Where I'm Bound: A Novel

by Allen B. Ballard

An escaped slave, Joe Duckett joins the Union Army during the Civil War, becomes a hero in a black cavalry regiment, and searches for his family as the war draws to an end.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Civil War

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2000

Reviews

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Civil War history or African American history, you should like this book. Allen B Ballard is a great story teller. This story presented a side of the Civil War that I was not very familiar with, African Americans that served in the military during the Civil War. It had interesting characters and historical settings. I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review and this was a great story.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but a little dry

[Eric Hudson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I greatly appreciate the effort of this fictional account of former slaves armed participation in the liberation of America and Black people from southern tyranny. The problem I had with this novel is its focus on the short sighted religious beliefs of the still enslaved and the recently freed women and men, to such an extent that one would think that slavery was a sanctioned part of "Gods", will, just as ending slavery was now "his" plan. I mean if he had such control over events, then why were we enslaved for 200 years in the first place?

Additionally, while some of the horrors of America's "peculiar institution" were exposed, more were glossed over or not covered at all. In fact the relations between captive and captor were often stripped of their complications and replaced by unrealistic and paternalistic relationships. Finally, the recently freed men and women's participation in the Union Army was flawless in this telling, when in fact they had to fight for their recognition and their rights just as they had to fight as captives under chattel slavery. This novel seem more for the benefit of teen readers.

[Sandra Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fast-moving story of the intertwined exploits of master and slaves in Mississippi during the Civil War, especially of one Joe Duckett, an enslaved person who escapes to the Union side and quickly rises into leadership of a black regiment. We also follow his wife and children in their own desperate struggles for freedom and safety, and his former master (a rebel commander) and family. It's a lively, suspenseful tale that strikes me as realistic and balanced in its portrayals. Although the book's sympathies are obviously with the escaped slaves, there are also heroic whites in this book, and scoundrel blacks, and nobody's a saint. It's clear that the war led to brutality on both sides. It's also sobering reading at a time when it seems we're still fighting some of the same battles politically. If the folks who are producing Mercy Street want to take on a more ambitious war story next time, they should really take a look at this book.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite subject is Historical Fiction and Mr. Ballard has done a great job in telling the story of an African-American regiment commanded by white officers during the Civil War. The main character is Joe Duckett, an escaped slave who joins the Union Army. Joe quickly moves up the enlisted ranks and then when his white captain is wounded, Joe becomes the first black officer in his regiment via field promotion. Compelling novel of the good and the bad; the north and the south; the black and the white.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially it was a hard start but simply the reality of slavery and what happened to African American families during the Civil War itself was worth the wait. I don't know much about the western campaigns and to learn about the 3rd US Colored Cavalry was an eye opener for me.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about African American soldiers in the Civil War.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

my professor wrote this book. great plot. intense.

[Mount Kisco Book Club]

5.5 Rating (Denise)