Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - August - 2008 Issue
First of Civil War Series from the George S. MacManus Co.
For a look at life in the South during the war, Item 440 is Life in Dixie During the War 1861-1865, by Mary Gay. This is a southern diary which includes a description of the most difficult part of the war for those in Georgia, "Sherman times." MacManus notes, "Margaret Mitchell drew heavily from this work in her book, 'Gone With the Wind.'" It contains an introduction by Joel Chandler Harris, noted for writing (or borrowing) the Uncle Remus stories. $350.
Item 45 is The Annals of Harper's Ferry, From the Establishment of the National Armory in 1794, to the Present Time, 1869. This work by Joseph Barry is a history of the town by an Irish immigrant who led most of his life there. While it goes back to earlier days, and contains anecdotes from residents, there is much about the incident for which the community is best known. Barry witnessed many of the events about which he writes, including John Brown's raid on the armory, and he attended Brown's trial. $500.
The George S. MacManus Co. may be reached at 610-520-7273 or books@macmanus-rarebooks.com. Their website is www.macmanus-rarebooks.com.
