Stonewall

Heroes in Time #1

by John J. Dwyer

A powerful work of historical fiction that dramatizes the romantic, brutal, and glorious life of Stonewall Jackson, one of the Civil War's greatest heroes.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Fiction, Christian Fiction

640 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

John J. Dwyer is a popular author and speaker and is Adjunct Professor of History at both Southern Nazarene University and Oklahoma City Community College. He is former history chair at a classical college preparatory school, newspaper publisher, and radio host. His books include the new novel When the Bluebonnets Come and the non-fiction historical narrative The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War, both from Bluebonnet Press; the historical novels Stonewall and Robert E. Lee from Broadman & Holman Publishers; and the upcoming historical narrative The Oklahomans: The Story of Oklahoma and Its People.

Reviews

[Jean Wilund]

I was so surprised to like this book as I have little interest in war memoirs, and I have to be honest but I I found it hard to comprehend that someone could have supported the "southern cause" and have a close walk with the Lord. This book actually changed my opinion. I never considered that there were soldiers who fought for the South who were not actually fighting for slavery. I'm not going to get into all of that here...just read it you'll see. But that's not why I loved this book. Stonewall's faith was quiet but powerful. I had no idea what a rough life he had growing up. It broke my heart, but God used that pain and loss to build his faith. Stonewall had such unflinching faith in God's sovereignty in his life that he possessed a bold courage in the midst of battle that I can't even imagine, but I think of it often and it gives me the courage I need at times.

I also love how this historical retelling of Stonewall's life is not a documentary but an action-filled novel that reads like fiction. It was surprisingly entertaining and inspiring.

[Heather]

I'm very interested in Stonewall Jackson, so I expected to like this book better than I did. I had no interest in the secondary focus on Margaret Junkins Preston. Cutting that stuff out would have saved a good chunk of the 600 pages. I wish there were more focus during the wartime, especially character interactions. There were multiple times that Lee's positive opinion on Stonewall was shared and it was like, "Why?" The author definitely engaged in showing and not telling there.

And there was the weird interest in telling the reader multiple times that Jackson and his wife were passionate in the bedroom, including two times in a row having people in neighboring rooms apparently able to overhear. Nothing explicit was said, but it was just weird.

I don't regret reading it, but I thought a lot of the book was okay rather than good.

[Barbara Grant]

What an amazing book! I knew very little about Stonewall Jackson but had heard bits and pieces about his life most of my life. I never understood how remarkable his faith and endurance throughout his troubled life were a legacy we all could be blessed by.

[Laurel Wolfe]

Couldn't even finish this book. I can take sappy for so long before I start getting nauseous.

[Veronica Perez]

Very good book.

[Gary]

Really enjoyed this book!

[Donna]

I had no idea Stonewall Jackson was such an interesting person. I had only recognized his name from history classes. The author wrote in depth about Jackson's life.

[Sally Cronkright]

This was a time when our country was torn apart. I learned that God does not take sides in war. He lives in the hearts of both. This war wasn't about slavery. Stonewall opposed slavery. I realize that our country isn't 'great' because God chose America. I believe we became a 'great' nation because of leaders like Stonewall who chose God first. If only we had leaders like this now. Who would dare to put their own lives at risk before the lives of their men. If so would we be sacrificing lives of young men and boys? Dwyer has an awesome a bility to put the reader right in the time and place. Incorporating scriptures thoughout-A hard one for me to put down.

[Suzannah]

A moving, detailed portrait of a truly great man. John J Dwyer writes with passion and humour, painting a vivid and gut-wrenching picture of war. There are some editorial issues--lots of exposition shoehorned into unlikely places, unevenness in style between Dwyer's writing and quotations from the actual historical characters, and a few groaners like "peaked" for "piqued" and "berthed" for "birthed", but that does little to damp the extraordinary power of a jawdropping bit of history.

Now I know why they call 'em 'the fighting men of Virginia.'

Looking forward to reading the sequel about Robert E Lee.

[Jessica]

An excellently written novel covering Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's life from the time he was a toddler to his death. Beautiful and tear-jerking! I absolutely loved this book! Before I read it I had no idea that he was married before he married Anna Jackson, and I had no idea that he knew the "Poetess of the Confederacy"!
Beautiful, and thought-provoking, this book will leave you thinking long after you close the last page!

[Karla M]

Dwyer really portrayed all aspects of Stonewall's life, including how this godly man used the aspects of war as a means of witnessing to his men. It is a good biography to use while studying civil war. I also liked the fact that the author uses challenging words to increase vocabulary.

[Sally Smith]

I read it because I wanted to know more about the man that I hear so much about - living in the village where he won his last victory. The writing may have been exceptional, however I didn't like the man from beginning to end.

[Bonnie]

A wonderful book about a great American general.
I truly believe the tide of the war changed after the events in The Wilderness. Lee lost an amazing leader and a man of faith, both in his God and his cause.

[Rosemary A.]

I must say that I didn't like the battle sections but Jackson was an interesting man.

[Kenneth Baird]

Great biographical novel of an uncommon man.

[Lindsey]

Love this book!

[Myron]

Great author. Super American icon, Thomas Jackson. Great read.

[LeaVa]

A writing showing the very spiritual side of Jackson