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Down Along with That Devil's Bones
Down Along with That Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy | Connor Towne O'Neill
6 posts | 4 read | 3 to read
We can no longer see ourselves as minor spectators or weary watchers of history after finishing this astonishing work of nonfiction. Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy In Down Along with That Devils Bones, journalist Connor Towne ONeill takes a deep dive into American history, exposing the still-raging battles over monuments dedicated to one of the most notorious Confederate generals, Nathan Bedford Forrest. Through the lens of these conflicts, ONeill examines the legacy of white supremacy in America, in a sobering and fascinating work sure to resonate with readers of Tony Horwitz, Timothy B. Tyson, and Robin DiAngelo. When ONeill first moved to Alabama, as a white Northerner, he felt somewhat removed from the racism Confederate monuments represented. Then one day in Selma, he stumbled across a group of citizens protecting a monument to Forrest, the officer who became the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan and whom William Tecumseh Sherman referred to as that devil. ONeill sets off to visit other disputed memorials to Forrest across the South, talking with men and women who believe they are protecting their heritage, and those who have a different view of the mans poisonous history. ONeills reporting and thoughtful, deeply personal analysis make it clear that white supremacy is not a regional affliction but is in fact coded into the DNA of the entire country. Down Along with That Devils Bones presents an important and eye-opening account of how we got from Appomattox to Charlottesville, and where, if we can truly understand and transcend our past, we could be headed next.
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review
OrangeMooseReads
OrangeMooseReads
Down Along with That Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy | Connor Towne O'Neill
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Mehso-so

The premise of this is excellent, using confederate monuments specifically Nathan Bedford Forest‘s, to look at racism and how these monuments still affect.
For me it fell short somewhere along the line. Maybe it was the writing in general, or the way he told the story. I‘m not sure what it was exactly it just didn‘t work for me. I wanted this to be good and informative and thought provoking, parts were, but not enough.

Librarybelle I felt the same way about this. Such an important read, and yet it may have been the writing that made it a so-so read for me in the end. 1w
30 likes1 comment
blurb
OrangeMooseReads
OrangeMooseReads
Down Along with That Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy | Connor Towne O'Neill
post image

Starting this one today.
You have to know history even the uncomfortable stuff.

26 likes
review
Librarybelle
Librarybelle
Down Along with That Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy | Connor Towne O'Neill
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Mehso-so

I really struggled with the rating of this book. On one side, O‘Neill provides a raw and comprehensive look at the Confederate monument debate, as portrayed in his exploration of the symbolism surrounding Nathan Bedford Forrest. If you do not know US history, Forrest plays a very dark part, the first leader of what later became the KKK and a Confederate general known not to show mercy. Not a nice guy. Period. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle O‘Neill‘s several year examination and reporting on the monument topic leads to discussions of history and memory and racism and anti-racism, along with self reflection. It makes you uncomfortable, and that‘s the point. As he takes a step back and examines his own persona and feelings, you as the reader are compelled to do the same. Reading parts of this brought to mind the first time I read Tony Horowitz‘s Confederates in the Attic ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 4y
Librarybelle - feelings of shock and discomfort, not to mention twinges of fear. For a book to move the reader this much is such an important book. And yet, I struggled with his at times oversimplification of historical facts and sometimes misinterpretation of them. My background is in history, and I know a tad bit more about aspects of the Civil War Era than most. He didn‘t quite get everything right. For me, it took away from the impact ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 4y
Librarybelle which is a bit of a downer. I really wanted to love this and the topic is so timely and vital. If I didn‘t know the history, this would be a much higher rating for sure. I do recommend this; it will give you chills. 4y
See All 7 Comments
Hooked_on_books Great review! And I totally get the knowing more than the author about something thing. When they get it wrong, it‘s so frustrating, but you know people with less knowledge on the issue won‘t know that. And it always makes me wonder—what else are they getting wrong that I don‘t know about? 🤔 4y
Librarybelle @Hooked_on_books Thanks! That‘s exactly how I felt. 4y
TieDyeDude Sounds fascinating. So do you recommend it considering the flaws? I know a little about Confederate statues, and I'd like to learn more, but I don't want to be misinformed. 4y
Librarybelle @TieDyeDude I do recommend it - there is a lot of value to the book regarding the statue debate. I heard him speak twice about it, and it‘s fascinating! With my background in history, I caught his historical flaws, as he tried to piece the full history of the Civil War Era together with the present day debate. But, it is a worthy read. 4y
82 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
BekaReid
BekaReid
Down Along with That Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy | Connor Towne O'Neill
Pickpick

This book provides an important discussion on monuments as a reflection not only of the time they seek to commemorate but also of the time they're erected - and continue to stand. Symbols matter. There's a connection not only between symbols and what they represent but also between the people who support those symbols (monuments) and the power they hold.

12 likes
blurb
BekaReid
BekaReid
Down Along with That Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy | Connor Towne O'Neill
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I had to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and read outside today.

15 likes
quote
NotCool
NotCool
Down Along with That Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy | Connor Towne O'Neill
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I would have to learn the hard way what James Baldwin meant when he wrote that “people who imagine that history flatters them are impaled on their history like a butterfly on a pin and become incapable of seeing or changing themselves, or the world.”

7 likes