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Our Simple Gifts: Civil War Christmas Tales
Offers a heartwarming array of Civil War holiday stories, from a Union officer struggling home through a Christmas Eve snowstorm to a freed slave choosing between revenge and his longing to be a better man than his former owner to an immigrant private who plans a startling yuletide surprise for his comrades, in a collection from the author of Honor's Kingdom. 10,000 first printing.
149 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 8, 2018
The prose is beautiful, and the stories are well thought out, historical, and heartwarming.
This book reminds me of a book that I had had back in the 1960s that was about a family who kept a light in the window for the return of their son. At least that is how I remember it. It could have been a Christmas war story, but all I remember was the lights, which were either candles or lanterns. I wish I knew the name of that book, but this book by Parry will also remain in my memory.
In the first story, a man who had fought in the war and had lost his arm in battle, just learns that his betrothed has died, so he heads home for Christmas. He gets a ride part of the way, but due to a snow storm he can't find anyone who will take him the rest of the way, so be begins trudging through the snow storm, risking his life.
"He was thinking as a man with two arms and two hands though. And it was hard to nudge a drooping scarf back over the ears or to catch a hat about to blow away, to brush off a weight of snow from chest and shoulders and close a collar again with a lone hand burdened bag.
And it was the queerest thing. His missing arm felt colder than the arm of flesh."
When he thinks he can go no further, he sees a light in a window and knocks on the cabin door. A woman answers the door and allows him to spent the night, saving his life.
This was my favorite story in the book, but the others are just as heart warming, and show a wonderful side of humanity, the gift of love. One story is about a Jewish immigrant, another a solder who comes home and has a long talk with his grandmother whom he loves dearly, and the last story is about the freeing of the slaves. All stories show how each person, during this time of war, spends Christmas.
This book reminds me of a book that I had had back in the 1960s that was about a family who kept a light in the window for the return of their son. At least that is how I remember it. It could have been a Christmas war story, but all I remember was the lights, which were either candles or lanterns. I wish I knew the name of that book, but this book by Parry will also remain in my memory.
In the first story, a man who had fought in the war and had lost his arm in battle, just learns that his betrothed has died, so he heads home for Christmas. He gets a ride part of the way, but due to a snow storm he can't find anyone who will take him the rest of the way, so be begins trudging through the snow storm, risking his life.
"He was thinking as a man with two arms and two hands though. And it was hard to nudge a drooping scarf back over the ears or to catch a hat about to blow away, to brush off a weight of snow from chest and shoulders and close a collar again with a lone hand burdened bag.
And it was the queerest thing. His missing arm felt colder than the arm of flesh."
When he thinks he can go no further, he sees a light in a window and knocks on the cabin door. A woman answers the door and allows him to spent the night, saving his life.
This was my favorite story in the book, but the others are just as heart warming, and show a wonderful side of humanity, the gift of love. One story is about a Jewish immigrant, another a solder who comes home and has a long talk with his grandmother whom he loves dearly, and the last story is about the freeing of the slaves. All stories show how each person, during this time of war, spends Christmas.
November 7, 2018
These were well written stories for the season. Two of them were particularly poignant. Good read if you are looking for something a bit different for Christmas.
December 11, 2013
Written in 2002, Owen Parry's Our Simple Gifts: Civil War Christmas Tales contains four stories from a war fought 150 years ago. A Union soldier, haunted by loss, struggles to return home through a Christmas Eve snowstorm; a Confederate soldier released from a brutal prison camp has a Christmas night reunion with his grandmother, the person he loves most; an immigrant soldier plans a Christmas surprise for his comrades; a freed slave struggles between feelings of revenge or compassion toward his former owner.
Owen Parry sets the scene well for each story - amidst the hardships of war is a moment of 'the simple gift', the spirit of love found within the season of Christmas. In my own family my father came to Montana from the Blue Ridge mountains of northwestern Georgia 85 years ago; my mother's parents traveled from Kansas and Nebraska to meet and begin their lives together in Montana over 100 years ago. It is difficult to think that a few short years earlier their families might have taken up arms against each other; but that's what the Civil War was, Americans fighting against Americans, sometimes families divided in their sentiments toward the conflict. Perhaps that is why within Parry's telling, all the stories are simply recollections that could be anyone's brother or son or husband.
Owen Parry sets the scene well for each story - amidst the hardships of war is a moment of 'the simple gift', the spirit of love found within the season of Christmas. In my own family my father came to Montana from the Blue Ridge mountains of northwestern Georgia 85 years ago; my mother's parents traveled from Kansas and Nebraska to meet and begin their lives together in Montana over 100 years ago. It is difficult to think that a few short years earlier their families might have taken up arms against each other; but that's what the Civil War was, Americans fighting against Americans, sometimes families divided in their sentiments toward the conflict. Perhaps that is why within Parry's telling, all the stories are simply recollections that could be anyone's brother or son or husband.
December 21, 2011
What a beautiful little book; four short stories set during Civil War Christmases. In the first and longest story, a Union officer is struggling just to get home to his family. In the second, a Union private has a secret. The penultimate story features a young Confederate getting advice from his grandmother on the subject of family harmony. And finally, a freed slave ponders the nature of forgiveness at Christmastime.
These are unapologetically spiritual stories, meant to uplift. Cynics and those prone to saying "humbug" will do better to look elsewhere for reading material. For those who want to cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate and a short, beautifully written book that makes no bones about telling us to love one another, it's just the ticket.
These are unapologetically spiritual stories, meant to uplift. Cynics and those prone to saying "humbug" will do better to look elsewhere for reading material. For those who want to cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate and a short, beautifully written book that makes no bones about telling us to love one another, it's just the ticket.
August 23, 2013
The word wonderful springs to mind when trying to describe the stories in this little book.
Ralph Peters, writing as Owen Parry, takes us back in time - 150 years - Christmas during the American Civil War.
For me its as if I was standing to one side and actually watching the events unfold.The sounds, the smells, the colors - Peters seems to have this knack of capturing it all for the reader.
Ralph Peters, writing as Owen Parry, takes us back in time - 150 years - Christmas during the American Civil War.
For me its as if I was standing to one side and actually watching the events unfold.The sounds, the smells, the colors - Peters seems to have this knack of capturing it all for the reader.
November 29, 2007
I am always on the look-out for short Christmas-related stories, and I liked the idea of these being set in the Civil War time, but only the first story struck a chord with me, and even at that, it was quite predictable.
Not a collection to recommend.
Not a collection to recommend.
November 17, 2018
Around Christmas, I tend to read lighter, seasonal novels. As a history and civil war buff, this felt made for me. It was well written and the stories have all you want in a holiday novel, coupled with the historical point of view. It’s a fast read and perfect for a cold winter weekend.
December 20, 2025
A contemporary (2002) Christmas collection of a novela and three short stories set in the latter stages of the Civil War making the collection historical fiction. The stories are all very poignant and allow the reader to glimpse the horrors of war from a "returning home" perspective. The novela is among the very best short stories that I have read. The story revolves around a wealthy young Union captain who has shown valor and courage in the fiercest of battle but suffers the loss of an arm and thus discharged from service. The widow and infant of a soldier who served in the captain's unit saves the captain from certain death. This is truly a heartwarming story. The other three stories are not as good but serve as reminders of the price both soldiers and their families must pay in the savagery of war.
January 15, 2021
Christmas During the Civil War. Short Stories
Our Simple Gifts was an okay read for the Christmas season. I felt like some of the stories were too short. Parry does a fair job of character development but, at times, it felt like it was moving too slow. Other times, as with the first story, I wanted more of the story. All of the tales made me so grateful for family and friends who have made such s difference in my life... The tales also made me keenly aware that the racial tension of the 1800s.
Our Simple Gifts was an okay read for the Christmas season. I felt like some of the stories were too short. Parry does a fair job of character development but, at times, it felt like it was moving too slow. Other times, as with the first story, I wanted more of the story. All of the tales made me so grateful for family and friends who have made such s difference in my life... The tales also made me keenly aware that the racial tension of the 1800s.
January 31, 2023
4 Short stories set in the 1800s around the Civil War, well written and emotional.
Quotes:
"He was thinking as a man with two arms and two hands though. And it was hard to nudge a drooping scarf back over the ears or to catch a hat about to blow away, to brush off a weight of snow from chest and shoulders and close a collar again with a lone hand burdened bag.
And it was the queerest thing. His missing arm felt colder than the arm of flesh."
Quotes:
"He was thinking as a man with two arms and two hands though. And it was hard to nudge a drooping scarf back over the ears or to catch a hat about to blow away, to brush off a weight of snow from chest and shoulders and close a collar again with a lone hand burdened bag.
And it was the queerest thing. His missing arm felt colder than the arm of flesh."
April 20, 2020
Dark time in history
Enjoyed each short story. Thought provoking. Would not want to live that part of history. "What would Jesus do" seems to be the action of each main character of every story.
Enjoyed each short story. Thought provoking. Would not want to live that part of history. "What would Jesus do" seems to be the action of each main character of every story.
December 17, 2018
Very simple Chistmas things that people do for each other that means so much.
December 31, 2019
A charming group of Christmas tales. I enjoyed them all
December 29, 2020
Yule
It is a simple gift written with simple words saying love one another. The best part of the word, the word that matters.
It is a simple gift written with simple words saying love one another. The best part of the word, the word that matters.
January 8, 2021
Sweet, short stories
January 6, 2023
Christmas stories from the creator of Civil War detective Abal Jones. It is a decent period piece collection.
December 19, 2023
A lovely holiday read.
December 28, 2023
Some very "deep" Christmas tales, including a "Ghost story."
February 14, 2024
Brain candy
December 19, 2024
An interesting set of short Christmas stories set in and around the civil war. As you might expect, the stories are melancholy and very affecting, especially the last one, "Christmas Gift."
December 20, 2024
Lots of little stories…not bad.
December 14, 2025
Consists of four sentimental but not schmaltzy, very well-written stories. Three are of life after battle at home and one at camp.
December 20, 2025
Civil War Christmas stories
February 3, 2017
Four very different short stories, all set in the Civil War era, make the reader think about the true meaning of Christmas. I liked "Tannenbaum" best, followed by "Christmas Gift." I remember thinking "Lo, How a Rose 'Ere Blooming" was a dumb song when I was in my high school glee club. It seemed amelodic to me. After reading "Tannenbaum" and finding a video of The King's Singers performing "Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen", I have a much greater appreciation of that song.
I would definitely recommend this book if you want truly inspirational Christmas reading, not the "Christian inspirational" genre that is so prevalent at this time of year.
I would definitely recommend this book if you want truly inspirational Christmas reading, not the "Christian inspirational" genre that is so prevalent at this time of year.
January 22, 2011
I am a Parry fan and this certainly deepened my appreciation for his craftsmanship. The final story is the weaker of the four, perhaps only in relative terms, but the strength of the prior three more than carries this short book and hence earns from me 5 stars. Inspired writing and inspirational stories of the Civil War that emphasize the humanity. Parry creates a setting that I can picture and with people who seem real enough to care about. A perfectly timed read right before Christmas helped put me into the spirit of the season.
December 20, 2019
So this was my lucky year - - -two great Christmas stories in a row (the other was The Christmas Train)! "Our Simple Gifts" is a series of small vignettes - - much like O. Henry stories - - that recount fictional tales of Christmas during the Civil War years. The stories cover a variety of characters, from a wealthy Yankee officer returning home in despair to an ex-slave who extends a kindness even though he knows it will be rebuffed. The stories are poignant, sweet, and full of the Christmas Spirit.
Highly recommended - - I loved this book so much that I purchased a copy for myself!
Highly recommended - - I loved this book so much that I purchased a copy for myself!
December 22, 2023
Read again December 2021. The first story that takes place in Pottsville Pa is a treasure. Very well captures time and place on Christmas during the war. Worth reading that one each year
Lovely little short stories about Christmas, but taking place during the Civil War.
Read first story as it’s the Season. I think it will be annual
Lovely little short stories about Christmas, but taking place during the Civil War.
Read first story as it’s the Season. I think it will be annual
November 16, 2011
Short stories that pack a punch. Four different character stories in which you could tell how the Civil War affected them and humanity as they return to their homes or trying to celebrate Christmas, all while being reminded or remembering the real Reason for the Season.
December 15, 2012
This book is four short stories about four men during the Civil War. They each in their own way bring the true meaning of Christmas to those around them. The stories are good, but I was left wanting a whole book about each man and what happened to him after Christmas.
December 25, 2012
A fitting read for the holidays. These stories teach us about charity, fellowship, the love of family, and forgiveness; during a time in the history of the United States, which is still felt to this day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews