The Civil War was a tragic conflagration fought on American soil, that carved a permanent scar on the national psyche, shaped the identities of the victors and the defeated, and captured the imagination of future generations right through the present day. Those who have participated in Ms Stern’s previous lecture series on mysteries, baseball, classics, and memoirs have found the evenings enjoyable and the discussions stimulating.

The series will focus on four books: E.L. Doctorow’s The March on Wednesday, June 9; Geraldine Brooks’ March on Wednesday, June 23; James Lee Burke’s White Doves at Morning on Wednesday, July 14; and Tony Horowitz’s Confederates in the Attic on Wednesday, August 4. All discussions begin at 7:30 pm, in the Antiques Room. Multiple copies of these titles will be available on the second floor near the circulation desk.

The first three books are historical novels depicting the carnage of savage battles, the shame and cruelty of slavery, the systematic destruction of a way of life, and the courage, idealism, duplicity, cowardice, and folly that existed on both sides of the conflict.

The final book is Tony Horowitz’s exploration of the phenomenon of Civil War reenactors, and his analysis of why the American South is still so emotionally involved with a war that ended 150 years ago.

Register for one, two, three, or all of the discussions by visiting the library’s website at chboothlibrary.org or by calling the library at 203-426-4533.