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Andersonville
A mysterious man posing as a Union soldier risks everything to enter the Civil War’s deadliest prison—only to find a horror beyond human reckoning.
Georgia, 1864. Camp Sumter, aka Andersonville, has earned a reputation as an open sewer of sadistic cruelty and terror where death may come at any minute. But as the Union prisoners of war pray for escape, cursing the fate that spared them a quicker end, one man makes his way into the camp purposefully.
Barclay Lourdes has a mission—and a secret. But right now his objective is merely to survive the hellish camp. The slightest misstep summons the full fury of the autocratic commander, Captain Wirz, and the brutal Sergeant Turner. Meanwhile, a band of shiftless thieves and criminals known as the “Raiders” preys upon their fellow prisoners. Barclay soon finds that Andersonville is even less welcoming to a black man—especially when that man is not who he claims to be. Little does he imagine that he’s about to encounter supernatural terrors beyond his wildest dreams . . . or nightmares.
Georgia, 1864. Camp Sumter, aka Andersonville, has earned a reputation as an open sewer of sadistic cruelty and terror where death may come at any minute. But as the Union prisoners of war pray for escape, cursing the fate that spared them a quicker end, one man makes his way into the camp purposefully.
Barclay Lourdes has a mission—and a secret. But right now his objective is merely to survive the hellish camp. The slightest misstep summons the full fury of the autocratic commander, Captain Wirz, and the brutal Sergeant Turner. Meanwhile, a band of shiftless thieves and criminals known as the “Raiders” preys upon their fellow prisoners. Barclay soon finds that Andersonville is even less welcoming to a black man—especially when that man is not who he claims to be. Little does he imagine that he’s about to encounter supernatural terrors beyond his wildest dreams . . . or nightmares.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2015
106 people are currently reading
471 people want to read
About the author
Edward M. Erdelac
79 books115 followersEdward M. Erdelac is the author of thirteen novels including the acclaimed Judeocentric/Lovecraftian weird western series Merkabah Rider, Rainbringer: Zora Neale Hurston Against The Lovecraftian Mythos, Conquer, Monstrumfuhrer from Comet Press, Terovolas from JournalStone Publishing, and Andersonville from Random House/Hydra.
Born in Indiana, educated in Chicago, he lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and a bona fide slew of kids and cats.
Born in Indiana, educated in Chicago, he lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and a bona fide slew of kids and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
September 25, 2015
Barclay Lourdes is a black man with a big secret. He is headed south on a train and another black man dies and he steps into his identity. Ending up in Andersonville Prison. Andersonville is also known in the history books as Camp Sumter. A prison camp in Georgia for Yankee soldiers there have been rumors getting out about just how bad this prison is.
It's much, much worse.
I have a pretty strong stomach and a few times reading this book I got very queasy. Knowing it's based on an actual prison made it more in my head.
"Hell is empty and all the devils are here."
Barclay was reminded of the stories his Creole mother had told him as a boy of half-starved zombies, soulless slaves taken alive and ensorcelled from their graves to work until they wasted and died again. when he had actually seen such things in later life, they had not been half as repulsive as the men who now shambled before his eyes.
(there is no zombies in this story)
The camp is run by a cliquish group called the Raiders that take from the other prisoners and the camp itself is controlled by a calculating leader. Dang, I hate that I can't say much more.
Because I don't want to spoil anything. My feelings on the book are this, I was going to give it 3 stars until something happened and I though "well-played"..so four stars it is.
The book does ramble on at times but not enough that I wanted to stop reading it, I was totally hooked. I did keep stopping to look up and see how correct the author was on his history and I realized that I was never going to finish if I kept doing that. That's a sign that I'm into a book though. I cared enough to look into it more.
So if historical horror sounds good to you. Buckle your seatbelt and hold on. This one is a bumpy ride.
He said that the balances of the forces of good and evil is decided by humanity's actions.
Angels are born from every good deed, and each of mankind's sins creates a demon.
This creek features into the story all through out it.
A re-creation of the tents that the lucky few were able to have to sleep in.
The burying of the dead. Sometimes more bodies were going out this way than were coming in.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
I saw my friend 11811 (Eleven) reading this and it sounded right up my alley. Eleven reads some interesting things.. Plus, I am a total fangirl of the group Lynyrd Skynyrd..and when I first started following Eleven I thought he would be perfect in that group. So turn it up Eleven and read some more books that I want.
It's much, much worse.
I have a pretty strong stomach and a few times reading this book I got very queasy. Knowing it's based on an actual prison made it more in my head.
"Hell is empty and all the devils are here."
Barclay was reminded of the stories his Creole mother had told him as a boy of half-starved zombies, soulless slaves taken alive and ensorcelled from their graves to work until they wasted and died again. when he had actually seen such things in later life, they had not been half as repulsive as the men who now shambled before his eyes.
(there is no zombies in this story)
The camp is run by a cliquish group called the Raiders that take from the other prisoners and the camp itself is controlled by a calculating leader. Dang, I hate that I can't say much more.
Because I don't want to spoil anything. My feelings on the book are this, I was going to give it 3 stars until something happened and I though "well-played"..so four stars it is.
The book does ramble on at times but not enough that I wanted to stop reading it, I was totally hooked. I did keep stopping to look up and see how correct the author was on his history and I realized that I was never going to finish if I kept doing that. That's a sign that I'm into a book though. I cared enough to look into it more.
So if historical horror sounds good to you. Buckle your seatbelt and hold on. This one is a bumpy ride.
He said that the balances of the forces of good and evil is decided by humanity's actions.
Angels are born from every good deed, and each of mankind's sins creates a demon.
This creek features into the story all through out it.
A re-creation of the tents that the lucky few were able to have to sleep in.
The burying of the dead. Sometimes more bodies were going out this way than were coming in.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
I saw my friend 11811 (Eleven) reading this and it sounded right up my alley. Eleven reads some interesting things.. Plus, I am a total fangirl of the group Lynyrd Skynyrd..and when I first started following Eleven I thought he would be perfect in that group. So turn it up Eleven and read some more books that I want.
May 9, 2017
Before I started reading this book, I figured it would be a good idea to have a history check: as the book intergrates history with supernatural elements. But now I'm thinking I should have left it to my imagination -after seeing some of the photos of survivors of Camp Sumter; the condition they were in, and the trenches where the corpses were buried; then reading about the statistics of the Union Soldiers that died there.
Barclay Lourdes, a black man, purposefully infiltrates Andersonville Prison via a train carrying prisoners to the infamous prison camp. He jumps on the train as it passes under a tree branch that he's been perched on - and disposes of the sentry guard, who was keeping watch at the time. He notices another guard coming and quickly climbs down the side of the train, and is helped inside by one of the captives, Charlie Trevor. Anyway, he assumes the identity of one of the prisoners who died during transit, and throws him off the train, with the help of Charlie.
And so it begins....
At first, its not clear why Lourdes wants to become a resident of Andersonville, whilst everyone else wants to get out of there. And the only way out of this hell-hole is: Dead. The prisoners enter through the North Gate and exit through the South Gate. When someone dies, they are carried to the South Gate, where the corpses are piled up, waiting to be taken out the South Gate via a corpse wagon- and their next destination is the Dead House; then a three foot deep trench.
When Lourdes' first arrives, he gets to see firsthand how bad the conditions are inside the camp - which is the epitome of hell. The camp is filled with visceral horror. No turning back now, though. He meets a few people: Limber, Big Pete, Red Cap and a few others, after he helps an Indian guy, Bill Mixinisaw, who is getting beaten by Andersonvilles' resident band of rogues: The Raiders. Capt. Henry Wirz is bad enough but, the raiders are also a menace; killing, robbing and beating people up, etc. And if that isn't enough, there's Turner and his hellhounds, too.
There are quite a few interesting characters throughout the book; mainly Lourdes, Charlie Trevor, who has been harbouring a secret (didn't see that coming - neither did Lourdes), Boston Corbett aka - the Hatter, who seems to be 'off his rocker,' Clemis and John Penaisnowoquot aka - Dr John.
It took me a while to get used to the characters dialogue; the way they spoke to each other - though, they probably did speak with that dialect in those days. And some of the sentence structure didn't work for me, either. But that's probably me reading it wrong... or something.
I liked how the author integrated the supernatural element into the story. That was intriguing.
There's a 1996 TV movie based on Camp Sumter, called Andersonville, directed by John Frankenheimer - so I'll check that out, sometime.
Camp Sumter is now a historical site, located near Andersonville, which preserves the former Confederate prisoner-of-war camp. Visitors' spend on average 2.5 hrs at the site.
In summation: Depressing. I'm not sure how to sum it up. I didn't dislike the story; it was interesting, but I also can't say I enjoyed it; at least, not in the conventional sense. Worthy of 4 stars, though.
Barclay Lourdes, a black man, purposefully infiltrates Andersonville Prison via a train carrying prisoners to the infamous prison camp. He jumps on the train as it passes under a tree branch that he's been perched on - and disposes of the sentry guard, who was keeping watch at the time. He notices another guard coming and quickly climbs down the side of the train, and is helped inside by one of the captives, Charlie Trevor. Anyway, he assumes the identity of one of the prisoners who died during transit, and throws him off the train, with the help of Charlie.
And so it begins....
At first, its not clear why Lourdes wants to become a resident of Andersonville, whilst everyone else wants to get out of there. And the only way out of this hell-hole is: Dead. The prisoners enter through the North Gate and exit through the South Gate. When someone dies, they are carried to the South Gate, where the corpses are piled up, waiting to be taken out the South Gate via a corpse wagon- and their next destination is the Dead House; then a three foot deep trench.
When Lourdes' first arrives, he gets to see firsthand how bad the conditions are inside the camp - which is the epitome of hell. The camp is filled with visceral horror. No turning back now, though. He meets a few people: Limber, Big Pete, Red Cap and a few others, after he helps an Indian guy, Bill Mixinisaw, who is getting beaten by Andersonvilles' resident band of rogues: The Raiders. Capt. Henry Wirz is bad enough but, the raiders are also a menace; killing, robbing and beating people up, etc. And if that isn't enough, there's Turner and his hellhounds, too.
There are quite a few interesting characters throughout the book; mainly Lourdes, Charlie Trevor, who has been harbouring a secret (didn't see that coming - neither did Lourdes), Boston Corbett aka - the Hatter, who seems to be 'off his rocker,' Clemis and John Penaisnowoquot aka - Dr John.
It took me a while to get used to the characters dialogue; the way they spoke to each other - though, they probably did speak with that dialect in those days. And some of the sentence structure didn't work for me, either. But that's probably me reading it wrong... or something.
I liked how the author integrated the supernatural element into the story. That was intriguing.
There's a 1996 TV movie based on Camp Sumter, called Andersonville, directed by John Frankenheimer - so I'll check that out, sometime.
Camp Sumter is now a historical site, located near Andersonville, which preserves the former Confederate prisoner-of-war camp. Visitors' spend on average 2.5 hrs at the site.
In summation: Depressing. I'm not sure how to sum it up. I didn't dislike the story; it was interesting, but I also can't say I enjoyed it; at least, not in the conventional sense. Worthy of 4 stars, though.
March 19, 2016
I'm not familiar with the Andersonville prison since I'm not American, so I "enjoyed" getting a history lesson with a paranormal twist. It was truly awful how the people were treated there and making it a battle between good and evil was a very interesting plot. In real life it was just ordinary people acting like demons, here we actually have real demons. Barclay Lourdes is a great main character, in the beginning, you really don't know what he is up to when it jumps on the train boarded for Andersonville. Was it a mistake or does he have a plan? And, the reason for Barclay to be there is revealed as the story progress and I found it to be really intriguing to read about it all.
This is a really good horror book. The fact that it's based on a real place and the transgressions that happened on there makes it even better. It's an evil place and the paranormal part of the story is woven so well into the history of the place.
I hope this isn't the only book with Barclay Lourdes, I hope to see more book with him and those around him.
I received this copy from the publisher through NetGalley and from TLC Book Tours in return for an honest review!
This is a really good horror book. The fact that it's based on a real place and the transgressions that happened on there makes it even better. It's an evil place and the paranormal part of the story is woven so well into the history of the place.
I hope this isn't the only book with Barclay Lourdes, I hope to see more book with him and those around him.
I received this copy from the publisher through NetGalley and from TLC Book Tours in return for an honest review!
August 19, 2015
Camp Sumter.....the worst prisoner of war camp in the history of the Civil War. A festering hellhole that broke men...body, mind and soul. A place where the evils men do are the key to unleashing an evil long forgotten. One that lies uneasy,beneath the blood soaked earth. An evil that a single brave soul must face...among many others, when he sets foot in the asylum that is Andersonville.
Blending true, historical horrors with the supernatural, allowing the truth to fuel the fiction that fuels the fear, Erdelac has written an engaging novel that delivers.
Highly recommended.
This was an eARC from Netgalley.
Blending true, historical horrors with the supernatural, allowing the truth to fuel the fiction that fuels the fear, Erdelac has written an engaging novel that delivers.
Highly recommended.
This was an eARC from Netgalley.
August 16, 2015
5 of 5 Stars Review copy
Edward M. Erdelac is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the author of six novels (including the weird western series Merkbah Rider) and several short stories. He is also an independent filmmaker, an award winning screenwriter, and sometimes Star Wars contributor. Born in Indiana, educated in Chicago, he resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife,children, and cats.
In Andersonville, Erdelac has taken the story of the Civil War's most infamous prison camp and added a supernatural storyline that threatens to change the course of the war.
In the beginning, the writer plays it pretty straight, telling the tale of the horrors of the camp where more than 25,000 union soldiers, both white and black, are are treated so badly there are more than 200 deaths a day.
Andersonville is rich with a number of fully developed characters and presents the reader with quite an imaginative story. In less capable hands, things could have easily gone off the rails during the transition from the horrors of the rebel prison to a full-blown supernatural story, but Erdelac shows he is more than up to the task as he deftly weaves the two tales into one cohesive story.
The result is a completely entertaining experience for those who can stomach the horror of war with their dose of the supernatural.
Highly recommended.
Edward M. Erdelac is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the author of six novels (including the weird western series Merkbah Rider) and several short stories. He is also an independent filmmaker, an award winning screenwriter, and sometimes Star Wars contributor. Born in Indiana, educated in Chicago, he resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife,children, and cats.
In Andersonville, Erdelac has taken the story of the Civil War's most infamous prison camp and added a supernatural storyline that threatens to change the course of the war.
In the beginning, the writer plays it pretty straight, telling the tale of the horrors of the camp where more than 25,000 union soldiers, both white and black, are are treated so badly there are more than 200 deaths a day.
Andersonville is rich with a number of fully developed characters and presents the reader with quite an imaginative story. In less capable hands, things could have easily gone off the rails during the transition from the horrors of the rebel prison to a full-blown supernatural story, but Erdelac shows he is more than up to the task as he deftly weaves the two tales into one cohesive story.
The result is a completely entertaining experience for those who can stomach the horror of war with their dose of the supernatural.
Highly recommended.
July 12, 2015
This was some dark material. If you’re familiar with the notorious Civil War prison, you know that everything about that place screams horror. A supernatural element is unnecessary to convey exactly how horrific it was. The author adds a supernatural element anyway and really manages to add to the evil of the prison without making it silly or taking away from the real life atrocities. He makes the evil itself more tangible but doesn’t do anything stupid like add zombies or vampires or any of that cliche crap. His evil is wholly unique, inventive, and expertly woven into the setting. As far as that goes, the less you know going in, the more I think you will enjoy it.
I really dug this one. There were times when the pacing seemed a little slow but not enough to ruin the story. Just enough to keep it from a full 5 star rating. Still, pretty damn close.
I received a free copy of this ebook from the author or publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really dug this one. There were times when the pacing seemed a little slow but not enough to ruin the story. Just enough to keep it from a full 5 star rating. Still, pretty damn close.
I received a free copy of this ebook from the author or publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2015
The Confederate-run Andersonville prison was a notorious display of horrors during the Civil War. Union soldiers that were captured and interred there were starved, beaten, subjected to harsh labor duties under the hot Georgia sun, and infected with lice and disease. A line of wooden rails ran across the prison, feet away from the stockade walls, and if the prisoners set so much as a hair over that dead line, they were shot by Confederate sentries manning the wall. Trouble ran rampant within the Union ranks, as well, though, as the heavyweights formed a gang, the Raiders, and attacked, robbed, and killed their fellow inmates for food, clothing, housing, and tradeable goods. It was more concentration camp than prison, and Captain Henry Wirz ruled over the 20- to 40-thousand skeletal prisoners with an iron fist.
The harsh reality of Andersonville is enough to make most blanch and it is a very nasty bit of history in its own right, a grim reminder that oftentimes humans are the most frightening monsters of them all.
To take a subject like Andersonville prison and cast it through the prism of a horror novel, you have to be a very confident writer or else risk undermining that very real history as nothing more than tawdry spectacle.
Edward M. Erdelac, thankfully, is very much in the former category and treats the history respectfully, while also weaving in a solid dose of supernatural worries that prove captivating. He draws much of his story straight from time’s past, with Wirz the natural primary villain. Our hero is Barclay Lourdes, a freeman from New Orleans with a penchant for voodoo and a Union spy, who has snuck into the prison to suss out the evils that lie within.
And those evils? Well, they’re a doozy, but I don’t want to spoil much here. The horrors – both natural and supernatural – that are on display here are well drawn and convincing, at times bloodcurdling. Ederlac does not shy away from the atrocities that men inflicted upon one another in war, or the racist perspectives held by both sides of the Civil War. This is a dark and brutal read, but one that is very well executed and captivating throughout.
Those who have enjoyed Robert McCammon’s historical novels featuring Matthew Corbett should find quite a lot to enjoy here, particularly if they’re looking for a more straight-up horror-based historical read. There’s plenty of demons running amok in Andersonville, and not all of them are human.
[This review is based on an advanced copy received from the publisher via NetGalley.]
The harsh reality of Andersonville is enough to make most blanch and it is a very nasty bit of history in its own right, a grim reminder that oftentimes humans are the most frightening monsters of them all.
To take a subject like Andersonville prison and cast it through the prism of a horror novel, you have to be a very confident writer or else risk undermining that very real history as nothing more than tawdry spectacle.
Edward M. Erdelac, thankfully, is very much in the former category and treats the history respectfully, while also weaving in a solid dose of supernatural worries that prove captivating. He draws much of his story straight from time’s past, with Wirz the natural primary villain. Our hero is Barclay Lourdes, a freeman from New Orleans with a penchant for voodoo and a Union spy, who has snuck into the prison to suss out the evils that lie within.
And those evils? Well, they’re a doozy, but I don’t want to spoil much here. The horrors – both natural and supernatural – that are on display here are well drawn and convincing, at times bloodcurdling. Ederlac does not shy away from the atrocities that men inflicted upon one another in war, or the racist perspectives held by both sides of the Civil War. This is a dark and brutal read, but one that is very well executed and captivating throughout.
Those who have enjoyed Robert McCammon’s historical novels featuring Matthew Corbett should find quite a lot to enjoy here, particularly if they’re looking for a more straight-up horror-based historical read. There’s plenty of demons running amok in Andersonville, and not all of them are human.
[This review is based on an advanced copy received from the publisher via NetGalley.]
June 17, 2015
Some of the most horrifying stories born of the American Civil War took place at Camp Sumter, the Confederate military prison in Andersonville, Georgia. Prisoners there were forced to deal with incredibly crowded conditions which led to polluted water, rampant disease, and starvation, not to mention the brutal treatment of their captors and even a band of "Raiders", prisoners who preyed upon their fellow inmates.
In ANDERSONVILLE, Edward M. Erdelac takes readers into the heart of Camp Sumter, where his unflinching attention to the shocking details of life in the prison camp lays the groundwork for a gripping and truly original tale of supernatural horror and dark magic. Erdelac's clever integration of real historical characters (famous and infamous) into the story adds an air of authenticity that actually makes ANDERSONVILLE even more creepy and thought-provoking.
I really liked this one, and I highly recommend ANDERSONVILLE to my fellow horror fans, especially those looking for something a little different.
*Free ARC from NetGalley*
In ANDERSONVILLE, Edward M. Erdelac takes readers into the heart of Camp Sumter, where his unflinching attention to the shocking details of life in the prison camp lays the groundwork for a gripping and truly original tale of supernatural horror and dark magic. Erdelac's clever integration of real historical characters (famous and infamous) into the story adds an air of authenticity that actually makes ANDERSONVILLE even more creepy and thought-provoking.
I really liked this one, and I highly recommend ANDERSONVILLE to my fellow horror fans, especially those looking for something a little different.
*Free ARC from NetGalley*
June 16, 2015
This book more than earns a five-star rating. Well developed characters that will keep you interested in their story and following what happens to them. A prison camp during the Civil War that turns out to be more sinister and evil than ever expected. Brilliant writing by the author. I highly recommend this book, it will certainly keep you interested from the very start. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
August 5, 2015
During the Civil War, Andersonville Prison in Confederate Georgia was notorious for it’s horrific and inhumane conditions. In a four-month period the prison population ballooned from just over 7,000 prisoners to an unbelievable 31,000 Union soldiers. Short on food rations, water, medicine and housing, prisoners died by the thousands of malnutrition and disease. Just the facts alone concerning Andersonville make for an unimaginable horror story. Author Edward Erdelac has taken these barbaric prison conditions and added his own angle: there is something darker and more arcane than just humans controlling Andersonville.
While most prisoners would try to escape the prison camp, Barclay Lourdes, a black slave with a mysterious past, steals into Andersonville. Barclay originates from New Orleans but wears Yankee blue and some of the prisoners notice he is more educated than most black slaves. Many of the white prisoners cannot even read, but Barclay can. He is a man with a mission and it takes awhile for the reader to discover the true reason. While Barclay struggles to survive the white prejudice against slaves he must also deal with the suspicions that the other blacks feel towards him. There are some interesting, and bizarre, characters that some momentum to the plot.
It’s a great idea for a story and Erdelac’s book is terrific. Just his descriptions of the inhumane conditions were horror enough for me but his dark arts twist makes the story even more so. The author incorporates actual events and people from the real Andersonville giving the book some historical flavor.
There are times the book meanders or the flashbacks are confusing, but it all comes together in the end. Some of the writing comes across as unpolished, but the strength of the story significantly carries it. I highly enjoyed it and recommend it to horror book fans.
No worries, the story is zombie and vampire-free.
Netgalley gave this book to me in exchange for an honest review
While most prisoners would try to escape the prison camp, Barclay Lourdes, a black slave with a mysterious past, steals into Andersonville. Barclay originates from New Orleans but wears Yankee blue and some of the prisoners notice he is more educated than most black slaves. Many of the white prisoners cannot even read, but Barclay can. He is a man with a mission and it takes awhile for the reader to discover the true reason. While Barclay struggles to survive the white prejudice against slaves he must also deal with the suspicions that the other blacks feel towards him. There are some interesting, and bizarre, characters that some momentum to the plot.
It’s a great idea for a story and Erdelac’s book is terrific. Just his descriptions of the inhumane conditions were horror enough for me but his dark arts twist makes the story even more so. The author incorporates actual events and people from the real Andersonville giving the book some historical flavor.
There are times the book meanders or the flashbacks are confusing, but it all comes together in the end. Some of the writing comes across as unpolished, but the strength of the story significantly carries it. I highly enjoyed it and recommend it to horror book fans.
No worries, the story is zombie and vampire-free.
Netgalley gave this book to me in exchange for an honest review
July 3, 2016
The author adds another level of horror to Andersonville, the infamous hellhole, Confederate prison in the American Civil War, by having the officials of the camp possessed by evil beings, including the notorious Captain Wirz, the camp commander. The evil spirits promise an end to the Civil War but when you're dealing with this type of nastiness, all mankind could be in danger! The author creates a very interesting story, including a group of toughs preying on their fellow POWs, horrid conditions, starvation and piles of bodies every day. Can a few prisoners conjure the magic to overcome the evil? The author's descriptions of Andersonville and life and death there is consistent with historic accounts that I have read.
I received this book free from netgalley.com
I received this book free from netgalley.com
March 14, 2017
Powerful supernatural civil war tale.
Beautifully written, with incredibly solid characters. Horrifying, and brutal as you'd expect. Not my usual type of read, but it was good fortune to have discovered and enjoyed it.
Beautifully written, with incredibly solid characters. Horrifying, and brutal as you'd expect. Not my usual type of read, but it was good fortune to have discovered and enjoyed it.
August 28, 2015
Edward M. Erdelac in his new book, “Andersonville” published by Hydra introduces us to Barclay Lourdes.
From the back cover: Readers of Stephen King and Joe Hill will devour this bold, terrifying new novel from Edward M. Erdelac. A mysterious man posing as a Union soldier risks everything to enter the Civil War’s deadliest prison—only to find a horror beyond human reckoning.
Georgia, 1864. Camp Sumter, aka Andersonville, has earned a reputation as an open sewer of sadistic cruelty and terror where death may come at any minute. But as the Union prisoners of war pray for escape, cursing the fate that spared them a quicker end, one man makes his way into the camp purposefully.
Barclay Lourdes has a mission—and a secret. But right now his objective is merely to survive the hellish camp. The slightest misstep summons the full fury of the autocratic commander, Captain Wirz, and the brutal Sergeant Turner. Meanwhile, a band of shiftless thieves and criminals known as the “Raiders” preys upon their fellow prisoners. Barclay soon finds that Andersonville is even less welcoming to a black man—especially when that man is not who he claims to be. Little does he imagine that he’s about to encounter supernatural terrors beyond his wildest dreams . . . or nightmares.
Andersonville was a prisoner of war camp run by The South during The Civil War. Because of the people who ran it, it was a truly evil place. It was a place that the prisoners wanted to escape from. It was not a place that one entered deliberately nor under an assumed guise. Yet that is exactly what happens here. Barclay has his reasons for being there and he is in for the fight of his life. There is a supernatural element to this story that is woven into the atrocities that were really committed at that camp. And, somehow, it works. Let me put it this way if you are looking for a very exciting read that will keep you guessing as to what will happen next then look no further you have found it. “Andersonville” hits the ground running and does not let you go. Get yourself a soda, make a big bowl of popcorn and settle in as this book is going to have you reading just as fast as you can trying to keep up with what happens next.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Readers of Stephen King and Joe Hill will devour this bold, terrifying new novel from Edward M. Erdelac. A mysterious man posing as a Union soldier risks everything to enter the Civil War’s deadliest prison—only to find a horror beyond human reckoning.
Georgia, 1864. Camp Sumter, aka Andersonville, has earned a reputation as an open sewer of sadistic cruelty and terror where death may come at any minute. But as the Union prisoners of war pray for escape, cursing the fate that spared them a quicker end, one man makes his way into the camp purposefully.
Barclay Lourdes has a mission—and a secret. But right now his objective is merely to survive the hellish camp. The slightest misstep summons the full fury of the autocratic commander, Captain Wirz, and the brutal Sergeant Turner. Meanwhile, a band of shiftless thieves and criminals known as the “Raiders” preys upon their fellow prisoners. Barclay soon finds that Andersonville is even less welcoming to a black man—especially when that man is not who he claims to be. Little does he imagine that he’s about to encounter supernatural terrors beyond his wildest dreams . . . or nightmares.
Andersonville was a prisoner of war camp run by The South during The Civil War. Because of the people who ran it, it was a truly evil place. It was a place that the prisoners wanted to escape from. It was not a place that one entered deliberately nor under an assumed guise. Yet that is exactly what happens here. Barclay has his reasons for being there and he is in for the fight of his life. There is a supernatural element to this story that is woven into the atrocities that were really committed at that camp. And, somehow, it works. Let me put it this way if you are looking for a very exciting read that will keep you guessing as to what will happen next then look no further you have found it. “Andersonville” hits the ground running and does not let you go. Get yourself a soda, make a big bowl of popcorn and settle in as this book is going to have you reading just as fast as you can trying to keep up with what happens next.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 13, 2017
Read as part of the TLC Book Tour Aug/Sept 2015
We are introduced to our protagonist Barclay Lourdes as he leaps onto a moving train transporting Union soldiers to the Confederate's prison camp, Camp Sumpter. He assumes the identity of a dead soldier and partners up with fellow prisoner Charlie. Together they attempt to find their place within the camp, quickly adapting to their environment in order to survive in their brutal surroundings where nobody or anything is as it seems.
There's not a lot more to add as the synopsis says enough without giving too much of the plot away so I'll leave it at that.
This is an extremely well written horror novel set in arguably one of the bloodiest times in American history. The true horror is that Camp Sumpter (Andersonville) was indeed a 'hell on earth' and that there can be no overplay of the horror and brutality these men suffered daily in their nightmarish struggle to survive death, madness, disease and starvation. My initial concerns were that Andersonville was going to evolve into a zombie style farce which in my opinion would belittle the credibility of the plot, but to my relief this didn't happen. Instead it took on a supernatural twist involving an occult detective which enhanced the dark menacing atmosphere of the camp and certainly didn't take anything away from the horror of the real Andersonville.
Erdelac's blending of factual and fictional characters together with a supernatural element is well measured without it becoming implausible or laughable.
The intensity builds at a steady pace increasing the atmospheric tension and creating a sense of evil foreboding. I felt concern and fearful for the camps inhabitants. Although I thought the pacing was a little slow at times Andersonville was a thoroughly compelling and engaging read. It is a unique piece of alternative history and certainly as good as the best from the likes of Stephen King and Joe Hill. I highly recommend Edward M Erdelac's novel to not only fans of the horror genre, but to anyone interested in the American Civil War with something a little different to their usual read.
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of Andersonville was provided by TLC Book Tours via Netgalley in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
We are introduced to our protagonist Barclay Lourdes as he leaps onto a moving train transporting Union soldiers to the Confederate's prison camp, Camp Sumpter. He assumes the identity of a dead soldier and partners up with fellow prisoner Charlie. Together they attempt to find their place within the camp, quickly adapting to their environment in order to survive in their brutal surroundings where nobody or anything is as it seems.
There's not a lot more to add as the synopsis says enough without giving too much of the plot away so I'll leave it at that.
This is an extremely well written horror novel set in arguably one of the bloodiest times in American history. The true horror is that Camp Sumpter (Andersonville) was indeed a 'hell on earth' and that there can be no overplay of the horror and brutality these men suffered daily in their nightmarish struggle to survive death, madness, disease and starvation. My initial concerns were that Andersonville was going to evolve into a zombie style farce which in my opinion would belittle the credibility of the plot, but to my relief this didn't happen. Instead it took on a supernatural twist involving an occult detective which enhanced the dark menacing atmosphere of the camp and certainly didn't take anything away from the horror of the real Andersonville.
Erdelac's blending of factual and fictional characters together with a supernatural element is well measured without it becoming implausible or laughable.
The intensity builds at a steady pace increasing the atmospheric tension and creating a sense of evil foreboding. I felt concern and fearful for the camps inhabitants. Although I thought the pacing was a little slow at times Andersonville was a thoroughly compelling and engaging read. It is a unique piece of alternative history and certainly as good as the best from the likes of Stephen King and Joe Hill. I highly recommend Edward M Erdelac's novel to not only fans of the horror genre, but to anyone interested in the American Civil War with something a little different to their usual read.
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of Andersonville was provided by TLC Book Tours via Netgalley in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
September 30, 2015
A gory horror tale whose strength lies mostly in its depictions of the real-world conditions at Andersonville Prison during the American Civil War.
Like one of those WWII movies that makes a group of Nazis even more evil by turning them into zombies or vampires, this book initially seems like it'll take some Confederate prison guards and leaders and make them demonic. But to its credit, the book doesn't try to make generalizations about all southerners. Racism and slavery are important background elements to be sure, but part of the plot revolves around who is or isn't possessed by, or working for, the demons inside the prison, be they Union or Confederate. However, that being said, it's not as if the reader is meant to question which side to route for! Especially with the main protagonist being a free black man who is secretly working for the Union as a spy.
I didn't particularly care for the overblown supernatural apocalypse plot, and I found myself skimming over all of the passages concerning the nature of the demons and the secret society of supernaturalists. The latter is linked to the protagonist's practice of voodoo in an interesting way, though at times it also felt like the voodoo was shoehorned in simply because he was black and/or originally from New Orleans. Andersonville Prison was horrific enough without all these trimmings. The whole book would arguably have been an even better psychological horror piece if the demonic elements were left more mysterious or circumscribed. More The Crucible and less B-movie.
Because the book is set in a men's prison, there weren't many female characters. Given the context, that would be just fine. There's one woman hiding as a man (though it strains believably that she wasn't caught out), and the rest exist mostly in flashbacks. Pretty much all of them are reduced to their reproductive capabilities, though. That bothered me. Would Euchariste, for example, not have been just as important and tragic if she'd not been pregnant?
** I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley **
Like one of those WWII movies that makes a group of Nazis even more evil by turning them into zombies or vampires, this book initially seems like it'll take some Confederate prison guards and leaders and make them demonic. But to its credit, the book doesn't try to make generalizations about all southerners. Racism and slavery are important background elements to be sure, but part of the plot revolves around who is or isn't possessed by, or working for, the demons inside the prison, be they Union or Confederate. However, that being said, it's not as if the reader is meant to question which side to route for! Especially with the main protagonist being a free black man who is secretly working for the Union as a spy.
I didn't particularly care for the overblown supernatural apocalypse plot, and I found myself skimming over all of the passages concerning the nature of the demons and the secret society of supernaturalists. The latter is linked to the protagonist's practice of voodoo in an interesting way, though at times it also felt like the voodoo was shoehorned in simply because he was black and/or originally from New Orleans. Andersonville Prison was horrific enough without all these trimmings. The whole book would arguably have been an even better psychological horror piece if the demonic elements were left more mysterious or circumscribed. More The Crucible and less B-movie.
Because the book is set in a men's prison, there weren't many female characters. Given the context, that would be just fine. There's one woman hiding as a man (though it strains believably that she wasn't caught out), and the rest exist mostly in flashbacks. Pretty much all of them are reduced to their reproductive capabilities, though. That bothered me. Would Euchariste, for example, not have been just as important and tragic if she'd not been pregnant?
** I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley **
July 24, 2015
Edward Erdelac certainly did his research on the Andersonville prison camp for his new novel. The vivid descriptions of the conditions at this Civil War detention center rival any otherworldly horrors that could be imagined, largely because they are based in facts.
Despite the factual background this is not a nonfiction work, rather more of an alternate history of the reasons behind the amount of human suffering concentrated in these 26 acres. Barclay Lourdes enters the prison posing as a captured Negro soldier, but is actually there to uncover a possible supernatural element to Andersonville that could threaten not only the North, but the entire world.
The real world setting combined with an occult detective angle make this a unique read, and the large cast of characters (some historical) are all fully formed. I haven't read a novel with such a take on a horror story before, and it has made me a fan of Edward Erdelac's writing. Not only horror fans would enjoy this, but historical fiction and Civil War buffs should snatch Andersonville right away. 5 stars, highest recommendation.
Despite the factual background this is not a nonfiction work, rather more of an alternate history of the reasons behind the amount of human suffering concentrated in these 26 acres. Barclay Lourdes enters the prison posing as a captured Negro soldier, but is actually there to uncover a possible supernatural element to Andersonville that could threaten not only the North, but the entire world.
The real world setting combined with an occult detective angle make this a unique read, and the large cast of characters (some historical) are all fully formed. I haven't read a novel with such a take on a horror story before, and it has made me a fan of Edward Erdelac's writing. Not only horror fans would enjoy this, but historical fiction and Civil War buffs should snatch Andersonville right away. 5 stars, highest recommendation.
March 31, 2021
This book is really scary.
I should just leave it at that, but I know you want me to elaborate.
Andersonville was a real place. During the Civil War the south had a camp where they kept their POWs. The south was losing and barely had enough money to provide for their own troops, so this camp had no budget. Camp Sumter, aka Andersonville, was the worst place to be for a union soldier, much less a black one. Andersonville was known for its cruel condition where death, disease, and starvation abound. The author of this story, Edward M Erdelac has re imagined Andersonville and all it’s horror, and then added a paranormal twist. This story the thing of nightmares.
I really enjoyed this story. I really enjoyed the pacing of this story. It was a slow, scary, build up into something very evil. The author threw in famous and infamous characters and their dialects making me wonder about what really happened. I highly recommend this macabre story for real horror fans.
August 22, 2015
REVIEW: ANDERSONVILLE by Edward M. Erdelac
ANDERSONVILLE is intense, compelling, exceptional, outstanding, and a definite BEST OF 2015! [It's also not your father's Civil War history--with apologies to MacKinlay Kantor.] If you're looking for an inside view of the horrors of Camp Sumter [Andersonville], you'll find it here--along with references to Libby Prison and Camp Thunder (both in Richmond). If you want to examine man's I humanity to man, you'll find that here too, along with superb, engrossing, writing. But that's not all. ANDERSONVILLE is an introductory education into Hoodoo, Voudoun, Cabala, and the Western magickal tradition. ANDERSONVILLE is hell on earth--literally and metaphysically.
[My first visit to Andersonville National Park in 1974, then again in 1995. For the past 9.5 years, I have been living 11 miles away.]
ANDERSONVILLE is intense, compelling, exceptional, outstanding, and a definite BEST OF 2015! [It's also not your father's Civil War history--with apologies to MacKinlay Kantor.] If you're looking for an inside view of the horrors of Camp Sumter [Andersonville], you'll find it here--along with references to Libby Prison and Camp Thunder (both in Richmond). If you want to examine man's I humanity to man, you'll find that here too, along with superb, engrossing, writing. But that's not all. ANDERSONVILLE is an introductory education into Hoodoo, Voudoun, Cabala, and the Western magickal tradition. ANDERSONVILLE is hell on earth--literally and metaphysically.
[My first visit to Andersonville National Park in 1974, then again in 1995. For the past 9.5 years, I have been living 11 miles away.]
February 11, 2016
Ridiculous Weird Fiction accounting of strange doings at a Confederate prison camp. Ham-handed references to real-life people, clunky dialogue, vaguely disrespectful conceit--reasonably propulsive, though, and cinematic and creative.
Want to read
June 19, 2015Score! I hope this is as good as it sounds.
July 27, 2015
Ed knocked this story out of the park. more words once I've dwelled a little on what Ive just read. In short, Andersonville is one of the best books ive read this year
September 21, 2016
A unique horror historical novel with a strong protagonist. I'm going to read more by Erdelac.
August 31, 2018
An unexpected delight.
This wasn't exactly my usual fare but I'm very glad I gave it a try.
The characters are well written and one quickly feels for them. What really struck me, however was the author's ability to not only transport us to the American Civil War but to make us feel as though we were inhabiting that dreadful stockade with the unfortunate prisoners.
There are a few surprises and the supernatural twist take a while to build. I did feel that the ending was a little but rushed and anticlimactic but otherwise, this was a very entertaining read.
Highly recommended.
This wasn't exactly my usual fare but I'm very glad I gave it a try.
The characters are well written and one quickly feels for them. What really struck me, however was the author's ability to not only transport us to the American Civil War but to make us feel as though we were inhabiting that dreadful stockade with the unfortunate prisoners.
There are a few surprises and the supernatural twist take a while to build. I did feel that the ending was a little but rushed and anticlimactic but otherwise, this was a very entertaining read.
Highly recommended.
August 31, 2024
I'm going to mark the rest of this review as a spoiler, but if you've looked at the cover or read a single blurb, there are no spoilers!
June 4, 2017
Interesting if a touch over done
I wasn't always a fan of the writing. There's too much narrative and the author was determined to share every scrap of research and back story. The writing is a bit stuffy at times but the story is good. The characters are well thought out, the plot is intriguing and the end both what you expected and not what you expected. Worth the time to read.
I wasn't always a fan of the writing. There's too much narrative and the author was determined to share every scrap of research and back story. The writing is a bit stuffy at times but the story is good. The characters are well thought out, the plot is intriguing and the end both what you expected and not what you expected. Worth the time to read.
May 24, 2017
If you like a little horror in your history, this one's for you. Set in the infamous Andersonville prison camp during the American Civil War, this book proposes that it was more than just human indifference that caused the starvation and endless suffering of the camp's residents.
It's a little long for what it is but I couldn't put it down.
It's a little long for what it is but I couldn't put it down.
February 16, 2025
I'D READ THAT ANDERSONVILLE WAS HELL...
... But this version comes complete with demons and Hellhounds.
Historical fiction at its wildest. The prison camp we've all heard about has an unholy mission. It might end the war, and it might end the world.
Memorable characters. A passing knowledge of voodoo will help.
... But this version comes complete with demons and Hellhounds.
Historical fiction at its wildest. The prison camp we've all heard about has an unholy mission. It might end the war, and it might end the world.
Memorable characters. A passing knowledge of voodoo will help.
August 8, 2017
I liked it but a lot of the story beats could have been clearer and the characters could have been a bit more developed.
September 3, 2021
I finished the Andersonville horror novel and was impressed by how bad it was. Wasted my time reading the thing. They should put a disclaimer on the front.
March 9, 2025
The beginning was good but later on it started to get boring with the voodoo.
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