Wednesday, October 13, 2010

David Hardin After the War: The Lives and Images of Major Civil War Figures After the Shooting Stopped


Those of us who grew up in the age of early television sometimes wonder whatever happened to this or that character. Often, a television program will feature 'grown up' child actors or 'older' adults who were our program favorites at one time.

But, whatever happened to some of the major figures that flashed across the Civil War screen? Post war stories of General Robert E. Lee, General Ulysses S. Grant, and Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln are rather familiar. In addition, our author, David Harden, has favored the reader with several personalities who have not been as well known. And, here in lies the enjoyment for the reader.

An off-hand remark by General Gordon would label, some say doom, Winnie Davis as the 'Daughter of the Confederacy'. And, who would become friends after their husbands passed away, Julia Grant and Varnia Davis. Libbie Custer's campaign on behalf of her husband's memory is well told and interesting, too.

Read the whole review by clicking here.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Bernard Cornwell The Fort: A Novel of the Revolutionary War


In the historical novel, The Fort, Bernard Cornwall brings the reader another tale of the American Revolution. Like the first historical novel, Rebel, it is set in the New England colonies, this time in eastern Massachusetts. The British needed a site to which Loyalists could seek sanctuary and where their navy could have a safe harbor. They chose Majabigtwaduce, a small settlement in the eastern part of Massachusetts.

Outraged, the leaders in Massachusetts determined to drive the British out. Toward that end they pulled together a fleet of over 40 vessels under the command of Commodore Dudley Saltonstall. With him, they also sent almost one thousand militia under the command of Major General Solomon Lovell. Upon the arrival of this expedition in Majabigtwaduce, they found a much smaller British force.

Click here to read the whole review.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Robert Brookover's Novel - Wish Is My Master: The Honor of Love


The first of a four-novel series, this opening story is set in pre-Civil War rural Georgia. Teenager George Yardley learns the life of a small farmer and leather worker from his father. Orphaned when his parents die in an epidemic, he moves to his aunt's home in nearby Atlanta.

There he meets Amy Frey of Atlanta. She is the beautiful daughter of a very rich commodity broker, Alexander Frey. He is a confidant of Jefferson Davis, Alexander Stephens and Robert Toombs.

Read the whole review.