With Lee in Virginia facts for kids
Cover of 1899 edition, published by A. L. Burt, New York.
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| Author | G.A. Henty |
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| Illustrator | Gordon Browne |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Blackie and Son Ltd., London |
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Publication date
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1890 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
With Lee in Virginia, A Story of the American Civil War is a historical adventure book written by British author G.A. Henty. It was first published in 1890 by Blackie and Son Ltd in London. The story follows a young character named Vincent Wingfield during the American Civil War.
Vincent Wingfield joins the Confederate States of America, which was a group of Southern states that separated from the United States. Even though Vincent fights for the Confederacy, the book says he is against slavery. The story mostly shows his experiences with the Army of Northern Virginia, a major Confederate army.
Some historians have noted that Henty's book shows a strong liking for the Confederate side. For example, literary expert Jeffrey Richards called the book "significantly pro-Southern." The book's portrayal of slavery is controversial. It suggests that enslaved people on some plantations were "happier" than workers in Europe, which is a view that is widely seen as incorrect and harmful today. The book also claims that many formerly enslaved people chose to return to their previous owners after the war. This idea is not supported by historical facts and reflects a biased viewpoint.
Contents
About the Book's Story
Vincent Wingfield's Journey
The main character, Vincent Wingfield, is a young man who finds himself caught up in the American Civil War. He makes the choice to fight for the Confederate side. The story follows his adventures and challenges during this difficult time in history.
Historical Setting and Views
The book is set during the American Civil War (1861-1865). This war was fought between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy). A major cause of the war was the issue of slavery. While the book tells an exciting adventure story, it also presents some views that are now considered problematic.
For example, the book suggests that slavery, under certain conditions, could be acceptable. It also describes formerly enslaved people returning to their previous owners. These ideas do not match what historians know about the realities of slavery and the experiences of enslaved people. It's important to remember that historical novels can sometimes reflect the biases of their time.
Reception and Influence
A Controversial Viewpoint
With Lee in Virginia has been praised by some groups, including the Southern Partisan magazine. This magazine, which supports Neo-Confederate ideas, suggested the book was good for young readers. They liked that the book's bias matched their own views on the Civil War.
However, many experts disagree with the book's portrayal of history. They argue that the book makes the complex issue of slavery seem too simple. It also presents a romanticized, or overly positive, view of the relationship between slave owners and enslaved people. This kind of portrayal can be misleading and does not accurately show the harsh realities of slavery.
Adaptations
Audio Theater Production
In 2015, With Lee in Virginia was turned into an audio theater production. This means the story was performed using voices and sound effects, like a radio play. Famous actors like Kirk Cameron, Sean Astin, and Chris Anthony lent their voices to the production.
Images for kids
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Cover of 1899 edition, published by A. L. Burt, New York.
