Gideon's Call

by Peter Leavell

Author Peter Leavell forges an unprecedented tale of tragedy and triumph amid the backdrop of the Civil War through the story of Tad, a very clever slave boy who comes of age as America’s war reaches the sea islands of South Carolina. Tad’s desire to better himself is obstructed by the color of his skin, until Northern soldiers force the evacuation of white plantation owners, setting 10,000 slaves free in a single day. These circumstances seem like a dream, except that the newly freed slaves have no money, no education, and little hope for the future—unless someone rises up to lead them. Based on true events, Gideon’s Call is the dramatic tale of a young man who battles the shame of his past and faces the horrors of war and unimaginable prejudice to become the deliverer of thousands of freed slaves.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest. He is winner of the 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. For entertainment, he reads historical books, where he finds ideas for new novels. Whenever he has a chance, he takes his wife and two homeschooled children on crazy but fun research trips. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.

Reviews

[Sarah Sundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweeping story of an intriguing sidebar of Civil War history. Leavell's impeccable research and excellent writing highlights some of history's quieter heroes.

[Amanda Tero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, I am reviewing a book with mixed feelings. I'll explore every aspect in hopes of being thorough.

Historical - this by far felt like one of the most well-researched novels I've read. I am still learning much about the Civil War, so I'll confess my knowledge isn't historian-level. But the whole book proved close research of the war in South Carolina. Occasionally, it felt like the history, while interesting, interfered with the story or felt just thrown in (like, "was the only reason they mentioned that low-hanging branch once in the story [and spent 1 1/2 pages on it] just to give that historical tidbit?").

Setting - I could very well feel the setting. The swampy heat of the south or bustling streets of Boston. In this way it was easy to experience the era.

Characters - I admired the characters I was supposed to admire (Tad, Pierce, Laura) and greatly disliked the characters I was supposed to dislike (French, Montgomery). I don't particularly care for fictionalizing historical characters such as Lincoln, Ms. Towne, Mr. Pierce (and the dozens of other real-name characters). So while I enjoyed their interaction, I also couldn't let myself fully relax into the story (my brain likes all facts to be accurate: "Did they really have this conversation in this attitude and demeanor?"). When it came to presenting the beliefs and viewpoints of characters, I found it great -- the slaves felt real, the stubborn public believable.

Story flow - here is where the first part my rating is lowered. I understand the limitations of writing historical fiction, keeping accurate to the timeline. Because of this, the story sometimes felt meandering or characters' goals not quite refined. I was fully interested in Tad and Pierce and their movements, but sometimes it felt a little stiff.

Romance - there was romance as part of life, some kisses (more in the beginning, actually), but overall it was super mild and not the main aspect of the story.

Spiritual - now for the main reason I hesitate on my rating... In short, the spiritual aspect of this was confusing. It appears that the author made every effort to accurately portray the thought-processes and beliefs of every party, with which he did do well. However, it is never fully clear which belief is the RIGHT Biblical belief. One character presents the Gospel, but it is brushed over. Another character tells the soldiers that, since they died fighting for the cause that God would accept them with His arms open wide. Yet another character believes it is his good works that merits salvation. So, it appears to be a more ecumenical novel and I personally prefer a novel that clearly presents truths (not that it avoids other beliefs, but that it gives a definite Biblical answer of what is correct). I would not recommend this to someone who is not grounded in their faith.

Overall - I appreciated this novel because of the historical richness. I would say that is the strongest point. However... it wasn't a novel that I just adore and would read over and over. It's not that I don't recommend it; it just depends on your interest.

[Sydney Avey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading Gideon's Call right now and find it engaging in the same that way that Remarkable Creatures engaged me. That is, it makes me care about a period of history that normally wouldn't draw my attention. Peter transforms historical (and fictional) Civil War era characters into warm bodies that I care about and learn from.

"Energy and persistence conquer all things, or says our famed Benjamin Franklin. So action will be the order of the day," Mr. Pierce tells a runaway who comes to him for help, and then he lays out a plan. Words as relevant today as they are appropriate to that scene.

I met Peter at Write for the Soul last year. His passion for history and story telling is catching. This is good story telling.

[Karen Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at freed slaves during the Civil War. Leavell's writing makes history come alive! Highly recommended.

[Ane Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gideon's Call is a masterful weaving of fact and fiction, making history come alive, and carrying the reader along side-by-side with the characters. Peter Leavell's stellar debut novel is a must read. Novel Rocket and I give it a high recommendation.

[Michael E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gideon's call is a wonderful book, and I whole heartily recommend it, especially to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, or for those who love a good human drama. The story is fascinating, especially knowing that the setting, events, and many of the characters are taken directly from history. The characters in the book are well written, and the plot of the story flows nicely.

I could feel the realism of the story, in that many of the things that were described did not follow what you would expect from a typical book or movie plot line. The events of the American Civil War were not clean-cut, and villains emerged on both sides. The author illustrates not only the harsh treatment of slaves by the slave-holders, but also shows the prejudice attitude, greed, and power-lust shown by certain individuals from the North. I had never considered the political struggles that took place beyond the simple "North vs. South" conflict, but this novel illustrates some of the many difficulties that arose as a result of the freeing of the slaves.

The protagonist, Tad, is a wonderful character, and his appeal to the reader is almost immediate. I almost didn't want the book to end, and to be able to follow Tad as he moved through the rest of his life.

I especially loved the Author's personal notes at the end of the book, which added further authenticity to the story. Knowing that this story was a personal pursuit for Peter Leavell gave this novel an extra punch of significance for me.

Well done, Peter!

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great historical fiction that you should read, especially if you like the Civil War. It was an interesting story that I had never heard of before about the Civil War, and to be honest, I didn't even think about. This is why stories like this are important! An excellent, well-written story.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knap geschreven boek over de afschaffing van de slavernij in het zuiden van de Verenigde Staten. Wat mij tegenstaat is het gebruik van het woord 'zwartjes'. Verder is deze historische roman een boek dat de geschiedenis duidelijk weergeeft.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Gideon's Call" has been sitting on one of my bookshelves for 3 years! When packing for vacation I grabbed the book, looking forward to a good Civil War novel. This is not only a good Civil War novel, it's a powerful and unforgettable one! An in-depth account of the atrocities that slaves endured is agonizing. My heart broke for Tad as he was mistreated because of the color of his skin. An authentic portrayal painted through words gives credibility to a people who suffered like nothing we can begin to imagine.


Civil War details are well researched and documented in this historic telling of a monumental time in our nation's history. The characters portrayed in this epic novel are described in detail, creating personalities that bring them to life. Freedom's advantages evolve into disaster and defeat in a matter of time once slaves were declared freedmen.


The landscape comes alive with trees draped in moss, muddy marshes dark in the canopy of the forest. Alternately, the battlefields are crimson with blood and fallen soldiers litter the earth. These visions will live in my mind long after absorbing this book. The mistreatment of an entire group of people is heart wrenching.


I highly recommend this book. It is earthy, genuine, perceptive and humanitarian, written with compassion. A powerful and memorable book! This is an author to follow.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing fiction is one thing, but keeping it historical based on true events and people is another: author Peter Leavell did an exceptional job with this historical fiction novel!

The story takes place right before the dawn of the Civil War on South Carolina's coastal Sea Islands. Tad, then just a boy, goes from living an innocent childhood with his friend Collin--who is a white boy--to enduring the lash and living a life as a slave. As Tad matures, he learns about his strengths, his past, love and hate, friendships and trust, business trade and politics, the cost of war yet serving with honor, forgiveness and the choices of freedom.

Although Tad is a fictional character, throughout the story, Leavell includes people and events that actually shaped this course in history: Lawyer and philanthropist, Edward Pierce; several Generals, Colonels, and Captains in the war; both doctor and teacher, Laura Towne, who founded Penn School on St. Helena Island; Harriet Tubman (Moses), Sojourner Truth; Secretary of Treasury, Salmon P. Chase and his daughter, Kate; President Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson; and the Port Royal Experiment.

Most often, the events of the Civil War are focused solely just on battle front stories, especially those of Gettysburg. I enjoyed this novel, because it included much more than the toils of war or the politics of Washington...it embraced the inner battles that take place in the hearts of mankind, some in which we still battle today.

I highly recommend this book.

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rare is the day when a book reaches the "I loved it" category. Even rarer is the modern book I'm willing to put on my Classics shelf. Sure, there are books I thoroughly enjoy. Then there are the books I almost loved... if only. If only more grit and polish had been applied. Gideon's Call by Peter Leavell has grit and polish. The story follows the lives of a man, Edward Pierce, and a slave boy, Tad, as they fight to live, love and be free. It wasn't a read-in-one-sitting book. Times of info weaving made me step back to process and, some moments, I had to step away to buffer from very real pain. Life has pain, and a book about slavery without it would be better as a doorstop. This story took me through pain to victory. In the end, there was cheering, but mostly, I stared at it, processing, asking many of the questions the author, I'm certain, wanted me to ask: What now? What role would I have played? What role can I play in this and other injustices I see around me. No doubt, the questions, the characters, and this story will stay with me in the way of To Kill a Mockingbird, The Scarlet Letter, Oliver Twist. I hope this will soon be required reading for students around the world. Kudos, Mr. Leavell!

[Leah Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tad, a small slave boy on a Carolinian island, is destined for a unique and impressive future. As the Civil War approaches the island the white masters flee, but the slaves stay. The new community of freedmen is swiftly selected to host a government experiment to see if the freed slave can become contributing members of society. Tad’s smarts and entrepreneurial initiative soon catch the attention of Edward Pierce, leader of the experiment. As the war progresses, both Tad and Pierce are in for many adventures. Can Pierce’s connections and Tad’s firsthand experience of the brutality of slavery win the freedman a chance for a fresh start and a brighter future?

The Civil War is one of my favorite periods of history, and I have researched it extensively. Mr. Leavell wrote about an element of the time period I never heard about before. That was enough to hook me! The story is well written and the characters are sympathetic and compelling. There is a bit of a love story between Tad and a girl from the same plantation, however this sub-plot remained a sub-plot and did not dominate the story. This is a good book about an important period of history.

[Jill Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tad is a young slave boy who has just discovered just how different life is for him because of the color of his skin. Shortly after his first whipping, soldiers from the North descend on Fort Beauregard and destroy it. The southern plantation owners flee, leaving their slaves behind. Tad sets to work planting his field. He’s going to need a corn harvest if they’re all going to eat come winter. But when some men and women from the north show up to start a school, Tad starts to think he’d like to be a soldier and fight too.

This is a story that’s based on true events. It also won the Jerry B. Jenkins Operation First Novel Contest. Well deserved, I’d say. The story sucked me in from the start, as Tad got into mischief following his friend into trouble. I couldn’t put it down. I found it fascinating and very engaging. I thought this was a unique take on Civil War events. I’m a big fan of the movie Glory, and some of the real people from that movie also appear in this book. This is an entertaining read for pretty much anyone. Whether you like history or are learning about it at school, this is a great book. I highly enjoyed it.

[Jocelyn Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Peter Leavell, for taking up the task of telling one of the most intriguing aspects of the Civil War: the Port Royal Experiment. Gideon's Call struck that fine balance between drawing us into the personal drama of individuals, and painting for us the larger picture of what was at stake during this time period: freedom and bondage, life and death, love and duty. Having studied this piece of history myself (but clearly only a fraction of Leavell's investment into it!), I was delighted to see so many historical figures in the novel, not just making cameo appearances, but as robust characters. The author adeptly carried the reader from Boston to Washington to South Carolina, presenting the drama from varied perspectives. Some books entertain. Some books teach. Gideon's Call does both.
~Jocelyn Green, author of Wedded to War

[Hilarey Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring story of a young Civil War slave who is destined to change the world. I loved Tad. He was mischievous, steadfast and a little awkward around the girl he loved. His was a moving journey against a detailed, historical backdrop. Little picture: it was easy to get invested in the lives of Tad and his family. Big picture: it was frustrating to watch the political pull of authority over people suddenly freed but without means or ability to merge into the surrounding society.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Leavell takes us on a journey when we read Gideon's Call. Peter's masterful grasp of history and ability for storytelling allow this book to come alive with each passing chapter. I was sad to see the final page, because I was so involved in the story. I didn't want the story end, but Peter did a wonderful job of finishing the book while bringing closure for the reader. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

[Linda Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good story, however, parts of the book did not flow well at all. Tad, the young slave boy, was a strong character and his contacts with historical individuals seemed real enough. However, I felt that some of Tad's story was 'forced' and not a necessary part of the main story (his father and the secret). I actually lost interest the last third of the book. Tads experience as a soldier could have been developed more.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book, dealing with the fictional account of a slave in nonfiction events, as well as exploring the life and mission of Edward Pierce, who I don't recall ever learning about in school. Tad's perspective was interesting, and I liked seeing him come-of-age during such a difficult time. However, sometimes the book could drag when in his perspective, and it wasn't always clear where the story was trying to go.

As soon as Pierce become a viewpoint character (quite a ways into the book), I became more engaged, as his perspective was an interesting one, and the plot moved forward further once he arrived--the point of this book being to explore Pierce's mission and those it had an affect on. Pierce could be a little frustrating at times, but since he was a real person, it's not like things could end up how I wanted them to--though I do have to wonder how much of the romance was invented, as it's not talked about in the afterward.

Overall, I loved seeing the world through Tad's POV, as he seemed a simple but smart boy. His POV and all of the debating about what to do with the freedmen made me realize the situation was so much more complicated than we often imagine, just in terms of all the logistics. Tad's viewpoint was needed just as much as Pierce's, to tell the full story of what it must have been like. My only real negative, as I said, is there are times I had no idea where the plot was going. Most of the time I was still engaged, but there were times the story seemed to meander too much. Other than that, I'm glad I read it, and it makes me want to learn more about these particular historical events.

[ClaraBelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the little known story behind the fact that many freeman in 1860s South Carolina were abandoned and left to fend for themselves by their masters when the plantation aristocracy fled from the advancing northern army. This particularly occurred in the Sea Islands of South Carolina, just before the Emancipation Proclamation. Based on true stories and inspired by the lives of real people, this interesting and unique novel follows the story of Tad aka Gideon, who is a young teenager who’s a slave as he grapples with not knowing who his father is, wanting to become a soldier, being mistreated by his master and his overseer, maintaining a perilous friendship with an advocate for freedman(Dr. Edward Pierce), and trying to hide that his master’s son has taught him how to read before his master sent him off to war.
The only problems I had with is that the writing style was too simplistic and cliquey, and Peg was a very manipulative friend to him imo. But over than that, I enjoyed learning about a part of history that was unfamiliar to me and seeing a side of Abraham Lincoln that I wasn’t sure really existed.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unforgettable, little-known Civil War story about the people who thought ahead about what would happen to freed slaves after the war. Tad, the main character, is such a likable young slave who wants to become a soldier. Slaves weren't allowed to learn to read, own property, and not trusted as soldiers. But people from the north thought that all three would help them become productive members of society, and should even be allowed to vote. The successful Penn School was begun on Saint Helena Island, SC during the war. It is now Penn Center, which is open for visitors. The author tells how he became interested in the school and the Gullah culture in Acknowledgements section, followed by an Afterword that reveals what happened to the people who actually lived the dramatic story. See: www.penncenter.com

[Betty Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written story about the chaotic last years of the confederacy on an island plantation in South Carolina. Study of a young man coming of age in a difficult age. The storyline is historically credible, characters are believable. I will read more of this author’s work

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight to the Civil War!

[Henry McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gideon’s Call, the award winning debut novel by Peter Leavell, takes us to the South Carolina coastal islands during the Civil War. There we meet Tad, a young slave whose adventures will lead us through overcoming the scars of slavery, through learning that all white Northerners can’t be trusted, through learning how to survive as a freedman, through being a soldier and fighting with the 54th Massachusetts at Fort Wagner.
Leavell’s thoroughly researched novel is accurate without being a lecture. He successfully avoids the trap of including all his research, just using that which is relevant to his story. He introduces real historical people as three dimensional characters, not just stick figures to show how well he researched the story. There are times when the story has a Forrest Gump feel as Tad interacts with political and military figures in South Carolina, Washington and Boston. He serves as a runner for Major Robert Gould. He meets President Andrew Johnson. To Leavell’s credit, these encounters flow naturally with the story without the sense of being contrived or manipulated.
Tales of lost or unrequited love among the historical figures as they live out their dedication to their beliefs give the book a real sense of the difficulties and hard decisions faced by many people during the war. Through figures such Edward Pierce and Laura Towne, we get a real sense of the sacrifices made for the Union and for freedom.
Leavell presents a balanced picture of North and South, not afraid to show the racism, manipulation and cheating on both sides to use the blacks for their own ends. Tad fights against both sides as he strives to achieve his goals. He succeeds in business by becoming a trader.
Tad’s dream is to be a soldier, own his own land, and marry Peg. Peg won’t marry him if he becomes a soldier. He joins because he wants to do all he can to secure freedom for himself and his people.
One of things I most appreciate about the story is that Tad is frightened in battle. Our hero is flawed. And he must overcome this as part of his inner journey.
Leavell does an excellent job of fully developing his characters, showing their dreams, ambitions, selfishness, fear, biases and prejudices as they face the reality of the Civil War and what it does to the country and the people, both black and white.
I recommend this novel to anyone seeking historically accurate fiction set in the Civil War. The author takes the dry statistics and facts of history and weaves an enthralling story filled with characters we can cheer with and feel pain with as we deepen our understanding of what happened in those years.
I give the novel four stars.
An advanced reader’s copy of the novel was provided by the publisher.

[Savanna Kaiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This debut award-winning novel introduced me to a place I'd never visited before in life or in fiction. Beautifully written and well-researched, the story takes you to a southern plantation in South Carolina, where you witness a surprising turning point in the lives of 10,000 slaves. The author gives you a front row seat to the plight of the slaves as they fight extreme prejudice and abuse on their farms, in their schools, and on the battlefield.

As we follow the footsteps of a young boy growing up in slavery and who is eager to become a soldier, we learn just how difficult their position in society really was at that time in our history and how hard they fought for their freedom, literacy, love, and respect.

I'm one of those romantic-at-heart readers, (I can't help it!) so I will admit that I missed that part in this novel. While there was a thread of romance tucked neatly within, I would not call it a love story. I do, however, believe that was the author's intent. History is the theme of this story and it remains its focus throughout. Read Gideon's Call for the interesting and informative historical perspective and you'll be very happy.

In the story, when one of the characters sees the desolation of war for the first time, the author writes, “The lingering echo of a vast evil filled him and he tried to catch his breath.” I caught my breath as well.

There is an echo, alright. On every battlefield and in every well-crafted Civil War book, an echo lingers. And from then on, you carry it with you. I know readers will certainly carry this story with them.

There is also a helpful index in the back of the book which explains the real life places and people from the story, which I appreciated. The author's fictional characters blend very smoothly into the lives of real individuals from that era and I was sad when the story ended. I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye.

[Shaunaly Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully written account of historical fiction based on the plight and the assimilation of the freedmen who were left deserted on the islands of South Carolina when slave owners abandoned their plantations during the Civil War.

It follows a beautiful young slave boy named Tad, who is enveloped by the world's cruel umbrella of prejudice yet is determined to rise above it all and make the world a better place. As a Mother, all I wanted to do was reach into the pages and protect him but as the story unfolds, his resilience in the face of adversity proved he had great personal strength and determination which thankfully, allowed me to pause with my instinctual maternal needs and continue on with the story.

One of the most appealing aspects for me in this work is the offering of great psychological and analytical components because I have an insatiable desire when I read to go beyond the surface and swim down as far as I can, and then some. This story allowed me to delve into the depth of a child who has never known freedom and then has to "adjust" when freedom is suddenly gifted to him. To be offered the opportunity to strip away and escape into the mindset and wholeness of a character is what truly gives a novel a layer of unforgettable richness and dimensionality into the heart of truth. And, if we're lucky enough, this truth is what impacts our lives for the better once we turn that last page.

I must add, anyone who reads this book, I believe, will walk away with a greater understanding of slavery, freedom, relationships, love, courage, governmental intervention and personal sacrifice. Tad's story of a young slave boy growing into adulthood during an explosive change in the mid-1800's is a true testament of faith and indomitable spirit. To have not lived one day of my life thus far, without freedom, is something I've never taken for granted nor shall I ever.

[Jason Joyner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gideon's Call is the debut novel by Peter Leavell, and it was the winner of the first novel contest through the Christian Writer's Guild. A first book with such a pedigree creates a level of expectation in the reader.

Gideon's Call does not disappoint. It tells the story of the Civil War and the enormous societal upheaval that occurred in the South with the slave population. It centers on Tad, a 12 year old boy who lived on a plantation on a South Carolina island. He had an unusual upbringing, playing with the master's white son until an unfortunate event brings him into the full horrors of slavery.

Tad is our viewpoint to the massive changes that happen over the next few years. A mission outreach from the north led by Edward Pierce comes to Tad's island, and the combination of the tenacious Pierce and energetic Tad proves to be a catalyst for the plot of the book.

The book does a great job of setting us in the midst of Southern life and the trials of the Civil War. Peter is a historian and the research pays off here. Whether it is the hard work of picking cotton or the appeal of Mammy's corn bread, he gives details that put the reader in the setting.

There's a large cast of characters. Many are historical figures, and the cameos are well done. I was surprised by some of the folks who were real people. It can get a little confusing keeping track of everyone, but there are clear people to root for and to boo. I would have liked a little more depth in really getting into the main characters of Tad and Pierce.

Gideon's Call overall is a very well-crafted debut. I can see room for improvement like any new author would have, but Peter has created a good start for himself with this book. Fans of historical books will definitely enjoy it.

[Martha Groeber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Leavell's debut novel covers a little-known chapter of Civil War history - the Port Royal Experiment that set out to prove that freed slaves could be educated and become successful members of society. Tad, a young slave, is suddenly propelled into freedom when northern soldiers invade his home on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. With the help of northerners Edward Pierce and Laura Towne, sent to set up schools and supervise plantations, Tad achieves his dreams of farming his land and becoming a soldier.

Covering a wide swath of history from 1861-1865, Leavell interweaves the stories of the Civil War, the life of the freed slaves, and the attempts to educate the freedmen. He brings a sympathetic view to the plight of the slaves and the efforts made on their behalf.

I gave this book four stars instead of five because there were times when the plot felt a little disjointed, events happening without a smooth connection to previous plotlines. I also found it hard to accept that Tad, 12 at the start of the novel, would be given such responsibility in the army at 14, be placed in charge of the Frogmore plantation at 15, and a delegate to the Republican convention at 16. Chapter 13, where Tad runs away from the freedom he had on the islands back to his master, is never really explained. I couldn't figure out why he would try to return to his master. Also, the raid on Darien, Georgia, in Chapter 37 occurred in June, 1863, yet Chapter 38 sets the timeline in April. Interestingly, I had read a story on the 54th Massachusetts and the raids on Darien and Fort Wagner last year with my students. I was familiar with the events, which is why I noticed this odd discrepancy.

Overall, however, I found this book engaging and interesting.

[Joelendil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel of the Civil War provided me with a fresh point of view on the conflict. It is not the story of a Northern soldier fighting to free the oppressed nor a Confederate soldier fighting to protect his home. It is the story of a group of slaves who suddenly found themselves to be freedmen. Peter Leavell shows us the struggles of the freedman community of Port Royal, South Carolina through the eyes of one of the former slaves and one of the Northerners who has come to fight for their place in society. Port Royal is not just the backdrop to the story...the fate of the community and its inhabitants is the story.

The author has clearly done his research and focuses on the political, social, and religion difficulties that these men and women faced. This book does not fall into the trap of offering preachy pat answers or trite idealistic solutions. It is an honest look at the difficult situation in which these people found themselves.

The book's writing style is very readable (despite a few awkward scene changes) and kicks up a notch from "good" to "very good" in several deeply emotional scenes. A few romantic scenes made me roll my eyes a little (because I'm a guy), but the romance never overshadowed the main story. Overall: this is a great debut novel, and I enjoyed learning about an aspect of the Civil War that I didn't know about before.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and moving historic fiction based on the plight of the freedmen and women, who were left behind on the islands off SC, when the slave owners abandoned their plantations during the Civil War.

Gideon's Call chronicles the efforts of government and private agencies and individuals sent from the North to attempt to assimilate, train, and educate the freedmen. This is the story of those who worked to help the newly freed slaves make a life for themselves--often at great personal sacrifice. The good that these people accomplished is contrasted with the heart-wrenching prejudice, greed, and cruelty of those without conscience.

Rising to the top of the chaos, a young slave boy, Tad, strives for his own goals. Although Tad's goals do not necessarily coincide with those who are overseeing his welfare, he pursues them with dogged tenacity. Tad’s story is a testament of faith and indomitable spirit of one young slave boy growing into manhood during explosive change in the mid-1800’s.

I recommend this book to anyone, who is interested in Civil War history--especially as it pertains to the freeing of the slaves. I thought this book was especially moving, because the reader was able to see this piece of history from a slave's point of view.

[Anne Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the reason I chose this book, is my daughter, the librarian, was hosting an author talk at her library. Her library is in Meridian, Idaho, and they had decided as a library, to award a local author each year as the Best of Meridian, and Peter was their first winner, and would be speaking there. So I went and Peter is truly one of the nicest, most humble, funny, talented men around. His book is not something I would normally choose to read, but I enjoyed it immensely. A historical novel, takes place during the Civil War on the coastal islands of S. Carolina. These islands were taken by Union forces, all the white slave owners and their families left and the slaves stayed. The northern government then sent missionaries to teach and help the slaves, who were at that point considered contraband, become self sustaining and educate them. Although it is often seen as Christian novel, it is really much more a historical novel with uplifting themes. I would recommend it to any of my friends.