Rifles for Watie was published in 1957, nearly a century after the end of the Civil War. How does the book use a historical narrative to address its contemporary audience at the time of publication? What do you think the book is saying?

Choose one of the historical figures in the novel to research. How did the author change and adapt the figure as a character? How do those adaptations serve the overall meaning of the story?

How did the book challenge or reinforce your preconceived notions about the Civil War? What surprised you? What didn’t surprise you? Use specific textual evidence.