Reunion and reconciliation

In my search for ideas on how Private Hiraqm Terman might have dealt with his Civil War battle and prisoner of war experiences, I read Caroline Janney's new book REMEMBERING THE CIVIL WAR.  I found the book to be well researched and written in a way that held my attention.  The theme of the book centers on the difference between reunion and reconciliation and explores the perspectives of Union and Confederaate men and women. As I write the sequel to Hiram's Honor, I hope that the things I learned in this fine book will show up in the story.  

How Did Hiram Cope?

 

I came across a book entitled MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING by Holocaust survivor and psychologist Victor Frankl. In this fascinating book (it has sold over 10 million copies) Frankl describes how he was able to survive the test of the German concentration camps by looking on his suffering as an opportunity to find his identity and give meaning to his life. I read his emotional but reasonable descriptions hoping to find some ideas on how to write about how my ancestor might have coped with being an Andersonville survivor.  We will see what comes out when I write about Private Terman after Andersonville.