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Review

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Hit or MissBy Wayne A. SmithKudos for Charlie Schroeder discovering his "inner history nerd" and igniting a desire within himself to learn about a past that he dismissed during his school years. The authors journey from ignorant to learning is impressive and speaks to the potential everyone has to discover new joys of learning whatever ones age.Unfortunately; Schroeder is a very uneven writer. The good parts of the book are the authors immersions with various historical reenactor groups and the people he meets who portray everyone from Romans and Vikings to American soldiers from our wars up to and including the Vietnam era. He does the technical aspects of reenacting well and gives as good a view for an outsider of what it is like for a newbee (first time reenactor) to join in a weekends worth of marching; camping and faux-fighting as he and his comrades imagine themselves at places as diverse as Stalingrad; a Roman Fort; Civil War battlefield and a US Vietnam era firebase.The parts that felt forced or flat for me were the authors side remarks. He has a tendency to slip into sophmoric comments and for me these interfered with the flow of the book. Injecting humor and funny asides in "real-life" books can be done well and is by the likes of Bill Bryson and Tony Horwitz. Schroeders efforts seem more to be a reflexive jump back to his inner seventeen year old rather than the humor one finds from a mature wit.There are many interesting parts of the book. His description of his weekend spent rowing as a bateaux-man with a crew reenacting a French and Indian War era barge movement and the physical toll that entails shows the breadth of difficulty of some reenacting experiences. It was amusing to read that the person who can be described as the American most focused on keeping alive the memory of the Polish Winged Hussars is the former bassist for W.A.S.P.; the heavy metal band (though dressing up as winged-calvary is not too far a stretch perhaps for the regalia that attended 1980s and 1990s metal men). The author; who spent a year immersing himself with various groups; decided at the end to create his own reenactment and went on a twenty mile journey recreating a stretch of Father Junipero Serras walk between Spanish missions. That does speak to a man who has been converted to a love of history and it was nice to read of his new commitment to learning from whence we came.This book will be undoubtedly compared to Tony Horwitzs "Confederates in the Attic" as they plow much of the same ground; although Horwitz if memory serves me correctly didnt actually get on the ground and reenact in his coverage of the topic which dealt more with the memory of the Civil War in the South. Schroeders book doesnt draw the conclusions or achieve an overarching theme as "Confederates in the Attic" did. Rather; it is a journal of his experiences. No fault there; I just wish he had a more mature style of writing.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Farby SnarkBy SullyThis isnt a bad book. Its not exactly a good book; either. What it is; is available; one of the few books offering a reasonably objective look at the re-enacting hobby.When hes chronicling his adventures re-enacting history; Schroeder delivers solid; if undistinguished; journalism. I picked up the book after visiting a Civil War re-enactment in California; curious as to what sort of adults would scamper around outdoors in costume playing with faux firearms. "Man of War" satisfied my curiosity.Schroeder himself remains something of a cipher. Presumably; his narrative is intended as a picaresque journey of self-discovery for a young man ignorant of both his nations history and a good deal of its contemporary culture. Yet all we really learn about the author is that he cant resist taking cheap shots at people whose politics dont align with conventional liberal canards.These observations are rarely enlightening or amusing. Instead; theyre oddly half-hearted; as though Schroeder feels a rote obligation to ridicule any segment of society that lies beyond his elite East Coast pale. Maybe he isnt very funny (or perhaps hes worried that the IRS will audit his taxes; and the FBI will intercept his e-mails).Overall; "Man of War" is an entertaining and informative look at the world of re-enactors. Just be prepared to wince at Schroeders frat-boy delivery; from time to time.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Man of Recreated WarBy PennyHave you ever wondered just who the people who reenact battles form past wars are; and why they do their strenuous hobby? Here is the way to find out without actually trying it yourself. Some of the length re-enactors go to; such as building a fortress; purchasing and making completely period correct uniforms; and sleeping in tents on old battle grounds; are shown. As are the sometimes less than enthusiastic reactions of uninvolved neighbors in their areas. However; the only way to really understand what it was like for those long ago soldiers is to march in their boots; and this he tries to do with the help of the regular re-enactors. Charlie Schroeder does tend to be a bit cynical condescending in some of his descriptions of events; even when he is the main character. It is fitting that when he sets up his own reenactment; that of a traveling padre of the Spanish Colonial era in the South West; the result is a farce. But; at least; he tried.