Images of the Civil War

Aside from Ron Maxwell's Gettysburg, no other has influenced an explosion of modern interest in the Civil War than Mort Kunstler. Though artists like Dale Gallon would rise and even rival his collection, Kunstler really is the original godfather of modern historical art. Powerful and tragic events and the glorious and not so much stole America's imagination again through this artist's brush. However, James M McPherson's narrative between the pages of Kunstler's illustrations in "Images of the Civil War" stick out and stink like the civil war's battlefield gift of gangrene. His introduction alone is sick with misinformation. In it he likens the secession of the Southern states from the US government to the death of republics in the past and "fulfill the hopes" (of Southerners). He then lists the institution of slavery as another part of the Civil War's causes. It was a short introduction where President Lincoln was quoted twice. Perhaps the good professor has not graduated far enough into the field of historical truth to understand that the old school of revisions and myths like his are gradually becoming gone with the wind. Ironically Mort Kunstler's work both on and off the canvas is one of the most influential symbols in the new movement by students, teachers, and buffs alike to debunk age old myths regarding the Civil War. Mort Kunstler was the first artist in decades to portray Civil War Confederates as epic American heroes. With the internet that started countless discussions on the subject and access to first hand accounts and memoirs lost to history, Mort Kunstler brought to life once again, the true souls and legends of a period when revolution did not simply mean Wood Stock. James McPherson, in "Images of the Civil War" goes lower than his common one sided version of history. I doubt that any Northern soldier that served in the Civil War would agree with McPherson's lies any more than a Southern grunt might. The institution of slavery died as a result of the war against the South, not rather, a cause for it. "If all living Union soldiers were summoned to the witness stand, every one of them would testify that it was the preservation of the American Union and not the destruction of slavery that induced him to volunteer at the call of his country."-Lt. General John Gordon, veteran of Civil War from 1861 to 1865, who's command was personally saluted by Maj. General Joshua Camberlain at Appomottox And the Confederate war for independence would have no more destroyed the United States government than the perpetual survival of the UK following the American Revolution. All what ifs aside, the only sure fact of a Confederate victory would have been that the United States' southern border would change from the Gulf of Mexico to the Ohio River. Colonel William C Oates, veteran of the battle against the 20th Maine on Little Round Top and more than fifty-two other war engagements gives a more critical study of the contents of Lincoln's Gett

Fantastic paintings, gripping narratives are just a few words to describe Mr. Kunstler's books. Images of the Civil War is an OUTSTANDING review of the images associated with "The War Between The States". I own several prints of Mr. Kunstler's works and always look forward to his next editions. If Mr. Kunstler ever reads this, I would like to make a humble suggestion, I would LOVE to see a rendition done of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain giving the soldier who died on Little Round Top on the 2nd day of battle July 2nd, 1863, his SGT'S stripes back and words of comfort to this dying soldier. This little known fact in my opinions would make a fitting tribute to J.L. Chamberlain and all the heroes of Gettysburg.