John Ransom's Andersonville Diary

Unabridged
Author: John Ransom
Narrator: David Thorn
Genres: History, Biographies
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Date: October 2004
Length: 8 hours, 30 minutes
Ratings:
Formats:
  • CD
  • WMA

Overview

This book is an extraordinary day-to-day documentary of the Civil War’s most infamous Confederate prison, Camp Sumter, better known as Andersonville.

Here 13,000 wretched Union prisoners died within barely fourteen months, from starvation, scurvy, and other diseases that spread through the camp. There was little shelter but makeshift tents; little in the way of blankets, warm clothing, or even shoes; and a scarcity of food and fresh water. Often the men were forced to sleep on the muddy ground in very crowded conditions.

While the deplorable conditions bear witness to man’s inhumanity to man, they also are witness to one man’s undaunted spirit to survive to tell the dreadful tale.

The narrative in the diary reflects John Ransom’s attitudes, changing from the moody early staccato sentences when he is first captured, to resignation, and eventually to cheerful prose when the war draws to a close.

Reviews (1)

John Ransom's Andersonville Diary

Written by Anonymous from West Covina, CA on February 5th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This book is excellent! The one thing that you will see that got John Ransom through his time as a prisoner and witnessing horrors beyond belief--was his wonderful attitude. He never ceases to see the bright side of things and never gives up. If he could do this under the most horrific conditions, we may all want to pick up something from him. Wonderful reading, great in every way. I highly recommend this book. Sherry