Those Times and These

"Those Times and These" by Irvin S. Cobb is a collection of insightful stories that take place in the South after the Civil War, probably written in the early 1900s, which introduces us to Judge Priest, a former Confederate soldier turned Kentucky judge, as told through lively stories. Seen from the perspective of a young, interested narrator, themes of friendship, fairness, and changes in society come to life. The collection begins with Judge Priest, remembered fondly as "Fightin' Billy," and Sergeant Jimmy Bagby sharing brave and funny stories of Mexico after the war, showing the strong bonds between soldiers as they reflect about a lost time rebuilding their lives.