Non-fiction, 82 pp., 2006. Publishamerica, www.PublishAmerica.com.
Myths about a wide range of issues pertaining to the War Between the States circulate and are presented as facts to school children and the general population. Forward the Colors discusses many of these topics and presents a different side then what the average person is accustomed to seeing.
The book first examines the history of the Confederate Battle Flag, dispelling the negative ideas that surround it. An in depth review of why General Beauregard commissioned the flag shows the reader it was not created to be a symbol of hate. In fact the author condemns certain hate groups for the abuse of the embattled emblem.
To understand slavery, the author introduces the reader to the origins of American slavery. Facts, such as Mr. Anthony Johnson, a free black man who actually made slavery legal in the British colony of Virginia, are brought to light. By looking at the beginning to the end of slavery, the reader is able to better understand history through the eyes of that period of time.
The average American is taught about Abraham Lincoln, the myth, but Mr. Puissegur tells the reader about Abraham Lincoln, the real man. One section reviews Lincoln and Congress’s stance on the Crittenden Compromise. The author also brings forward the various different 13th amendments that were debated before the final one was approved. Many views and opinions of Lincoln that are left out of most textbooks are presented so that the reader is able to see what the President of the United States felt about the South, slavery and many other issues prevalent to that era in his own words.
The real reason for the War Between the States and other facts are revealed also. While revisionist historians state slavery was the only reason for the war, Forward the Colors looks at how a free South would impact the economics of the North. This is considered the main reason for the North to invade a peaceful South. There are other minor reasons noted, like the “philosophical and theological” differences between the North and South.
The NAACP and the KKK are exposed as the hate groups they are. Mr. Puissegur quotes the written history, objectives and mission statements of these organizations. By doing this, he shows the irregularities in both. They are condemned as enemies of Southern history and the reader is warned of their forked tongue approach to the liberal media.
The theory of this book is excellent. A practical book that is compact but has the answers and reasoning behind many arguments facing people who support the true history of the War Between the States; however, the main downfall to this publication is the lack of footnotes and a bibliography. Many quotes are used but references of the sources are not noted. On some occasions primary sources are not used, while the Internet is the only reference. In a debate, this book would be a good start on how to format your argument. Another book or reference would be required to state the location of the quotes and statements.
Though this book lacks some essential qualities, a reader may be intrigued to look deeper into particular arguments. Again, the negative delusion of Sothern history is common in today’s society, and Forward the Colors gives answers to these fables by the revisionist historians and media.
By Cassie A. Barrow
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