Antietam

The Civil War Battle Series #3

by James Reasoner

The third volume in the Civil War Battle Series of novels spanning the war, Antietam brings the war to within view of the Brannon family farm in Culpeper County, Virginia. When the Federals intercept the Rebels near Antietam Creek, two of the Brannon brothers are brought together in the bloodiest trial of the war thus far.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Fiction, American Civil War, Historical, War, Military Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Debra]

This series is growing on me and it's been a nice distraction from life.

[Chris]

This was my list favorite in the series so far as the focus was on so many minor details of the battles and I felt it left out some of the drama from the Brennan Family. There was an intriguing wedding and having two brothers meet up at with Stonewall Jackson's and Lee's forces in the battles leading up to Antietam was brilliant. Every time I read something about this battle in the Civil War it makes me realize how brutal this time was in America.

[Porter]

Getting back into this series after several years, I found I could remember the characters well enough to understand what was going on. It is interesting that only one chapter ever deals with the battle that is the title of the book.

[Desirae]

The 2nd year of the Civil War serves as the setting for the story of the Brannon brothers, Will and Mac, fighting for the Confederacy in the Army of Northern Virginia. Right off the bat, it needs to be said that Antietam is very much a novel, not an historical account, although the battle sequences are reasonably accurate. Will Brannon was the first to enlist, and now serves as a captain in Stonewall Jackson's unit. Mac, now in possession of a princely stallion, decides to leave the family farm in the hands of his two younger brothers, and signs on with Jeb Stuart's cavalry. Told exclusively from the southern perspective, this installment in the series takes them through the months leading up to the battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg, which serves as the book's climax.

Historical fiction and nonfiction serve two different purposes, and readers looking for more than an engrossing story need to delve into nonfiction. It's fun to read a fictionalized version of the ways in which such icons as Jackson and Stuart might have interacted with and been regarded by their soldiers. Author Reasoner inserts a couple of new themes with a southerner who is a Union sympathizer, and a romantic interest for the widow Brannon, which work well as relief from the darker war intervals. Reasoner treats the horrific goriness of battle with respectful realism, and the reader expects the worst to happen to one or other of the brothers. Whether or not they survive this conflict remains to be seen.

[Sheryl]

I enjoyed the story of the Brannon family, with the exception of Titus' story line which was hard. However, the historical context of the series had a strong undertone of lost cause mythology.

I stumbled across this series when I learned my second great-grandfather was wounded fighting for the Union at Chickamauga. I enjoy learning history through stories (ala James Mitchener) so I checked out Reasoner's book about that battle, not realizing it was book seven in a 10-book series. Having been hooked by the story of the greater Brannon family, of course I had to read the entire series.

The story element of the series is top notch. The battle details are hard but necessary. And we also get to know Confederate leadership better. However, the causes of the war Reasoner suggests are pure Lost Cause mythology, as are portrayals of General U.S. Grant and all Yankees. The few Northern sympathizers are portrayed as evil, naive or misguided.

But the greatest Lost Cause error is the treatment of prisoners. Yes, Camp Douglas was bad and prisoner treatment was shameful. By all measures, Andersonville was worse. The death rates of both camps prove that. Overall POW death rates for Union POW's was 15.5% vs. 12% for Confederates. No doubt the gap would be wider if: 1) Union soldiers were in as poor condition as Confederates when taken; and 2) surrendering African-American Union soldiers murdered by Confederates were counted among the dead POW's.

While ignoring such evils, Reasoner is willing at least to portray some Southerners as flawed (though there's no hint that Nathan Bedford Forrest was once a slave trader and would go on to lead the Klu Klux Klan).

That said, I wish I could read more about the post-war greater Brannon family.

[Levi Borba]

After reading the two previous volumes (Manassas and Shiloh), I started to get more and more committed to discover the fate of the Brannon family during the Civil War. After Shiloh-the previous book-covers the western war theatre, Antietam goes back to the eastern front, taking the events from the Virginian valleys and mountains.
The only reason I drop one star from this book is that the romance part is quite unrealistic. All the romantic couples evolve at a speed that does not match the reality of the XIX century.

[Susan]

#3 in the series, set in the summer of 1862 in the midst of several Virginia battles; the two older Brannon brothers are in the thick of the fighting. Listening to this was difficult yet I was amazed at how many different ways Reasoner could describe war. The four star rating is because no matter how technical and strategic the descriptions were, the story remained grounded by the recounting of loyalty, bravery, and character.

[Christopher Harris]

The historical detail is amazing. The bloodiest single day in American History and the idea that the battle is the last thing that happens in the story. That is something that is a change as many of these stories are the leaders of the army building up and completing the strategy for the battle. This one is following people who do not make the choices for the battles, the main characters. This is something that I have enjoyed very much.

[MARY]

This was another good book in the series about the Brannon family during the civil war. In this number 3 book culminating in the battle of Antietam which was one of the bloodiest days in american history if not the bloodiest, resulting in 23000 deaths. On the bright side one of the boys Titus married the girl he loved and Mom welcomed both boys back home after the battle. She had kicked the oldest one out. Only seven more books to go.

[T.S. Folke]

Another pedestrian entry into this mundane and shabby series. This little cos the boots of Shara and Cornwell. But let me chocolate, I am hooked and must finish each bite. I shall wait at least 2 weeks to breath before opening book #4.

[Sharon]

I wanted to read this series in its entirety but the battles droned on and on in such detail with this one that after about 2/3 way through, I gave up and skimmed through the rest. I love reading about the Civil War but I think these are written more for men.

[Lloyd Hinkle]

The author presents how the events of the Civil War effect a family in Virginia. This approach to the history of the Civil War gives it more meaning

[Matthew Main]

Good continuation of the series, would have liked to read more about the actual battle of Antietam Creek.

[Robert Williams]

Third book of this historical fiction series following one Southern family and their journey during the War Between the States. Interesting and informative.

[Diana Maculan]

Audio version,excellent narration

[William Richardson]

Love this series. Good story and history put together. Looking forward to continuing reading and enjoying.

[Mary]

I am hooked on this series. The one thing these books lack is maps. With the characters moving around, it would aid a non-Virginian to follow the travels and better understand the distances involved.

[Linda]

The 2nd year of the Civil War serves as the setting for the story of the Brannon brothers, Will and Mac, fighting for the Confederacy in the Army of Northern Virginia. Right off the bat, it needs to be said that Antietam is very much a novel, not an historical account, although the battle sequences are reasonably accurate. Will Brannon was the first to enlist, and now serves as a captain in Stonewall Jackson's unit. Mac, now in possession of a princely stallion, decides to leave the family farm in the hands of his two younger brothers, and signs on with Jeb Stuart's cavalry. Told exclusively from the southern perspective, this installment in the series takes them through the months leading up to the battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg, which serves as the book's climax.

Historical fiction and nonfiction serve two different purposes, and readers looking for more than an engrossing story need to delve into nonfiction. It's fun to read a fictionalized version of the ways in which such icons as Jackson and Stuart might have interacted with and been regarded by their soldiers. Author Reasoner inserts a couple of new themes with a southerner who is a Union sympathizer, and a romantic interest for the widow Brannon, which serve well as relief from the darker war intervals. Reasoner treats the horrific goriness of battle respectful realism, and the reader expects the worst to happen to one or other of the brothers. Whether or not they survive this conflict remains to be seen.

Antietam is an entertaining novel for Civil War buffs, but if you're looking for scholarly info, you'll need to look elsewhere.

[CMG (Mac)]

I think I will pause on reading this series - I found myself tuning out on the battle and strategy scenes. As usual, I liked the book because I learned something but find the plot/storyline especially the romance parts a bit juvenile.

Synopsis: at this point Brannon Brothers Corey, Will and Mack (Dad loved Shakespeare) are all in the Civil War. This one features both Mack and Will’s battles and Mack’s spectacular stallion as well.
The South wins some and loses some. Weather, fatigue, bad strategy, delayed decisions impact the soldiers abilities and outcomes. The chasm is escalated with Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation. Sadly, one day of fierce fighting in North Virginia results in the highest casualties of the war with no clear winner. Back home, their devout mom is in a flirtation with the new preacher, Cordelia has feelings for a bookworm friend until they start to divide over some fundamental beliefs and Titus persistently pursuing his spoiled rich girl with a mean mean father gains some traction. Little brother doesn’t feature at all. The union forces unfortunately come to town.

[Linda Munro]

The third novel in the Civil War series introduces the reader to Titus Brennan; who proves that a poor farmer can marry the girl of his dreams, the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner. The tale also takes the reader along the trails of Will and Mac Brennan, a Captain of the Confederate infantry and a member of the Confederate Cavalry. The paths of the two brother crisscross and battle and skirmish leads them to Sharpsburg, Maryland and the Battle of Antietam.

[Joseph Carames]

I did not know this was an historical fiction, with the focus on the drama of a southern family and its involvement with the southern cause.I did like it and may well check out the others in this series. That also is not clear - that James Reasoner wrot what is now 10 books with th same famiily and its civil war story. More impressions to help me understand the civil war and the may passions involved. Though the cause remains - slavery.

[Debbie]

Another good episode in the series. In this one, focused mainly on Will and Mac, the brothers fight throught VA eventually ending up at the battle of Antietam (single bloodiest day in the Civil War). I would have liked a little more about what was happening back at the farm but that may be in the next one.

[Josh]

Great continuation of the series. Mostly involves Mack and Will but also showcases Titus.

[Hank Pharis]

I'm not learning as much about the Civil War from these as I thought but I am definitely enjoying the stories.

[Rob Sobieck]

a good book about the war. I truly loved the civil war era.