The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War - by Lisa G Samia (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A collection of 28 poems and 28 essays along with a selection of historical photos, sketches, and quotes that are dedicated to the lost and forgotten of the Civil War, by award winning author, Lisa G. Samia. Selections within this work earned her the award of FINALIST for the Artist in Residence Program for the National Parks Arts Foundation Gettysburg Poetry 2018. Each poem is a narrative, a story told from an imagined person who is witnessing and experiencing some event during the Civil War.

Includes original sketch artwork "Bundle of Twigs" and "Unknown Confederate Soldier" drawn exclusively for this collection by artist, Shannon A. Reedy. The "Bundle of Twigs" icon is used to symbolize the hardships and suffering of the Civil War. The sketch "The Unknown Confederate Soldier" is of the headstones amassed at the Springwood Cemetery in Greenville, S.C.

The inspiration of the collection comes from the very first poem and essay on Michael Dougherty of the 13th Pennsylvania Calvary. Michael was captured and imprisoned in several Confederate prisons such as Pemberton, Barrett's, Libby, Belle Island and finally served the duration of his sentence at Andersonville Prison in Andersonville, Georgia.

Over the course of the 23 months and 17 days he was confined to prison, Michael kept a diary. It was only after I read the diary, especially regarding his confinement at Andersonville that the horror of this death camp came to life. Overcrowding, starvation, madness and sickness were prevalent throughout the prison. And it was Michael's daily written count of men who were dead or dying, stating them as numbers without names or faces, that the inspiration for this collection was brought forth.

What of all of those thousands of soldiers, who were they? History tells us that after the Civil War many of these soldiers were eventually identified, yet what became of the ones who were not? And what about the civilians of the Civil War, those who starved to death, fell to disease or simply died of a broken heart? What became of them?

Most of the poems and essays in this collection are based upon actual historical facts about a person or an event of the war. The narrator in each poem is an imagined civilian or soldier who was lost to history, yet through this creative venue is telling their story of what is was like to be at Shiloh, or be tended to by Louisa May Alcott, or watch John Wilkes Booth die on the front porch of the Garrett farm on April 26, 1865.

The corresponding essays are the factual representation as provided by history, along with my thoughts and feelings. The result of the combination of the narration with rhyme of the poem and the historical reference of the essay brings forth these voices and gives those lost and forgotten souls a chance to be heard, to tell their story and live again.

Lisa G. Samia is an award winner poet, author and speaker who loves American History. She was honored with the award of FINALIST for the Artist in Residence Program from the National Parks Arts Foundation Gettysburg Poetry 2018. She is the author of the historical fiction, "My Name is John Singer," an imagined account of John Wilkes Booth. Her contemporary romantic poetry collection, "The Man with the Ice Blue Eyes" debuted #1 in Women's Poetry on Amazon. She has also appeared as a guest speaker at the Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, MD and the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia.

She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in English and has appeared on local television multiple times for her writing. A Boston native, she is happily married and lives in Avon, CT.

www.LisaSamia.com

www.DestinyNovels.com

Review Quotes

• 5-Stars! -- This is a unique book in that there are historical facts presented of soldiers and others from the Civil War, their actual writings, with the author's emotional poetry along side their story. You can feel the author's emotion come through on each poem. The history of each story is presented thoughtfully and carefully so as not to assume anything. While some of the historical figures she writes about have faces, the soldiers who wrote home about their horrific experiences most likely will never have a face in history. But through their writings, we get to know them. The author then shares her feelings as if she were talking to them directly. It's historic, it's emotional, it's thoughtful. It's a wonderful read for anyone who loves history and appreciates poetry. Well done. -- FROM TERRI, CT -- Verified Amazon Buyer

Professional Literary Review from Eric Swanson, Librettist for EDWIN, The Story of Edwin Booth, and co-author of the New York Times bestseller, The Joy of Living. -- In "The Nameless & The Faceless of the Civil War," Lisa Samia deftly weaves poetry and essays into a deeply moving portrait of lives lived and lost during the most violent eruption of the conflict that has defined the United States since its foundation, and continues to rage in our time. A truly touching, thoughtful, and insightful work."

• 5 Stars! Imaginative Tribute! This is my favorite book yet by Lisa G. Samia. I have enjoyed reading all of this author's work, but I found this one especially engrossing. It's a creative way of weaving Civil War history with poetry. Following each poem is the history that inspired her to write the poetry. I appreciated learning details about the war, such as Andersonville Prison. Throughout the book, Samia takes you on the journey with her of what she discovered in her research and zooms in on compelling aspects of the people involved in the war. I love the tribute to the "nameless and faceless" -- the idea of never forgetting those that contributed to or gave their lives for this country, in any war. It's an interesting read. Don't hesitate! -- from C. Aug / verified Amazon Buyer