I have learned a lot about Memphis in Wanda Rushing's book. I will admit that I did find the reading a bit dry and some of the information was so intense I had to read it twice to understand where she was going with it. The book has made me more interested in the city and the history behind it. I am doing an honor's contract on the yellow fever epidemic that is leading me to Elmwood Cemetery. I plan on investigating more about the one day Civil War battle that happened here. I want to learn more about the city itself and the people who founded it.
The book has pushed to me to be more curious about Memphis. I want to find out how the city felt in the aftermath of the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination and what propelled them forward. All in all, the book was interesting and taught me to look at Memphis in a different light. I also want to find out how to become a Boll Weevil...LOL.
I am a history buff and I enjoy learning about the Civil War era, so the sections of the book on this part of the city were especially intriguing. I know a lot about the Civil War in relation to the East Coast, but haven't spent much time studying this side of the states. I hope to get to Shiloh, Ft. Pillow, and Vicksburg this summer to tour the battlefields. I think this will give me a greater understanding of what happened on this side of the country during this era.
Reading this book gave me a greater insight into why Memphis is the way it is today. Some of it is good, some bad and some is that gray area in-between. This class has opened my eyes to different views of the city and it is neat to discuss the book in class and see the opinions that my classmates have about the city we all call home.
Erin, I will be visiting Fort Pillow this week with my father-in-law. He is a retired history teacher. He is a Civil War expert. Actually, Sarah and I were talking about a lecture that he presented in Michigan a long time ago. After the lecture he was approached by a couple from here in Memphis. They told him that his lecture was one of the only non-biased lectures they had ever heard, next to the lectures given by their friend Mr. Shelby Foote. I thought that was interesting. And jokingly stated that the couple probably came back to Memphis and told Foote all about Sarah's father. Shelby Foote had heard of her father, and of course Kit had heard of Foote. They were practically buddies! Anyway I plan on blogging about my finds at Fort Pillow. I will also be getting you the pictures from the Carter Fold, I have not forgotten.
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