They bug me, too, Kendall, esp. if it is about something which I am familiar.

I just finished the Wildwood Boys by James Carlos Blake, an horrific and lyrical novel about Bloody Bill Anderson and other "wildwood boys" who fought the Union during the Civil War, at times in concert with Quantrill. I could swear someone here told me about it, but I didn't find it in a search. It is the more chilling and excellent because of Blake's style of writing...his descriptions of the beauty of the land, the tenderness between lovers and families and friends juxtaposed with his declarative, blunt telling of the atrocities of both warring sides can leave one stunned, yet compelled to read on. I know it is a novel, but it seems to me his research was brilliant as is the result. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in the history of our country, esp. to those who may be as uncomfortable as I have been to see the Rebel flag so casually displayed these days. Even though one of my ancestors was a Rebel spy, an "irregular," I've never felt any pride in that flag nor the need to fly it, but, after reading this book, I at least understand why some may feel that way.