This course will introduce you to a cast of Confederate politicians and military leaders using authentic documents and manuscripts. Although most of these characters are footnotes in dusty history books, they were well known in their day. Their accomplishments, fates and personal stories should prove of interest to us today.

Convener: Al Ottens is a former professor of counseling at NIU and has presented several LLI classes. He’s had a life-long interest in Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. His book, General John A. Rawlins: No Ordinary Man, recently received the Army Historical Foundation’s distinguished writing award for biography.

The NIU Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), established in 2000, is a member-directed group of individuals primarily age 50 plus who enjoy learning in informal, flexible, non-competitive groups and like connecting with peers who share their interests. No grades, no tests – just Learning for the Fun of It.