Born Fighting
 | |
| Author | James Webb |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | History |
| Publisher | Broadway Books |
Publication date | October 5, 2004 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 384 |
| ISBN | 0-7679-1688-3 |
Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped Americais a book by American politician and authorJames "Jim" Webb.It describes the history of theScots-Irishethnic group, summarising their Scottish roots and time inUlsterbefore entering a more elaborate narrative of their time in theUnited States of America.Webb describes what he considers to be their inherent characteristics, such as their senses of militarism, independence and staunch opposition to adversaries. He notes their roles in the creation ofcountry musicand theBible Belt.[1]
Webb notes how the Scots-Irish played significant roles in American conflicts, particularly theAmerican Civil War,largely as Confederates, and theVietnam War.Webb describes what he feels has been the "Nazification" of the Confederate cause, emphasising that only five percent of Southerners were slave owners and detailing the economic crippling of the South by the Northern-based government, both before and after the conflict. Webb also describes the vilification of soldiers in the Vietnam War at the hands of a liberal, anti-war public.[1]
The book was generally praised. Writing for the Ashbrook Center,Mackubin Thomas Owensof theNaval War Collegepraised the book as a "tour de force",agreeing with Webb that American politicians need to take more notice of the Scots-Irish.[2]Jeff Minick ofSmoky Mountain Livingmagazine described it as "vivid".[3]Kirkus Reviews, while questioning the underlying message of the book, found "plenty of good information and interpretation".[4]However, historian Michael S. Newton was deeply critical of the book, among many complaints writing that Webb "comes across as an apologist for the legacy of racism in the South". He accused Webb of "taking history personally" and generally lambasted the book for what seemed to be an intentionally misleading narrative.[5]
Born Fightingwas the basis for a two-part Smithsonian Channel program on the Scots-Irish influence in America.[6]
References
[edit]- ^abWebb, James (2004).Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America.New York, USA: Broadway Books.ISBN0-7679-1688-3.
- ^Owens, Mackubin (December 2004)."Review of James Webb's Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America".The Ashbrook Center.
- ^Minick, Jeff (2015-10-01)."Great Scots".Smoky Mountain Living.Retrieved2021-05-05.
- ^"BORN FIGHTING: HOW THE SCOTS-IRISH SHAPED AMERICA".Kirkus Reviews.August 1, 2004.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-05-10.Retrieved2021-05-05.
- ^Newton, Michael S. (September 2006)."Review essay of Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America".History Scotland.
- ^The Reliable Source (2011-04-10)."Sen. Jim Webb, end of Senate career in sight, stars in new Scots-Irish documentary," Born Fighting. "".Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on 2012-11-10.Retrieved2021-05-05.
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