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The Throwback
A family saga of forbidden love, hatred, overcoming hardship and helping others. Can good triumph over evil?
A baby’s birth to George Elwood’s wife on their South Carolina plantation threatens to cause a scandal, but the funeral of mother and child seems to ensure the truth will never be known.
Years later Elwood's son, Thomas, is rescued from disaster by a slave girl, Mosa. Helping her in return, he discovers the secrets of his family which set him on a collision course with his father and the law.
Mosa makes it North to freedom but even in New York, she finds her life is threatened. Receiving unexpected news, she must decide whether to risk her life and return to the South during the height of the Civil War.
The gripping sequel, Sweet Bitter Freedom, is also available on Amazon.
A baby’s birth to George Elwood’s wife on their South Carolina plantation threatens to cause a scandal, but the funeral of mother and child seems to ensure the truth will never be known.
Years later Elwood's son, Thomas, is rescued from disaster by a slave girl, Mosa. Helping her in return, he discovers the secrets of his family which set him on a collision course with his father and the law.
Mosa makes it North to freedom but even in New York, she finds her life is threatened. Receiving unexpected news, she must decide whether to risk her life and return to the South during the height of the Civil War.
The gripping sequel, Sweet Bitter Freedom, is also available on Amazon.
215 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2018
About the author
David Canford
20 books43 followersWriting historical fiction, David Canford is able to combine his love of history and travel in novels that take readers on a rollercoaster journey through time and place with characters who face struggle and hardship but where resilience, love and forgiveness can overcome hatred and oppression.
He has also written two novels about the future, and a travelogue.
David has three grown up daughters and lives on the south coast of England with his wife and their dog.
For news about new releases and more visit www.davidcanford.com or visit him on Facebook or Instagram.
He has also written two novels about the future, and a travelogue.
David has three grown up daughters and lives on the south coast of England with his wife and their dog.
For news about new releases and more visit www.davidcanford.com or visit him on Facebook or Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
May 6, 2022
A Whirlwind
David Canford has been my friend for years on GR, exchanging Likes. And not once has he ever asked me to read any of his books. I kept trying different books, but I could not get into them. Then I happened on David’s page. I saw this book, so I thought to check it out a Civil War novel. I love Civil War novels, and I bet David knew this, but he never said a word. I appreciate that.
So, I bought this book and began reading it. I could not put it down and will read its sequel. After reding “Gone with the Wind” and hating it because of its racism and boring story with horrible characters, I had wished that someone had written a book that was anti-racist. Well, that is what David did.
The book begins with a family who owns a plantation, and the lady of the house was pregnant with child. When she had the baby, her husband took one look at Its brown skin, and it had to go. He gave it to one of the Black slaves, Maisy, and said, “Take it to the river and drown it.” He soon dealt with his wife. Well, the baby, Mosa, survived, and she is the throwback. The rest of the story is a whirlwind of events, the reason why I could ;not put it down.
David Canford has been my friend for years on GR, exchanging Likes. And not once has he ever asked me to read any of his books. I kept trying different books, but I could not get into them. Then I happened on David’s page. I saw this book, so I thought to check it out a Civil War novel. I love Civil War novels, and I bet David knew this, but he never said a word. I appreciate that.
So, I bought this book and began reading it. I could not put it down and will read its sequel. After reding “Gone with the Wind” and hating it because of its racism and boring story with horrible characters, I had wished that someone had written a book that was anti-racist. Well, that is what David did.
The book begins with a family who owns a plantation, and the lady of the house was pregnant with child. When she had the baby, her husband took one look at Its brown skin, and it had to go. He gave it to one of the Black slaves, Maisy, and said, “Take it to the river and drown it.” He soon dealt with his wife. Well, the baby, Mosa, survived, and she is the throwback. The rest of the story is a whirlwind of events, the reason why I could ;not put it down.
August 9, 2021
A quick but uncomfortable read
A quick view of Nazi Germany and how two specific families were affected. For a reader familiar with the history of WW2 and the holocaust the knowledge that very bad things are coming makes this an uncomfortable read. If a reader is not familiar with the history, he should be, and this book is a well written quick introduction to it.
A quick view of Nazi Germany and how two specific families were affected. For a reader familiar with the history of WW2 and the holocaust the knowledge that very bad things are coming makes this an uncomfortable read. If a reader is not familiar with the history, he should be, and this book is a well written quick introduction to it.
July 13, 2018
Hard to put down!
After reading over 200 Holocaust memoirs, I almost passed this book up just because of the title. I'm glad I didn't. I am sure that there were many Germans like the main character that were indoctrinated and changed by Hitler's hate. Some of them still saved lives, and the author did a very good job of showing the complexity of this issue. The narrative flowed very well, the characters are believable and the ending was perfect. I read it one sitting in one day. A definite must read.
After reading over 200 Holocaust memoirs, I almost passed this book up just because of the title. I'm glad I didn't. I am sure that there were many Germans like the main character that were indoctrinated and changed by Hitler's hate. Some of them still saved lives, and the author did a very good job of showing the complexity of this issue. The narrative flowed very well, the characters are believable and the ending was perfect. I read it one sitting in one day. A definite must read.
March 18, 2019
This was a wonderful book about two friends-Torsten and Joseph. The boys become great friends and Joseph's father educates Torsten in a trade-making and repairing shoes. Joseph teaches his friend to ski. This would be a wonderful life if society didn't step in and make a war Nazi vs Jews. The plot is about how the war came between the two friends and it was very hard to put the book down.
December 12, 2018
Good Read!
Looking back in history and what people went through can be so disheartening but you also realize history has a way of repeating itself. Love for one another, determination to succeed and Faith, Still holds true! Mosa lived that!
Looking back in history and what people went through can be so disheartening but you also realize history has a way of repeating itself. Love for one another, determination to succeed and Faith, Still holds true! Mosa lived that!
January 7, 2020
Great characters
Great fast paced book about a bad time in history. I had a hard time putting it down, just wanted to see what was happening next.
Great fast paced book about a bad time in history. I had a hard time putting it down, just wanted to see what was happening next.
March 4, 2022
This book is another interesting short story. It must be very difficult for the boys during the war broke out. This book is called “A good Nazi” by David Canford. During the mid 1930s, Torsten, a good German boy is pushed by older kids. Joseph, a Jewish boy saved him. They try for a place on the German ski team for the 1936 Winter Olympics. Joseph father help Torsten to work with him become a good shoemaker. Torsten’s father becomes depressed and suicide himself. His mother remarried Guber, a Nazi. He and his sister hates stepfather. Later Torsten sister Irigid become involved with Joseph. She was pregnant with his child. His mother decided to take her away so no one to be seen. Guber soon brainwashed Torsten to involve in the Nazis youth, these kids decide to attack Jewish property and even they burned his friend’s family business. Did Joseph escape? The writing is a page turner and it is a real eye-opener because the story was riveting read from the first sentence to the last sentence. It was fast paced and packed with tension, I found myself adrenaline because the story has got me engage with the storyline which are very suspense and vivid characterisations.
August 3, 2018
Sad Sad book but interesting!
Hmmmm without giving too much away this book was sad but interesting. So many victims of hate and prejudice that went beyond skin color but also love. A love of a brother for his sister that hate could not destroy. The more I read of slavery both fiction and non fiction the Civil War was inevitable not only because of slavery but the gross wickedness of that time period that God could not ignore.
Hmmmm without giving too much away this book was sad but interesting. So many victims of hate and prejudice that went beyond skin color but also love. A love of a brother for his sister that hate could not destroy. The more I read of slavery both fiction and non fiction the Civil War was inevitable not only because of slavery but the gross wickedness of that time period that God could not ignore.
July 1, 2018
Excellent!!
Though-provoking historical story about real life in America before and during the Civil War. The events detailed offers insight into more families than one can imagine. Mindless hate is an ugly thing, but love makes a significant difference. Kudos to Mr. Canford for storytelling with clarity and compassion!
Though-provoking historical story about real life in America before and during the Civil War. The events detailed offers insight into more families than one can imagine. Mindless hate is an ugly thing, but love makes a significant difference. Kudos to Mr. Canford for storytelling with clarity and compassion!
March 24, 2019
A survivor of guilt, hardship, and loneliness.
This, for me was a difficult book to review. It at first seemed to move too quickly without enough depth, but as the story progressed I began to relate to the main character, his hardship and his loneliness and by the book's end I was thoroughly entertained, wishing the story would continue.
This, for me was a difficult book to review. It at first seemed to move too quickly without enough depth, but as the story progressed I began to relate to the main character, his hardship and his loneliness and by the book's end I was thoroughly entertained, wishing the story would continue.
July 10, 2018
A Solid Historical Novel
Some good period details fill this book, but I would have loved more. This is a short read, which could have been even better if longer. There was potential to develop the characters more, but I enjoyed what I read. The author clearly knows his history.
Some good period details fill this book, but I would have loved more. This is a short read, which could have been even better if longer. There was potential to develop the characters more, but I enjoyed what I read. The author clearly knows his history.
June 21, 2018
Is being fooled by your surroundings or the popular belief systems that you are stuck with a crime? A Good Nazi? investigates this question through the lens of history, mainly during the World War II Germany and Russia and sometime after that.
In the story, in Germany during the mid-1930s, when a young German boy, Torsten, is pushed around by older hostile kids in the school, Joseph, a Jewish boy, comes to his rescue. The two boys become friends after that and Joseph’s father helps Torsten learn shoe-making. Then, Torsten’s older sister Ingrid becomes involved with Joseph unbeknownst to Torsten. Torsten’s mother, however, has remarried, and the stepfather Gruber is an important Nazi who succeeds to entice Torsten’s older brother Frans into the Hitler-Jugend, or Hitler’s Youth, where Frans becomes also important. Eventually, Torsten, too, is forced to be a part of that same group.
After Hitler seizes power, everything becomes worse, especially during the Kristallnacht. Yet, this is only the beginning of the story. What happens to all these people later becomes the essence of this novel.
As the main character, Torsten is weak of will but greatly resilient. What I didn’t like about his character has to do with why he insists on seeing Frans for the last time and what happens when he sees him. Still, the author has to be applauded for not turning Torsten into a hero but not putting him down all that much, either. I saw Torsten as a human being, good and bad and gullible. The other characters are also drawn well.
The settings, as to the place and time, are described and shown effectively and in detail.
The plot has good moments in the beginning, but after the midway point, those moments become scarce and the pace quickens a bit much. Although the scene transitions are pretty smooth, I had hoped for more of those poignant incidents or moments throughout the novel.
To wrap it up, this is a good novel, written in clear succinct language, and I really appreciate the author's idealism with the premise of his story.
In the story, in Germany during the mid-1930s, when a young German boy, Torsten, is pushed around by older hostile kids in the school, Joseph, a Jewish boy, comes to his rescue. The two boys become friends after that and Joseph’s father helps Torsten learn shoe-making. Then, Torsten’s older sister Ingrid becomes involved with Joseph unbeknownst to Torsten. Torsten’s mother, however, has remarried, and the stepfather Gruber is an important Nazi who succeeds to entice Torsten’s older brother Frans into the Hitler-Jugend, or Hitler’s Youth, where Frans becomes also important. Eventually, Torsten, too, is forced to be a part of that same group.
After Hitler seizes power, everything becomes worse, especially during the Kristallnacht. Yet, this is only the beginning of the story. What happens to all these people later becomes the essence of this novel.
As the main character, Torsten is weak of will but greatly resilient. What I didn’t like about his character has to do with why he insists on seeing Frans for the last time and what happens when he sees him. Still, the author has to be applauded for not turning Torsten into a hero but not putting him down all that much, either. I saw Torsten as a human being, good and bad and gullible. The other characters are also drawn well.
The settings, as to the place and time, are described and shown effectively and in detail.
The plot has good moments in the beginning, but after the midway point, those moments become scarce and the pace quickens a bit much. Although the scene transitions are pretty smooth, I had hoped for more of those poignant incidents or moments throughout the novel.
To wrap it up, this is a good novel, written in clear succinct language, and I really appreciate the author's idealism with the premise of his story.
July 11, 2021
I was disappointed and almost annoyed at this book. I don’t know if it was just my copy, but there was punctuation missing, misspelled words (not on purpose), and none of the paragraphs were indented. The writing was blocky, the quotes forced and not natural conversation. I think the plot was decent, but execution was poor. I think more character development and sectioning the book into different viewpoints would help. Another thing that annoyed me was Mosa’s speech; when she’s a slave it’s very authentic southern slave language but after learning to read and write after a few months she’s suddenly speaking like a lady when she runs away to New York. I finished the book because it was a short read and I wanted to know what would happen but I will not be reading the sequel.
One more thing, if Thomas and Mosa really did fall in love with each other, I feel like they would have been more emotional about being siblings. But instead they were like, “Oh, okay the person I love I now need to love as a brother/sister. No big deal lets move on.” The story was rushed.
One more thing, if Thomas and Mosa really did fall in love with each other, I feel like they would have been more emotional about being siblings. But instead they were like, “Oh, okay the person I love I now need to love as a brother/sister. No big deal lets move on.” The story was rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2021
The story of race, social status and family, this book held promise but ended up being a major disappointment.
Set in the pre-Civil War days and through the war itself, it should have been filled with historical facts and rich, deep descriptions of life on a plantation and the people who lived there.
Instead, it was thrown together with minimal setting and dialogue so poorly written, I was shaking my head throughout.
Set mostly in South Carolina, the illiterate enslaved people on the plantation spoke near perfect English, using words that only their rich, educated owners would know, and perhaps use in daily conversation.
The original plot was good but it didn’t take long to deviate from it and in the end, there wasn’t one character I felt a connection with.
It was filled with too many coincidences and painted an inaccurate portrait of the people living in the South during a tumultuous period in America’s history.
The novel ended somewhat abruptly and that’s when I learned it was the first in a series.
I won’t be reading the next.
Set in the pre-Civil War days and through the war itself, it should have been filled with historical facts and rich, deep descriptions of life on a plantation and the people who lived there.
Instead, it was thrown together with minimal setting and dialogue so poorly written, I was shaking my head throughout.
Set mostly in South Carolina, the illiterate enslaved people on the plantation spoke near perfect English, using words that only their rich, educated owners would know, and perhaps use in daily conversation.
The original plot was good but it didn’t take long to deviate from it and in the end, there wasn’t one character I felt a connection with.
It was filled with too many coincidences and painted an inaccurate portrait of the people living in the South during a tumultuous period in America’s history.
The novel ended somewhat abruptly and that’s when I learned it was the first in a series.
I won’t be reading the next.
January 15, 2019
Mosa is a baby girl born on a southern plantation before the Civil War, without her Father's pre-knowledge that he had a half white-Negro great grandmother, Mosa was born brown. Mosa's father rejects his wife, thinking she's had relations with one of their slaves to produce a brown baby, and the baby girl, disposing of them in different ways from the plantation. Life goes on with a historical story of life on plantations, there is much drama between families, and through circumstances, and now a young woman, Mosa obtains possession and returns to the plantation she was born during the Civil War. A good story.
March 9, 2019
I found this book to be enthralling and absorbing, and thoroughly believable. The characters were real. The author paints a vivid portrait of a slice of history, and the people who were there when it happened. There are a mixture of tragedies and triumphs. I am so glad that there is a sequel, as I was really hoping to find out what happened to the main characters in the book.
August 7, 2018
Great Story
A wonderful endearing book,even though it was about slavery.
The characters were real & memorable.
I couldn't wait to read the next page.
Would recommend to anyone.I read it in one sitting
A wonderful endearing book,even though it was about slavery.
The characters were real & memorable.
I couldn't wait to read the next page.
Would recommend to anyone.I read it in one sitting
August 18, 2018
An excellent book about before and during the Civil War. I enjoyed the plot, the characters, the setting, also, the actions between the master and the slaves. Mosa made the story come alive. Thanks David for a good historical novel .
February 1, 2020
Such a beautiful and different story.
I have always loved the stories of American civil war.
And this one is very differently told.
The characters are very nicely developed..waiting to read the sequel.
I have always loved the stories of American civil war.
And this one is very differently told.
The characters are very nicely developed..waiting to read the sequel.
August 14, 2020
Very good read!
Such a thought provoking story in a quick read. I couldn't put it down. So much happening, surprises, and an ending that compelled me to go on to the next in the series.
Such a thought provoking story in a quick read. I couldn't put it down. So much happening, surprises, and an ending that compelled me to go on to the next in the series.
September 21, 2020
It's a story about slavery seen in a different light. The twists and turns that the reader is taken on is very compelling to the story line. I enjoyed the book from page one. The story captivates you to continue reading to find what happens next. I highly recommend this book.
January 11, 2021
Great read!!!
Once I opened this book, I just couldn't put it down! I read the entire book in one night burning the midnight oil into early morning. Never a dull moment! Patricia
Once I opened this book, I just couldn't put it down! I read the entire book in one night burning the midnight oil into early morning. Never a dull moment! Patricia
February 1, 2021
The Throwback
It is somewhat disturbing to comment that this was a great story about an awful subject. Yet it was. There were heroes both white and black, cruelty and hope, despair and love
It is somewhat disturbing to comment that this was a great story about an awful subject. Yet it was. There were heroes both white and black, cruelty and hope, despair and love
July 4, 2018
A Real Page Turner
This was a great read that was hard to put down .There were new, interesting circumstances, twists and turns. A suspensful historical novel to the very end.
This was a great read that was hard to put down .There were new, interesting circumstances, twists and turns. A suspensful historical novel to the very end.
November 26, 2018
Wow
Great book from first page to the last. I couldn't put it down. Easy, quick read on a difficult time in history.
Great book from first page to the last. I couldn't put it down. Easy, quick read on a difficult time in history.
January 3, 2020
Great book
Love this book could not put it down a real page tuner on to book two.great book every one ☝☝☝
Love this book could not put it down a real page tuner on to book two.great book every one ☝☝☝
July 26, 2020
The Throwback: The Girl Who Didn’t Belong
I really enjoyed this book. I love stories set during the Civil War. Looking forward to reading the follow up book.
I really enjoyed this book. I love stories set during the Civil War. Looking forward to reading the follow up book.
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September 27, 2020Compelling Story
Well written about life in the South , good plot and characters. Paints a accurate picture of slavery. Looking forward to the next book
Well written about life in the South , good plot and characters. Paints a accurate picture of slavery. Looking forward to the next book
May 9, 2021
This reads like a YA novel. Plot moves with dialogue. Predictable and full of stereotypes.
October 1, 2025
Canford has clearly done some research, though he gets several details wrong--and the whole concept is based on a genetic impossibility. Yes, before modern genetics people THOUGHT a dark-skinned ancestor's appearance could recur further down the family tree (unless BOTH parents have dark-skinned ancestors, it can't). I like the name Mosa and the story kept my attention at least with its lightning pace. But this felt more like an outline than an actual novel. Canford tries to tackle too much in too little space, and the result is barely-there settings and characters who have as about as much depth as a plank of wood--not to mention the modern phrases and the ridiculous coincidence near the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews