Last of the Blue and Gray
Old Men, Stolen Glory, and the Mystery That Outlived the Civil War
By Richard A. Serrano | Publisher: Smithsonian
About the book
Richard Serrano, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the Los Angeles Times, pens a story of two veterans. In the late 1950s, as America prepared for the Civil War centennial, two very old men lay dying. Albert Woolson, 109 years old, slipped in and out of a coma at a Duluth, Minnesota, hospital, his memories as a Yankee drummer boy slowly dimming. Walter Williams, at 117 blind and deaf and bedridden in his daughter's home in Houston, Texas, no longer could tell of his time as a Confederate forage master. The last of the Blue and the Gray were drifting away; an era was ending.
Unknown to the public, centennial officials, and the White House too, one of these men was indeed a veteran of that horrible conflict and one according to the best evidence nothing but a fraud. One was a soldier. The other had been living a great, big lie.
Editions of Last of the Blue and Gray
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781588343956
- EBook
- ISBN 9781588343963
Read an Excerpt
Richard Serrano, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the Los Angeles Times, pens a story of two veterans. In the late 1950s, as America prepared for the Civil War centennial, two very old men lay dying. Albert Woolson, 109 years old, slipped in and out of a coma at a Duluth, Minnesota, hospital, his memories as a Yankee drummer boy slowly dimming. Walter Williams, at 117 blind and deaf and bedridden in his daughter's home in Houston, Texas, no longer could tell of his time as a Confederate forage master. The last of the Blue and the Gray were drifting away; an era was ending.
Unknown to the public, centennial officials, and the White House too, one of these men was indeed a veteran of that horrible conflict and one according to the best evidence nothing but a fraud. One was a soldier. The other had been living a great, big lie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Last of the Blue and Gray about?
Richard Serrano, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the Los Angeles Times, pens a story of two veterans. In the late 1950s, as America prepared for the Civil War centennial, two very old men lay dying. Albert Woolson, 109 years old, slipped in and out of a coma at a Duluth, Minnesota, hospital, his memories as a Yankee drummer boy slowly dimming. Walter Williams, at 117 blind and deaf and bedridden in his daughter's home in Houston, Texas, no longer could tell of his time as a Confederate forage master. The last of the Blue and the Gray were drifting away; an era was ending.
Unknown to the public, centennial officials, and the White House too, one of these men was indeed a veteran of that horrible conflict and one according to the best evidence nothing but a fraud. One was a soldier. The other had been living a great, big lie.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Last of the Blue and Gray?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Last of the Blue and Gray?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781588343956
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Last of the Blue and Gray?
Richard A. Serrano
Who is the Publisher of the book Last of the Blue and Gray?
Smithsonian
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Last of the Blue and Gray is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781588343956) and ebook(ISBN 9781588343963)
Where can I buy Last of the Blue and Gray online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Last of the Blue and Gray from below
Where can I buy Last of the Blue and Gray?