Sour provides an extensive review of the book “Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten: How Hollywood and Popular Art Shape What We Know about the Civil War” written by Gary W. Gallagher, in which he analyzes four themes: the Lost Cause, the Union Cause, the Emancipation Cause and the Reconciliation Cause.  The Lost Cause refers to “downplays the importance of slavery and stresses Confederate gallantry against great odds.”  The Union Cause refers to “illegality of secession and the bravery of those who fought it” while the Emancipation Cause means the war to end slavery.  Lastly, the Reconciliation Cause praises the unification of the nation after the hostility toward each other.  He argues that although films often depict these concepts, the most effectively portrayed is often the Lost Cause.  Many Hollywood films fail to express the other three concepts, especially the Emancipation Cause, in which Gallagher wishes to achieve appreciation for the Northern soldiers for fighting in the Civil War. 

Sour, TWT. “Cinematic script as history; Book shows how films shape popular understanding of period.” The Washington Times 1 Mar. 2008: D03.

Helen Taylor's "Scarlett's Women: Gone With the Wind and its Female Fans" shows how Gone with the Wind still has a profounding effect in the media world and how much of an impact the book/film can bring to the audience both emotionally and intellectually.  Taylor writes that the press regularly presents articles on Gone with the Wind; educational materials also feature Gone with the Wind.  This "Gone with the Wind madness" seems endless.  In addition, throughout the book, Taylor includes various anecdotes and "testimonies" from various viewers/readers who have seen/read Gone with the Wind and showed their reactions to the piece.  She argues that the viewers/readers' amusement toward the film/book affected their emotions.  She also includes biographical information of the stars of the movie in the book.

Taylor, Helen. Scarlett's Women: Gone with the Wind and Its Female Fans. Rutgers, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1989.