The Bonfire

The Siege and Burning of Atlanta

By: Marc Wortman

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

Length: 16 hrs

Publisher's summary

The destruction of Atlanta is an iconic moment in American history - it was the centerpiece of the hugely successful book and movie Gone with the Wind. But though the epic sieges of Leningrad, Stalingrad, and Berlin have all been explored in best-selling histories, the one great American example has been treated only cursorily as a footnote. Marc Wortman remedies that conspicuous absence in grand fashion with The Bonfire, an absorbing narrative history told through the points of view of key participants, both Confederate and Union.

©2009 Marc Wortman (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The Bonfire is a tour de force of American Civil War history...." (Debby Applegate, Pulitzer Prize - winning author)
"The Bonfire stands out for its focus on the experience of Atlantans themselves. Marc Wortman's vivid narrative proves that war is indeed hell." (James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era)

Rich Civil War History

I have read extensively of the American Civil as a student. This book has added to my understanding of a very violent and heroic period. The author has laid an excellent foundation for the development, growth, decline, and renewal all within the context of the Civil War. The narrator was quite interesting and kept this difficult story moving. This was a great read with many side points necessary to the over understanding of the role of Atlanta and the main character Mayor Calhoun. I enjoyed this book.

Couldn't disagree more

I couldn't possibly disagree the previous reviewer more. I think that the narration was outstanding and that this was a great buy. More than just a telling of the story of the burning of Atlanta, it is much more comprehensive, relating the history of Atlanta and the background of the main characters. I enjoyed this very much and would highly recommend it.

Anthony Heald is excellent as a Southerner.

I wish he would narrate more Civil War books. His feel for the regional accents, cadences, and attitudes is clearly well-defined and also relished.

An Epic Story

Wortman tells the story behind the story of Sherman's battle for the heart of the Confederacy—Atlanta. Personal experiences characterize the telling so the reader has intimate relations with Yankees, Rebs, shop keepers, slaves, news media, government officials, generals and artillery captains. The scenes are vivid and the drama tense. Wortman is a master.

I was disappointed in the narrator who attempted to depict the southerners' accent and sense of anger or outrage. Not helpful.

Disappointing Presentation

As an avid reader and listener of many books covering the War Between the States, I looked forward to a long highway drive from Boston to Atlanta as a chance to listen to this book. The reader, unfortunately, was so distracting and irritating in his presentation and over dramatization of the book that I finally gave up half way through and switched to another selection. I am a long time customer and have never had this happen before. This reader is flat out annoying. A waste of money to me as I will have to buy the book to read after having spent money to listen to it.