I never knew how much I could love audio theater until I was introduced to Heirloom Audio Productions. We were offered the opportunity to review their new drama, With Lee in Virginia, and I had very high hopes. I am happy to report, it did not disappoint! With high production quality, well known, talented actors (including Sean Astin, Kirk Cameron, and the amazing Jim Weiss), and an interesting story from history, we were captivated.
With Lee in Virginia follows fifteen year old Vincent Wingfield as he navigates life in Virginia during the secession of the states, the beginning of the American Civil War. He joins the Army of Northern Virginia as sees firsthand the trials, inner and outer, of the Confederate generals as they go into war. We hear General Robert E. Lee’s conversations with his wife and his God as he struggles to do the right thing for his family, his troops, and his country.
The Civil War can be a very sensitive topic. Like most wars, this one can’t be divided into “good guys” and “bad guys,” though sometimes that’s how we try to rewrite it (whoever won gets to be the good guy). This drama addresses all the reasons behind the Confederacy’s decision to secede. It doesn’t sugarcoat slavery. Slaves are referred to as “property,” and we witness a bad slave owner, who treats his slaves in inhumane ways, but the main character is sympathetic to the plight of the slaves. I appreciate a look at the Confederacy that shows their other reasons for fighting, and shows that not everyone was an evil slave owner.
Heirloom Audio Productions is a Christian company, and they advertise their products towards Christian families, but you don’t need to be Christian to appreciate this drama. As with their last product I reviewed, I felt With Lee in Virginia tells the story of historical figures who were Christian, and their faith is part of their story. Yes, we hear General Lee pray, because the real General Lee did pray. That’s a fact. The drama didn’t skew every single moment into a chance to shove faith down the listener’s throat. It tells a true story and includes the faith bits. To me, this is fair and accurate, and I think as secular homeschoolers my family can get as much out of it as Christian homeschoolers.
This two and a half hour drama comes on a physical CD set. We broke it down into about thirty minute increments and listened to it over a week with breakfast. I expected my Big Boy (9) to be most interested, as he really enjoys learning about the Civil War, but it was Little Man (7) who was utterly fascinated. He loved it! He didn’t want it to end each day. He loved the action and drama, and he really soaked it all up.
When you purchase the CD, you receive a nearly fifty page study guide download. The study guide is broken down into acts, and it tells you where those acts can be found in your listening (for instance, one topic on the study guide is “The Boys Enlist (Part 1),” which is found on Disc 1, Track 8). The study guide offers open ended questions to discuss what you heard in that section. It also offers words to define which are found in that listening, and questions to push your learning further and think critically. The study guide also has maps and short biographies of the Confederate generals and G.A. Henty, the author whose work this drama is based upon.
Heirloom Audio Productions has created another audio drama winner. The quality of the production is amazing, and the acting is so great that it’s easy to forget you’re only listening, not actually seeing the exchanges. It is captivating, sensitive, and great for auditory learners.
