With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander

 

With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander  421 pages

So, normally I am not pulled in to anything Civil War, but this is a very good story.  The author has done a lot of research, therefore many of the characters are based on real people.  It transports you back to a time that was unimaginable.  Lizzie is a governess in a stately southern home.  One day that started out normal ended with a battle taking place right outside.  Their home quickly becomes a make shift hospital.  She ends up helping the surgeon with so many amputations she gave up counting.  Lizzie has such an empathetic heart that all of the soldiers quickly fall in love with her.  Through her kindness and mild spirit many of them recover. Others pass away with her holding their hand and speaking softly to them.  So many are just young boys.  In the end she finally gets her reward.  I enjoyed it very much.

A Minute To Midnight by David Baldacci

A Minute To Midnight by David Baldacci-418 pages

This is the second installment in the Atlee Pine series.  She is one super tough FBI agent.   While in her old hometown, some horrific murders take place.  She is there with her assistant Carol to try to solve her own family mystery from 30 years ago when she was only six.  She makes some startling discoveries about the parents that she thought she knew.  I HIGHLY recommend any and all of his books.  I cannot wait for the next one.

Robicheaux by James Lee Burke

Robicheaux by James Lee Burke - 464 pages
Book 21 in the series

Dave Robicheaux is an iconic character brought to life by an amazing writer.  Even though this is book 21 in the series the characters are still fresh and Burke's lyrical writing is astounding.

Dave's struggles with alcoholism and reconciling his past with the present are at the forefront in this book.  An antique sword from the Civil War becomes a linchpin for violence that tears relationships apart  The story was beautifully told but at times it feels heavy just from all the weight Dave is carrying around with him.  He's just so very tired...

The plot centers around crime bosses, a famous writer, and the filming of a Hollywood movie in Dave's town.  It can be read at two levels since James Lee Burke in real life has been somewhat reticent to have his books adapted into movies and hasn't always seemed pleased with the results. 

Rebel Yell, the Violence, Passion and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson

Rebel Yell, the Violence, Passion and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson

By S. C. Gwynne

Pages 672

Stonewall Jackson was a popular Confederate General during the American Civil War. He was an accomplished military tactician, who greatly aided the Southern cause. That is until he was accidentally shot by his own Confederate troops.  In this biography, one will become acquainted with the man, behind the uniform. It is well written and enjoyable to read.

The Man who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace

The Man who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace

by H.W. Brands

718 pages

This is a very enjoyable biography which covers the entire life of Ulysses Grant. The author concentrated on the personal traits of Grant which includes likability, trust worthiness, and compassion for others. 

The Ideals Guide to American Civil War Places by Julie Shively

The Ideals Guide to American Civil War Places by Julie Shively-272 pages

This was an interesting read. I knew about many of the historic sites and places mentioned, but there were a few new to me, so that made it worth while. I worked for a summer at one of the places mentioned (Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee) and have visited several others, but I have yet to visit any in the east and I really want to go to Gettysburg, Antietam, and to all the sites in Virginia. I wanted to read this not only because it meets the travel requirement for this month but also because I am somewhat of a Civil War expert/historian and I have visited and want to visit many of the sites detailed in this volume.
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A Chain of Thunder by Jeff Shaara

A Chain of Thunder by Jeff Shaara (audiobook)-562 pages in print

I enjoyed listening to this on audiobook, though the reader's presentation of some of the characters is a bit disappointing and it is 22 hours long. This is a novelization of the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi by the Union Army in 1863, culminating with the surrender of the Confederate Army on July 4, 1863. I really like Shaara's portrayal of Fritz "Dutchie" Bauer, a Private on the front lines and his portrayal of Lucy Spence, a young, single civilian woman in Vicksburg, as well as his portrayals of Generals Sherman and Pemberton. I really like Shaara's humanization of these historical events and his portrayal of the key figures involved in them. This might actually be my favorite Jeff Shaara novel so far, although I do like them all, to a degree.

The Fateful Lightning by Jeff Shaara

The Fateful Lightning by Jeff Shaara-615 pages

I enjoyed reading this novelization of Sherman's March to the Sea. The characterization and humanization of Generals Sherman and Hardee, and Captain Seeley are intriguing. Additionally, Shaara's presentation of a freed slave named Franklin is most intriguing, though a bit stereotypical. I like the way Shaara chooses a few people to follow throughout the events and attempts to humanize these historical events. In many ways, he succeeds, which is why I so enjoy reading his novels. One thing I found disappointing about this particular novel, though, is that he leaves Franklin's story hanging. He spends a lot of time developing Franklin's character and then leaves the reader hanging a bit (although he does include an ending in his Afterword). One other small complaint I have is that he includes one chapter on General William B. Hazen when it is necessary, but does not develop his character at all and includes nothing about him in the Afterword. Overall, though, I liked this novel just as well as every Shaara novel I have read so far.

Dances with Wolves - Michael Blake

Dances with Wolves - Michael Blake - 304 pages

SPOILER ALERT: Kevin Costner's butt is not in this book.

If you're still in, this Western is actually pretty great.  Blake tells the story of a post-Civil War soldier sent into the far reaches of the Western frontier.  When he arrives at his new post, he finds the fort deserted.  He's alone on the prairie, aside from his trusty horse Cisco (who, spoiler alert, DIES, so if you're sensitive about awesome fictional animals dying, here's a friendly heads up) and a lone wolf he names Two Socks.  But despite the initial isolation, something about the prairie calls to this sensitive soldier, and meeting the people who live there only deepens his resolve to become the man he believes himself to be.

There's more to this story than just what you saw in the movie.  Stands with a Fist in particular gets significantly more backstory and so do her adopted brethren.  A different end makes this a familiar read with refreshing changes.

The Smoke at Dawn: A Novel of the Civil War by Jeff Shaara

The Smoke at Dawn: A Novel of the Civil War by Jeff Shaara-495 pages

I enjoyed reading this one a lot. It is a novelization of the Battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge (a.k.a. the Battles for Chattanooga). I have been to Lookout Mountain and it is a sight to see. To my knowledge, the novel is as historically accurate as a novelization can be. Jeff Shaara is becoming one of my favorite authors. He takes history and humanizes it in an intriguing, attention-grabbing way. Both books of his that I have read have been page-turners. I like that he focuses on a few of the key figures and tells the story from each of their perspectives. I am somewhat of a Civil War "expert," though, so I realize his books aren't for everyone.

A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara

A Blaze of Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Shiloh by Jeff Shaara-435 pages

This is Shaara's novelization of the bloody Battle of Shiloh. I wanted to read this because I have seen the films Gettysburg and Gods and Generals several times, which are based on novels written by him (and/or his father). Additionally, I was a Visitor Use Assistant/Park Ranger at Shiloh National Military Park for 11 weeks during the summer of 2010 and actually worked under and with some of the people mentioned as sources for the novel. It's cool to read a novelization on a battle I know quite a bit about and it is a pretty accurate novelization. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and really want to read the rest of Shaara's Civil War novels.

The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot

The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot - 348 pages

In this novel by Tracy Groot, inhuman acts and their impacts are shown.  Using fiction to tell a story, Groot shows how the Andersonville Prison in Civil War Georgia had horrific conditions and how most Southerners had the mindset mistreating the prisoners was okay.  That said, a small group of citizens protested the conditions and did what they had to in order to help. 

Reading about the conditions in Andersonville reminded me of the conditions the Jews faced in the concentration camps.  However, those that took a stand show another side to the story; one of placing good before evil despite persecution. In all, I was happy with this book and thought it was well-written.

Mrs. Lincoln's Rival by Jennifer Chiaverini

Mrs. Lincoln's Rival by Jennifer Chiaverini - 419 pages

Mrs. Lincoln's Rival is the third of Chiaverini's nonofficial "Women of the Civil War" series (Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker and The Spymistress being the others).  In this novel, the woman followed during the war years is Miss Kate Chase, daughter of Salmon P. Chase who first served as Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  As Mr. Chase was a widower, Kate, his eldest daughter, served as his confidant and lady of the house.  Also detailed is Kate's friendship with Lincoln's secretary, John Hay, and her turbulent courtship and marriage to Rhode Island governor turned senator William Sprague.

This book was okay, but it "felt" more like a soap opera and I think Chiaverini made Kate overly wise, as Kate was only 17-22 over the book's course.

The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini - 355 pages

The Spymistress is the fictionalized account of a real Union spy during the Civil War.  Elizabeth "Lizzie" Van Lew and her family are staunch Unionists in Confederate Richmond during the War Between the States.  Every adult member of the family does what they can to help the Union cause, but none so more than Lizzie.  Initially, she begins her assistance with tending to the sick and wounded Union prisoners held within Richmond under the ruse of Christian charity.  Soon she begins to learn information from these men and passes it along.  Soon thereafter, Lizzie steps up her efforts by placing slaves/servants loyal to her in important positions, such as becoming Jefferson Davis' maid, and assisting escaping prisoners.  All the information gathered is sent northward.

This was a great book.  Besides the fictionalized parts of the story, the historical elements were worked in well.  We learn about Lizzie's real life and there are mentions of the various battles and civilian struggles (including rationing) and their effects on the populace of Richmond are fitted in where appropriate. 

The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

By Frederick Douglass

752 pages

At the end of his biography, Frederick Douglass contributes his life as a reformer, orator, writer and abolitionist as partly due to luck, for he was introduced to influential abolitionist a few years after his escape from slavery. He was a modest man whose influence in the antislavery movement was center stage during the height of the conflict.  

His description of this life was written in 1881. However, Douglass had written two previous autobiographies. This work was more comprehensively, for it covered his escape from slavery and his life during the Civil War. Previously he would not write about his escape for it could cause himself and his family peril.

It is an excellent read and very inspiring. I would recommend it to anyone. 

Outlaw Tales of Missouri: True Stories of the Show Me State's Most Infamous Crooks, Culprits, and Cutthroats

Outlaw Tales of Missouri: True Stories of the Show Me State's Most Infamous Crooks, Culprits, and Cutthroats by Sean Mclachlan 2009 149 pages

This book is a series of tales from the 1820s counterfeiting to mob hits in the 1930s. The Civil War and it's aftermath was a particularly fruitful time in the wilds of Missouri. Slicker wars, Quantrell's raiders, the James gang all provide interesting stories worth the time spent reading this fun book.

Sean Mclachlan, the author of this book, is a Missouri resident and has a master's degree in both archaeology and journalism.

Civil War, by Mark Millar

Civil War, by Mark Millar, 208 pages

Marvel Civil War was a crossover series within the Marvel universe, but this volume provides background to why it started.  When a group of untrained "superheroes" take on super villains way out of their league, they accidentally kill hundreds of innocent bystanders.  Tony Stark (Iron Man) sides with most citizens, the government, SHIELD, and some other superheroes (notably Reed Richards) in believing that superheroes should be licensed and trained, as well as registered with their true identities, in order to prevent rogue, untrained superheroes from future devastation.  Captain America, however, and many of the superheroes with secret identities, feel that it is an invasion of their privacy and that they are being asked to compromise the way they've been "heroing" for decades.  These two sides become even more polarized when superheroes are killed, traps are set, and prisons are filled.  It is thought-provoking, and references a great deal of characters that the average reader might not know or be familiar with.

Honor's Kingdom by Owen Parry

Honor's Kingdom by Owen Parry - 328 pages.

A good read in the Abel Jones Civil War mystery series. Jones finds himself in London investigating increasingly confusing murders and other criminal behavior. The depiction of 1860’s London is not pretty – the deprivation and hardship endured by the poor are all too realistically portrayed. While the storyline gets fairly convoluted it’s still entertaining, especially Jones’ struggles to maintain propriety, cameos by famous members of society of the time and many literary in-jokes.

Call Each River Jordan by Owen Parry

Call Each River Jordan by Owen Parry - 321 pages.
Another excellent entry in the Abel Jones Civil War mystery series. While the plots are quite good, the writing style makes these books standouts. This title begins by plunking the reader right down into the middle of the bloody Battle of Shiloh, as Jones begins investigating the mass murder of runaway slaves. Atmosphere, characterization, steady pacing all combine to make it a topnotch read. Just got the next book in the series today - can't wait to start it!