In "The Old Soldier's Story: Poems and Prose Sketches," James Whitcomb Riley crafts a rich tapestry of verses and vignettes that evoke the intricacies of a soldier's life in a post-Civil War America. Riley employs a colloquial tone infused with deep emotional resonance, skillfully blending humor and pathos to depict the struggles and triumphs of veterans. This collection is notable not only for it...