What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading? A project sponsored by the Friends of the Macomb Public Library District to encourage reading and book discussion in our community. Would you like to share your favorite books with other readers? Please send your name, occupation or grade level, book author and title, and a brief statement about the book and why you liked it to Kate Joswick, [email protected].

Reviewer’s Name: Terri Hare Reviewer’s Occupation: Retired Book Title: In the Very Thickest of the Fight: The Civil War Service of the 78th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment Book’s Author: Steve Raymond The 78th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment was made up of ten Companies of recruits from McDonough County, Adams County, and surrounding smaller counties. Companies A, C, and I were recruits from McDonough County, including Carter Van Vleck, who was appointed Colonel of the regiment. The men of the 78th were farmers, businessmen, politicians, etc., who had no military training or camp experience, yet they spent from 1862 to 1865 fighting for justice, from Louisville to south of Atlanta, becoming part of Sherman’s March to the Sea. Raymond provides a graphic timeline of the 78th’s march, often in deplorable conditions. This book details the living conditions, economics, and personal relationships of the soldiers, as well as what these men experienced during and after battle. Using archived documents and research, the reader learns intimate details of what the 78th endured during their march in the Civil War. It’s an especially interesting read because of the ties to McDonough County.