Title: Pathway to hell : a tragedy of the American Civil War /
Authors: Brandt, Dennis W., 1946-
Publisher: Lehigh University Press,
Year: 2008
Subjects: Crapsey, Angelo M.,; Crapsey, Angelo M., Mental health.; Crapsey, Angelo M., Death and burial.; Soldiers Pennsylvania Biography.; Veterans Pennsylvania Biography.; Veterans Mental health United States Case studies.; Post-traumatic stress disorder United States Case studies.; Suicide United States Case studies.; United States History Psychological aspects Case studies.; United States History Health aspects Case studies.
Abstract: "Shell shock, battle fatigue, posttraumatic stress disorder, lacking moral courage-different terms for the same mental condition and a haunting presence in wars throughout history. This is the unique story of one young Pennsylvanian, Angelo M. Crapsey, who marched off to war with a patriotic chip on his shoulder only to stagger home two years later under the crushing burden that war had imposed on him. The specter of psychological destruction has marched beside all soldiers in all wars, forever standing at the ready to ravish minds. The topic became much too familiar to the American public in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. As veterans of World War II and Korea reach their advanced years, many of them are purging themselves of half-century-long nightmares. Sadly, we continue to fill casebooks with new stories of psychological damage inflicted on those now struggling in Iraq and Afghanistan.^