Things Grew Beautifully Worse : The Wartime Experiences of Captain John O'Brien, 30th Arkansas Infantry, C.S.A. [Paperback]

Brian K. Robertson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

Extensively annotated by editor Brian K. Robertson, Things Grew Beautifully Worse is the story of an Irish immigrant to Arkansas who became a soldier, officer and prisoner during the Civil War. Captured during the Battle of Murfreesboro, Captain John O'Brien was ultimately transferred to Johnson's Island military prison in Ohio. While imprisoned, O'Brien kept a diary in which he recounts his military service and capture in addition to his daily life in the prison. Through it all, Captain O'Brien is able to maintain his sense of humanity--and even a bit of his native Irish wit and humor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

O'Brien's honest and detailed description of the battle of Murfreesboro. . . and his many months of captivity makes for fascinating reading. -- Daniel E. Sutherland--University of Arkansas

Robertson complements O'Brien's account through prolific footnotes, identifying persons, battles, and other detail to place the writing in historical context. -- Pulaski County Historical Review

About the Author

Brian K. Robertson is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in history. He is currently employed at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies as the manuscripts coordinator.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Butler Center for Arkansas Studies; 1 edition (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970857411
• ISBN-13: 978-0970857415
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,402,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The battles, bloodshed, and gangrene of the Civil War, January 12, 2002

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Things Grew Beautifully Worse : The Wartime Experiences of Captain John O'Brien, 30th Arkansas Infantry, C.S.A. (Paperback)

Ably edited by Brian K. Robertson, Things Grew Beautifully Worse: The Wartime Experiences Of Captain John O'Brien, 30th Arkansas Infantry, C.S.A. is the personal civil war diary of a Confederate officer who had a first-hand perspective of the battles, bloodshed, and gangrene of the Civil War, and who came to languish in Union Prisons with nothing to do save write down his experiences. Heavily annotated for the modern reader's benefit, this slim volume adds a very personal touch to a divisive era in America's history. Things Grew Beautifully Worse is a highly recommended and much appreciated addition to the growing library of Civil War memoirs and eye-witness accounts.