Look Away

U.S. Civil War #1

by Harold Coyle

At the heart of the story are two brothers, sons of a prosperous New Jersey businessman whose growing wealth and power are dependent on his ability to avoid choosing sides as the issue of states' rights threatens to divide the nation.

James and Kevin Bannon, who have always shielded each other from their father's tyrannical outbursts, see their fierce loyalty abruptly shattered by their rivalry over a woman ... and her shocking, violent death.

James is sent to VMI (Virginia Military Institute) to make something of himself, while Kevin attends college in the North. Soon they will find themselves on opposite sides in every great action of the war, with a stunning conclusion at the Battle of Gettysburg.

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

592 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1996

About the author

Harold Coyle is an American author of historical, speculative fiction and war novels including Team Yankee, a New York Times best-seller.He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1974 and spent seventeen years on active duty with the U.S. Army.He lives in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Reviews

[Joe Davoust · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the author did a fine job of balancing in writing this book. War book seem to me to be more about tactics and gore and bravado, which this has, but those scenes seem to move the overall plot along at a snails place. This book is a good mixture of just enough battle coverage to not neglect the story. This story also seems to have the perfect mix of fiction and history. I never felt I was reading a textbook but I feel like I learned a lot about the onset and early parts of the Civil War with a balanced view from both sides. Now looking forward to the sequel.

[Connie Putnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the story of the 2 Brothers on different sides and the women they loved how they contributed to the war effort. Thought ot was a great book of the Civil war

[Graceann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please see my detailed review at Amazon Graceann's "Look Away" Review"

Ultimately, I found this novel to be slow and unsatisfying, but I'm still reading the sequel because I enjoyed the supporting characters. I go into more detail regarding my problems with the story in my Amazon review. There was ducking away from thorny issues (slavery, for instance) while endlessly repeating mundane banalities of army life. I keep hoping to find another Michael Shaara, and I keep getting disappointed. Pity.

[Mark Stangroome · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is not an all-action American Civil War story but rather a character novel with the Civil War as a backdrop, so it is much slower than some may imagine and although there are battle scenes they centre on individuals and their thoughts and feelings as much as their actions.

The story revolves around two brothers, the Bannons, who due to their fathers' wishes and a spurious plot-line find themselves on opposing sides; the older brother goes South to join the Virginia Military Institute and the younger brother fights for a New Jersey battalion. Each story is similar, fighting against the prevailing anti-Irish sentiment especially if your father has been successful rather than accepting a supporting/minor role in society, both fall in love although problems exist and both have a protagonist.

The characters are well-written and intriguing rather than compelling but I never had any emotional attachment to them or their lives; I neither liked not disliked them which is a problem as it made the book easy to put down.

Mr Coyle does go to extra-ordinary lengths to base the novel, as far as is possible, on actual events with the threads of this work delicately intermingled with real events. There is a series of notes at the end of the book in which the author details what is true and what is fiction, it may be a good idea to read these chapter by chapter.

Overall an interesting book but never quite hit the mark for me.

[Trisha Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look Away by Harold Coyle, is a heart-wrenching historical fiction book, that reminds one of the horrors, sacrifice, determination, and fortitude that was the American Civil War. It is the story of two brothers, sons of a wealthy New Jersey businessman, who end up on opposing sides of the war. The book begins with a very shocking event that tears apart the brothers and has nothing to do with the war. But, since it divides the siblings, one (Kevin Bannon) heads to Virginia and enrolls in the Virginia Military Institute, while the other, (James Bannon), attends college in the North. This is where the divide is made permanent and is what leads them both to confront each other on the battlefield. There is drama, and angst and vivid description, as the war rages on endlessly and culminates in families divided, love will prevail for each of the brothers. Great book for those who enjoy historical fiction. Many battles described that are covered in the book, but they culminate at Gettysburg.

[Frank Mihlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harold Coyle is a great author, especially clear in his modern warfare novels. Look Away cleverly bounced back and forth between the characters in the North and South, which gave the reader a great insight into what the people on both side of the divide were thinking as the disaster for both sides unfolded. He also added enough romance to keep to keep the tale interesting. The most impressive aspect of the entire book is how well he linked the plot into the actual historical time, place, and action of each of the engagements, putting flesh, blood, and emotion onto the historical skeleton. My rating would have been higher had he captured more of the horror of war, and less on the romance.

[John Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars. It was pretty good although I wouldn’t ever read it again. I loved the characters especially Kevin and Harriet but there was some things that just didn’t make sense.
Spoiler***
I feel like the death of the Mayors daughter should’ve mattered more to James. If my brother killed the live of my life I don’t think I would just let it go within an hour.

[Dan Chiappetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great story teller Harold Coyle is. He creates fictional characters and places them in accurately depicted events throughout the Civil War. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story and history!

[Дана Милчин · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a masterpiece!!
The vocabulary is insane, you can practically see everything and smell everything while reading.
The story is history accurate of course besides the characters in the book.
For history lovers - this is the book!

[Roger Randolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winners and losers on both sides.

I like the character development. Your find yourself routing for both sides and discover there are no winners. I will read the sequel.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written and a gripping story.

[Dennis P Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

5.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been years since I’ve read a book on the Civil War! This was exceptional. Looking forward to part two.

[Mike Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable read. There are twists and turns and I found myself wanting to know what would happen next. I did feel that the ending was somewhat rushed and I was disappointed in an ending that failed to resolve several key points for me.

[Bamboozlepig · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I'm always down with a good book about the Civil War, but this wasn't one of them. Characters were one-dimensional and cliched and didn't hold my interest. James and his brother accidentally kill James' girlfriend and James seems to forget it quite fast. But then after a friend from the VMI takes him home to meet the friend's sister, he suddenly remembers the death of his previous girlfriend. I noped it out of there at that point.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Virginia just before and during the American civil war, the book deals with the trials and tribulations of two brothers who end up fighting on different sides. Deals in great depth and with factual accuracy with the battles and social attitudes of the time, especially the class conflicts between the new and old immigrants. After a slow and rather ponderous start I rather enjoyed it, though the plot was fairly predictable. The most interesting part was the attitudes of the people which are well portrayed and in many cases based on researched persona. Not really recommended except for the civil war aficionado and annoying because you need to read a second book to find out what happened to them all.

[Russ]

Having read all books on the Civil War by Shaara and Gingrich, I was looking for something new. A friend told me about a 2 book series by Harold Coyle. I'd never heard of him, so I figured what the heck, let's give it a try.
It's not your typical Civil War story with all the generals and all the battles. It's about 2 brothers from New Jersey, sons of a successful Irish immigrant. An unfortunate incident places them on opposing sides during the Civil War.
The only major Civil War character to appear is Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson. Other characters are mentioned, but this is a story told from the points of view of James and Kevin Bannon. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the 2nd book.

[Jon Kurtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and realistic account of the pre and early years of the civil war as presented through the eyes of two brothers. One remains in the north, while the other attends school in the south. Separated and fighting for different sides, this novel provides two perspectives on America's most devastating war. Infused with the politics and atmosphere of the time, Coyle's account is accurate, while at the same time entertaining.

[Brady H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a good, not great novel. I read it when I was in high school and again as an adult. In a way, it is probably more of a YA novel than an adult one. I think he did a fairly good job describing the battles and tribulations of camp life. The downside is that it does fall into typical patterns common to many novels and really doesn't shed any new insight on the war. Still, it (along with the sequel) are decent reads.

[Bob Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Reading Harold Coyle's books for years and this comes along. A huge surprise and a wonderful read. I've always been intrigued by the American Civil War and this, although fiction, uses many of the historical units, officers and battles in which to place his characters.

If you enjoy the era, this is a required read.

[Maurice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different book than we know of Harold Coyle. However, his writing about the Civil War is as good as his fiction about modern warfare, and it is a delight to read! An epic story about brotherly love, conflict and man's emotions in these events, a great delight to read!

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book - I love to read history. But, after a while it seemed to be the same thing over and over. I realize it was based on historical events, that did drag on, but for entertainment I would have preferred a bit more.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I am a civil war buff so I really enjoyed the overall plot however, at times, it moved a little too slow. Still overall I thought it was a good read. It would be a great book for someone who also enjoys civil war history.

[Elizabeth Housewright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writer, depicts times and warfare well. Contrived, of course, to make story work-- but the dilemmas faced by people during those times are presented well.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dragged in the middle alittle. Author set up great characters though. Thinking of reading next in series.

[Heather Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy good historical fiction that helps bring history to life. This was well written and makes this chapter in American history come alive.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it until very end.

[Ronda Six Garnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written account of the Civil War....with a couple of love stories mixed in

[Shannon Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book I found it enjoyable but not a superb written novel