one! Sorry to the author, but this one's a snoozer -- hard to believe he got it published and there are so many talented writers who can't catch a break!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spellbinding
I have just had the opportunity to read a slim volume of War Between the States poetry centered on a young Confederate soldier from Tennessee named Hercules McGraw. Read more
Published 4 months ago by W.A. Dennison, Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing use of language
This slim volume of poems really captures the sense and the feel of war poetry. There's a story woven through them, and it gains in power as it goes along. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Excession
5.0 out of 5 stars
A journey through the landscape of the US and the mind.
I strongly recommend this book. It is poetry without a doubt, so if you like poetry jump in.
But if poetry normally sends you headed in the other direction stick around for a... Read more
But if poetry normally sends you headed in the other direction stick around for a... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Smasher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Private Hercules McGraw
At the risk of repeating what's already been said, this is a great book for anyone who loves poetry and Civil War history. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Richard Berkheiser
5.0 out of 5 stars
A story told
The reality of war can be difficult to read. However, S. Thomas Summers has brought these poems together in a way that makes it hard to not turn the page and read more. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smell the smoke
Even if you don't normally read poetry, you'll love this. You can smell the smoke in the air and hear the guns being fired. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Diane Deritter
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