How Long to Read The Hour of Our Nation's Agony

How Long Does it Take to Read The Hour of Our Nation's Agony?

It takes the average reader 6 hours and 14 minutes to read The Hour of Our Nation's Agony by William Cowper Nelson

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

The Hour of Our Nation's Agony offers a revealing look into the life of a Confederate soldier as he is transformed by the war. Through these literate, perceptive, and illuminating letters, readers can trace Lt. William Cowper Nelson's evolution from an idealistic young soldier to a battle-hardened veteran. Nelson joined the army at the age of nineteen, leaving behind a close-knit family in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He served for much of the war in the Third Corps of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. By the end of the conflict, Nelson had survived many major battles, including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness, as well as the long siege of Petersburg. In his correspondence, Nelson discusses in detail the soldier's life, religion in the ranks, his love for and heartbreak at being separated from his family, and Southern identity. Readers will find his reflections on slavery, religion, and the Confederacy particularly revealing. Seeing and participating in the slaughter of other human beings overpowered Nelson's romantic idealism. He had long imagined war as a noble struggle of valor, selflessness, and glory. But the sight of wounded men with "blood streaming from their wounds," dying slow, lonely deaths showed Nelson the true nature of war. Nelson's letters reveal the conflicting emotions that haunted many soldiers. Despite his bitter hatred of the "ruthless invaders of our beloved South," the sight of wounded Union prisoners moved him to compassion. Nelson's ability to write about irreconcilable moments when he felt both kindness and cruelty toward the enemy with introspection, candor, and sensitivity makes The Hour of Our Nation's Agony more than just a collection of missives. Jennifer Ford places Nelson squarely in the middle of the historiographic debate over the degree of disillusionment felt by Civil War soldiers, arguing that Nelson-like many soldiers-was a complex individual who does not fit neatly into one interpretation. Jennifer W. Ford is head of special collections and associate professor at the J. D. Williams Library at the University of Mississippi, where the where the collection containing Lt. Nelson's letters and other family documents is held.

How long is The Hour of Our Nation's Agony?

The Hour of Our Nation's Agony by William Cowper Nelson is 372 pages long, and a total of 93,744 words.

This makes it 126% the length of the average book. It also has 115% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Hour of Our Nation's Agony Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 8 hours and 32 minutes to read The Hour of Our Nation's Agony aloud.

What Reading Level is The Hour of Our Nation's Agony?

The Hour of Our Nation's Agony is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Hour of Our Nation's Agony?

The Hour of Our Nation's Agony by William Cowper Nelson is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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