A Diary from Dixie


Read by Laurie Anne Walden

(4.7 stars; 118 reviews)

Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut, a well-educated South Carolina woman who was married to a Confederate general, kept extensive journals during the Civil War. Mrs. Chesnut moved in elite circles of Southern society and had a keen interest in politics. Her diary is both an important historical document and, because of her sharp wit and often irreverent attitude, a fascinating window into Southern society of the time. This recording is of the first published edition of the diary, edited by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary and compiled from Mrs. Chesnut's revisions of her original journals. (Summary by Laurie Anne Walden) (14 hr 32 min)

Chapters

00 - Introduction by I. Martin and M. Avary 19:31 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
01 - Ch. I. Charleston, SC 10:18 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
02 - Ch. II. Montgomery, AL 32:13 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
03 - Ch. III. Charleston, SC 45:07 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
04 - Ch. IV. Camden, SC 10:12 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
05 - Ch. V. Montgomery, AL 19:50 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
06 - Ch. VI. Charleston, SC 22:51 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
07 - Ch. VII. Richmond, VA 18:48 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
08 - Ch. VIII. Fauquier White Sulphur Springs, VA 8:43 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
09 - Ch. IX. Richmond, VA, Part 1 31:07 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
10 - Ch. IX. Richmond, VA, Part 2 33:03 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
11 - Ch. IX. Richmond, VA, Part 3 31:16 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
12 - Ch. X. Camden, SC 7:50 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
13 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 1 20:21 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
14 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 2 22:46 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
15 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 3 20:15 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
16 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 4 20:09 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
17 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 5 17:18 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
18 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 6 19:31 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
19 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 7 19:17 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
20 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 8 14:16 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
21 - Ch. XI. Columbia, SC, Part 9 14:03 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
22 - Ch. XII. Flat Rock, NC 11:37 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
23 - Ch. XIII. Portland, AL 26:40 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
24 - Ch. XIV. Richmond, VA 23:17 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
25 - Ch. XV. Camden, SC 24:42 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
26 - Ch. XVI. Richmond, VA, Part 1 26:00 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
27 - Ch. XVI. Richmond, VA, Part 2 24:41 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
28 - Ch. XVI. Richmond, VA, Part 3 20:37 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
29 - Ch. XVI. Richmond, VA, Part 4 22:47 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
30 - Ch. XVI. Richmond, VA, Part 5 19:02 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
31 - Ch. XVII. Camden, SC 18:18 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
32 - Ch. XVIII. Columbia, SC, Part 1 24:51 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
33 - Ch. XVIII. Columbia, SC, Part 2 20:56 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
34 - Ch. XVIII. Columbia, SC, Part 3 21:08 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
35 - Ch. XIX. Lincolnton, NC, Part 1 28:00 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
36 - Ch. XIX. Lincolnton, NC, Part 2 20:52 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
37 - Ch. XX. Chester, SC, Part 1 18:42 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
38 - Ch. XX. Chester, SC, Part 2 18:12 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
39 - Ch. XXI. Camden, SC, Part 1 20:44 Read by Laurie Anne Walden
40 - Ch. XXI. Camden, SC, Part 2 22:38 Read by Laurie Anne Walden

Reviews


(5 stars)

You don't have to be a Civil War buff to find this book richly informative, unexpectedly touching, and deeply revealing. Mary Chesnut, well-educated, observant and insightful, and a good writer, knew most of the political and military leaders of the Confederacy and shares intimate impressions, opinions, and experiences throughout the book. The reader is a pleasure to listen to with her assured command of pronunciation, even delivery, and soft, lyrical accent, which made this listener feel at times that he was listening to Mrs. Chesnut herself.

A Diary from Dixie


(4.5 stars)

Enlightening, first person , real time experiences of a well read southern belle with a bright mind and quick wit, it informs us of what complicated a conflict the Civil War was and what a terrible loss of life it wrought. Well read!

An excellent recording


(5 stars)

This is a memoir, written by the wife of a senior military officer fighting for the South in the American Civil War. As the South’s fortunes collapse, she retreats toward the centre of Confederate power, and sees the trappings of her affluent lifestyle stripped away. She is, to a modern reader, clearly on the wrong side of history, but her justifications for slavery and the attack on Fort Sumter are made all the more interesting by her alieness. The Librivox reader is tremendously successful, absolutely convincing as Chesnut’s voice. This review was first posted on <a href="https://gcbooks.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">book coasters</a>

Arrogance personified


(5 stars)

It was Mary Chestnut who says in Chapter 1, "we are divorced from the Union, North and South, because we hate each other so much." I swear that I'm hearing Ms. Chestnut reading her own diary, not Ms. Walden, as the arrogance of this "stately" Southern aristocrat is just perfect.


(5 stars)

As a diarist, Mary Chesnut had a rare gift of bestowing the where, what, who, and when of her daily circumstances; it's as if I were sitting beside her, observing what she observed and enjoying her analysis. As well, Ms. Walden has given us Mrs. Chesnut's own voice. Exquisitely done!

Great reader!


(5 stars)

The reader has such a beautiful voice, I love her accent. Well read, thank you! The book was pretty interesting. it's easy to forget about a war fought in familiar places. I can only imagine how difficult the times were.


(5 stars)

Thank you to the reader for she transported the listener to the 1860’s & taught her the opinions of life then & there by an surprisingly engrossing tale in diary form.

Moving and deep insights...


(5 stars)

The lady who reads it does an excellent job. The story is quite sad but also fascinating like all honest war stories. It is very well written.