The Clouds of War

Across the Great Divide #1

by Michael L. Ross

Lexington, Kentucky, 1859. After saving John Hunt Morgan from a puma attack, fifteen-year-old farm boy Will Crump joins Hunt's militia, the Lexington Rifles. Morgan mentors Will and enrolls him in the local university, where he hopes to study law. As tensions rise between the North and South, Will is torn between his loyalty to Morgan and his love for his family. Will's father, sisters, and sweetheart follow the Union, while Morgan and Will commit to the South. As part of Morgan's band, Will participates in ambushes and unconventional warfare until his first real battle at Shiloh. He fights bravely, but increasingly questions what the war is accomplishing, and whether his devotion to honor has led him astray. And where is God in all this killing?

Will's sister Albinia, friend of the Clay family, becomes increasingly aware of the plight of the slaves. When she finds Luther, a slave she knows, trying to escape, she must decide between her conscience, and her friends. She becomes involved in the Underground Railroad, helping slaves to freedom - but will it cost her love and her freedom?

Will's other sister, Julia, is approaching spinster status and despairs of ever meeting a man who can give her more than life on a farm until she meets Hiram Johannsen, a son of immigrants who owns a steamship company. They marry and she makes a new life in the North. When Hiram answers the call to fight for the North, Julia runs the steamboat company in her husband's absence and uses her boats to help Albinia ferry escaped slaves to freedom. Her business relations put her in the perfect position to spy for the North. When the Confederates capture her, will she survive?

Luther is one of the first slaves Albinia helps flee the South after his master cruelly abuses his mother and sister. He escapes with his family, and when war breaks out, he fights for the North as an auxiliary of the Third Ohio Cavalry, alongside Julia's husband, Hiram, and against Morgan and Will. Luther has to confront the demons of his past, an abusive master, and a slave catcher that kills his little sister. Will the desire for revenge destroy him?

Throughout the war, Will is forced to examine and question everything he believes in--his faith in God, his love for his family, his loyalty to Morgan, and his worth as a human being.

Will and his family must somehow mend the torn fabric of relationships to find peace, and reach Across the Great Divide.

Genres: Historical Fiction

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2019

About the author

Michael Ross is a lover of history and great stories. He’s a retired software engineer turned author, with three children, and five grandchildren, living in Newton, Kansas with his wife of 42 years. Michael graduated from Rice University and Portland State University with degrees in German and software engineering. He was part of an MBA program at Boston University. He was born in Lubbock, Texas, and still loves Texas. He’s written short stories and technical articles in the past, as well as articles for the Texas Historical Society. Across the Great Divide now has three novels in the series, “The Clouds of War”, “The Search”, and “The Founding”. The series has won many awards and positive reviews, including Silver Medal Book of the Year from the Coffee Pot Book Club (The Search), Honorable Mention Book of the Year (Clouds of War), Five Star Firebird award, Five Star Chanticleer International Book award, shortlisted for the Chanticleer Laramie award 2021, and Publisher’s Weekly positive review. Clouds of War was an Amazon #1 best seller in three categories in 2019. Most recently, The Founding has won a five-star review from The Historical Fiction Company.

Reviews

[Amy Bruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family torn apart by war and an escaped slave fighting for the North and his freedom make Michael L. Ross' Across the Great Divide a gripping read!

The story follows Will, his sisters Julia & Albinia, and Luther, a slave that Albinia helps escape. Set in Kentucky it compellingly gives insight into both sides of the divide. It was fascinating to learn more about the Lexington Rifles militia and the Underground Railroad. For a debut novel, I think Michael's writing was fabulous and he certainly created some memorable characters.

Across the Great Divide was a great read and I can't wait for more from Michael! It's a story of fighting for what you believe in, of what it means to be human, and doing the right thing. I loved it!

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read about the Civil War, and how it did divide families. Will and Robert, a father and son quickly realize they are on opposite sides of the war and are trying to survive, and hope that they are not sending enemy fire upon the other one. Although Will may not be on the "right" side of the battle he still feels he is fighting for his beliefs that he owes a debt to this Captain he is regimented under and that he is fighting for his homeland. Meanwhile, the two older sisters also get themselves into a bit of trouble helping along the Underground Railroad. Although this family has become divided during this war, in the end they all realize that family is family no matter what and that is what matters. I really enjoyed this novel, and I hope that there is another one. This book really gave insight into the war an what the battles were like. Maybe more continuation of Ruth and Luther, or Albinia and Peter... Thank you to Historical Virtual Book Tours and the author for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

[Daniel Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical novels, and “Across the Great Divide” blends fact and fiction perfectly! Like a great rollercoaster, Michael Ross’ debut novel goes up and down with personal crises and national conflict, but it also twists about unexpectedly from character to memorable character in a sprawling story of the Civil War.
Will, an earnest young man whose faith and honor sometimes put him at odds with those he loves, is caught up in the struggles of a country grappling with its own destiny.
The issues that compel and separate people in ‘neutral’ Kentucky as the war breaks out echo our own era. We, too, are caught in a great divide. If you love a good story pulled from history, and if you are person of faith, you will find it hard to put down “The Great Divide” until the last page.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Across the Great Divide is the exciting start to Michael Ross's series, The Clouds of War. I thought the author did a fantastic job to portray the divisions during the American Civil War. I liked the inspiring themes he used that made me deeply think about those times.
I am giving Across the Great Divide a well deserved five plus stars. I am eagerly waiting for the second installment from The Clouds of War series to release. I highly recommend this one.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Lollita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy for a review!
A civil war novel, focused on a family and their friends. The story was good, and fast paced. Plot was about what you would expect for a civil way story, a family dived, run away salves. There were quite a few characters Id have to say Albinia was my favourite she was the strongest character in my opinion, she help move salves out of her home town and worked with the underground railroad. While her brother Will being the only one in the family to really fight and side with the confederates, his reasoning seemed so silly for being morally opposed to slavery but fighting for them under the ideal of "owing" his loyalty to one man that gave him a good break before the war started. Luther was also a good character as a "well looked after" slave but taking the chance and getting his family out of slavery, and being sucked back into the fight.

[Dan Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Clouds of War unveils the horrors that slavery and the civil war inflicted on our nation, using an escaped slave’s quest for freedom and justice, and gripping stories of men and women of the fictional Crump family.

This saga paints a vivid picture of pre-war turmoil in the border state of Kentucky through the eyes of a simple farming family, struggling to survive without slaves. As war descends upon them, their family divides in their loyalties. As his sisters secretly risk their lives and freedom in the Underground Railroad, Will Crump joins a southern militia group headed by John Morgan, to defend his state, even though he doesn’t condone slavery.

Meanwhile, the slave Luther’s mother and sisters are abused by their owners, and decide in the middle of the night to head north. When Albinia Crump notices her white friend’s slave in the streets, she risks everything to save his family. Luther’s riveting journey to free Ohio, only to be accosted by slave hunters, and Albinia’s dangerous romance with a famous abolitionist keep the pages turning.

Ross made me feel like I was there, engaging in the conversations, trying to decide the right paths forward, smelling the gunpowder at Shiloh, raiding with the famous Captain Morgan, nervously asking a father for permission to court his daughter, hiding in a false compartment in a buggy while slave patrols harassed, and experiencing the concentration-camp-like conditions of a Union prison camp.

Historical fiction is my favorite way to learn history, and the author’s research and accuracy was extensive. He brings the thoughts and customs of the time to life. Why would anyone who didn’t believe in slavery join the Confederacy? What rationalizations did slave owners use? What was it like to be a soldier during this war? How did the Underground Railroad shuttle slaves north, and then, were they really free? How were former slaves treated in the free states? How did people talk, and court each other for marriage? Just a few of the fascinating questions that you didn’t even know to ask that will be answered along the Crump family’s journey.

The book started a tad slow as Ross introduced the characters and the setting, but with every page I became more and more hooked. Keep reading – you won’t regret it.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is appropriately named.
I loved reading this book because I love historical fiction and I learned an awful lot in this book.
For a debut novel by Michael Ross this is certainly well done!! His research is exquisite and the characters are wonderful!
It certainly must've been been very hard for the families that were split up during the conflict.
It took a whole lot of courage to stand up for what you believe in. It still does today!
One of the questions that stood put to me was Where is God in all of this? Why does He allow bad things to happen?
I even ask myself that sometimes. I think we all do at one time or another. I think that this is where our Faith comes in. I believe it's because God wants us to trust in Him and come to Him with our burdens to lay at His feet. To us, it's not that easy. Some of us are just too stubborn. Guilty as charged.
I think for myself if I lived then my loyalties would lie with the North. Simply because I'm from there and I don't condone slavery nor did I approve the succession of the South.
I live in Kentucky now but still would be for the North..
I loved reading about how Kentucky was divided.
I also learned about the Lexington Rifles. Just wow!! This author painted some pretty fascinating scenes so well that I was able to imagine myself really there!!
Lexington looks a whole lot different now than it did way back when but I bet deep down some of the feelings are still the same.
Will Will and his family finally find peace and mend torn relationships and be able to reach out across the Great Divide? Y'all will just have to read and find out!!
I strongly recommend this book!
I received a copy of this from HVT. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own

[Adam Garman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I served as a beta-reader, receiving an advance copy. No incentive was offered for this review by either the author or the publisher.

Across the Great Divide: Clouds of War is a Christian YA novel following the adventures and misfortunes of Will Crump and family during the American Civil War.

Michael Ross crafts this story with action, romance and suspense. I enjoyed it overall, but wished the writing was tighter at times. A few characters struck me as archetypical, wholly good or wholly evil, while others were fleshed-out and nuanced.

Everything considered, Across the Great Divide: Clouds of War increased my knowledge and sympathy for those caught in the conflict.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well woven historical fiction that builds engaging characters around a factual framework. The characters’ interactions are closely intertwined, but never too fantastic to be believable for the time and situation. The narrative really gets to the heart of families torn apart by the Civil War and slavery. The characters reference their Christian faith often, as they struggle with the moral and societal issues of slavery and war, but it never crosses the line into being preachy.
I started this book because I’m intrigued by the topic of the 3rd book in the series. Looking forward to book #2 first.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a solid, well-researched story, and I learned a lot about the Civil War. The author does a good job of weaving together separate story lines, and it made me realize just how blurred the boundaries were between the opposing sides—with family members fighting against one another. I like when books make me empathize with those who were on the wrong side of history. It's easy to say "Confederate = bad" without recognizing all of the underlying complexity and nuance.

[Paula Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A teenager forced to examine everything he believes in during the Civil War

Ross has done a marvelous job bringing a teenage boy to life and using young Will to ask the big questions we all ask: like where is God when bad things happen? Ross's characters are so likable and engaging and his portrayal of history is excellent. Really enjoyed this book!

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Perhaps, one day, the color of a man's skin and the money in his pocket will not matter so much as the character in his heart. I pray that day comes quickly. In the meantime, sir, I have met many former slaves with better manners than yourself. Perhaps you could learn from them!"

Fifteen-year-old Will Crump had no idea of what the future would entail for him. After saving John Hunt Morgan from a puma attack, Will is given a chance to fulfil his dreams and become an educated man. There is one catch. If he accepts Morgan's proposition, he has to join the Lexington Rifles.

It is hard to close your eyes once they have been opened. Albinia Crump can no longer remain silent. Her views may be in the minority, but that did not mean that they were wrong, and she would not stand by and allow Luther to be tortured and executed because he dared to try and rescue his family from the brutalisation of their plantation owners. However, this is not something Albinia can fight alone. She needs help, and she needs it now.

Julia Crump is fast approaching spinsterhood, and it is time she settled down and found a husband. However, Julia wants more from life than that of a farmer's wife. Perhaps the handsome Hiram Johannsen will make all of her dreams come true?

From a young man's dream of a golden future to the horrors of Camp Douglas in Chicago, Across the Great Divide: Book 1 The Clouds of War by Michael L. Ross is the story of one family that is torn apart by war, pride, beliefs, and ambition.

Ross has composed a book that is astoundingly ambitious but, in all ways, absolutely triumphant. This story begins at the first muttering of unrest in a country that was not only politically divided but morally divided as well, and it ends with the Confederate surrender in 1865 and the subsequent release of the prisoners of war. In between the pages of this remarkable book is a story of one family who finds themselves on opposite sides during the war between the North and the South of America. It is a tear-jerking story of heroism and tragedy. It is a tale of survival, of fear, hate, and the insufferable torment of the soul that comes from opening fire on your fellow countryman. But this is also a book about forgiveness, mercy, and above everything else, love. Ross has penned an extraordinarily compelling and unforgettable account of one family as they navigated the American Civil War (1861 – 1865).

With astonishing attention to the historical detail, Ross, it seems, has a visceral understanding of the era this book is set in. He also has a novelist's skill to breathe life into people who have long since died. The hours of research that has gone into this book is self-evident — no one can write such crystalline prose without such dedicated devotion to the period. The battle scenes in this book are exceptionally well drawn and were brought vividly back to life — I could smell the blood, and feel the abject terror of the soldiers. I also must mention the depiction of Camp Douglas. — the horrors and the poverty the prisoners of war endured was portrayed with a great deal of skill and diligence to the historical facts. This book is, without a shadow of a doubt, a monumental work of scholarship. It is utterly splendid and a reward for any fan of quality Historical Fiction.

With an almost tangible realism, Ross has given us a protagonist that feels deeply, who is torn by his sense of honour, and who suffers terribly because of his choices. Ross introduces us to a young and to an extent idealistic William Dorsey Crump (1844–1940). Ross has stayed as close to the document history of Crump as he can, but he has also used a little creative licence to resurrect this fascinating character who served under Confederate General John H. Morgan (1825 – 1864). Will is immensely likeable, and like many soldiers on both sides, he doesn't really have much of an opinion on emancipation. He believes he is fighting for his home, and for Morgan. He follows Morgan into Hell on more than one occasion and continues to do so throughout the length of this novel. Will suffers greatly in this book, and he witnesses things, and he does things that haunt his days and torture his nights. Ross has not glossed over the horrors of war, for we see them through Will's eyes, and nor has he neglected the mental toll that such terrible circumstances can have on a person. I was fascinated by Will's journey. It is one of youthful enthusiasm which slowly becomes disenchantment when he loses friends to a brutal and seemingly pointless conflict. Ross has captured the very essence of what life must have been like for a Confederate soldier during this time. Kudos, Mr Ross. Kudos, indeed.

Albinia Crump is a reckless, rash young woman who cannot abide to witness the wickedness of slavery. Many may well justify their rights to own slaves with passages from the Bible, but Albinia knows in her heart that it is wrong and so she must risk everything and she must be prepared to lose everything if she is to stay true to herself. Ross' depiction of Albinia is utterly sublime. Not only has he given his readers a morally good character, but also one that is willing to make many sacrifices because she knows that what she sees is wrong and she cannot stand by and do nothing. Albinia faces many challenges and terrible hardships in this novel, and it would have been very easy for her to retreat into herself and give-up, but her tenacious determination to see this through to the end made her story not only compelling but utterly irresistible.

Julia Crump's story is one that is almost eclipsed by her brother's war and her sister's work with The Underground Railroad, but it still emphasised the lack of empathy that people felt towards slaves and those who had escaped bondage when it came down to economics. There is a genuinely heartbreaking scene in this book where a slave is being beaten very cruelly, but everyone ignores her plight. When Julia questions her mother-in-law why someone is not stopping it, her mother-in-law simply answers that it is "…not our business." Julia may not be as skilled as her sister, but she does try to do her part in undermining the South — although with no formal training as a spy, Julia is a walking disaster, but again this strong sense of doing the right thing makes her a protagonist that a reader can really get behind.

I have to also quickly mention the portrayals of General John H. Morgan and General Basil W. Duke. I thought the depiction of both of these men was marvellous, and once again it showed how much research has gone into writing this book. One more character that deserves recognition as well is Luther. Luther is an escaped slave, and oh my goodness what a terrible journey he finds himself on. Luther's story is utterly heart-rendering, but it also demonstrates the difference one person can make. I thought Luther's depiction was majestic and very real in the telling.

I cannot praise this book enough. Across the Great Divide: Book 1 The Clouds of War by Michael L. Ross is fabulous from start to finish, and I cannot wait to get my hands on Book 2 of what promises to be an unforgettable series.

Fans of John Jakes', North and South trilogy, will find something endlessly fascinating about this novel.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Xerxes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Across the Great Divide is a very well done attempt at displaying how the brutal American Civil War practically destroyed life for Americans due to the issues of slavery and secession. Coming back in 1865 to find your home ruined, your fortunes devastated, and your whole life was wasted. You fought for a cause, and that cause was defeated. The author definitely evokes this kind of attention and detail in this book. The historical research feels superb, and there is never a moment that questions you. You are fully immersed into the time frame. You get to see the grunts of Generals, officers bellowing orders, and men dying for a cause that ultimately was pointless. The American Civil War could have been prevented in many different forms, but that’s alternate history. America’s history has had a list of conflicts dedicated to the rights of states, liberty, freedom you name it. Yet at that very moment, I felt for the soldiers on both sides, that really had no cause to fight each other. However I was more on the side of Luther and the slaves, because had the Civil War not happened, I don’t think we would have seen an improvement in rights for African Americans. The Civil War changed a lot of things regarding slavery. Did the systemic racism and hunting of African American slaves end? It did not. But under Grant, he did a lot more good, even if his government was corrupt. But then again he was a solider, not a politician.


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I liked many of the characters in this epic novel. Some minor nitpicks that I felt, at points the families re-uniting needed a little more difficulty. Sometimes it felt like two families divided on both sides, but it was too easy for them to unite. Now I don’t know myself how easy it was for families to re-unite after the war had ended. It couldn’t have been, considering the economic blockade that Lincoln and General Scott had approved. It could have been that families did re-unite easily, who knows? I would have wanted to seen more difficulty, since Micheal depicted the brutality of war so well. The greatest strength of this novel was depicting Luther’s journey. His journey was extremely difficult. But he survived through an terrible journey through this war. I imagine there were many slaves like him in exactly the same situation. What I also loved was how we got to the civilian’s point of view of how they viewed the war. Really, the Civil War was a training exercise to strategists knowing full well that Napoleonic Tactics had long run their course, and that future wars would ultimately become a mess. Warfare had advanced too much. I liked Julia, Harim, Will and Robert and his wife. But I did want to see some additional struggles imposed upon them. Because either way, this was a fruitless waste of lives. And it was sad. It was brutal. I agreed with the author at the end, that such wars should never happen again. But what is human nature but to fight? All the world religions talk about a golden age where we lived in eternal peace. Now we’re living in an age of chaos, where you know it will all be redone again. Makes you really wonder what will happen in the future. I have no doubt that soldiers of the Civil War were experiencing this. I feel this is a great epic novel, and my rating is a solid 5/5.

[Paul Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLURB

Lexington, Kentucky, 1859. After saving John Hunt Morgan from a puma attack, fifteen-year-old farm boy Will Crump joins Hunt’s militia, the Lexington Rifles. Morgan mentors Will and enrolls him in the local university, where he hopes to study law. As tensions rise between the North and South, Will is torn between his loyalty to Morgan and his love for his family. Will’s father, sisters, and sweetheart follow the Union, while Morgan and Will commit to the South. As part of Morgan’s band, Will participates in ambushes and unconventional warfare until his first real battle at Shiloh. He fights bravely, but increasingly questions what the war is accomplishing, and whether his devotion to honor has led him astray. And where is God in all this killing?

Will’s sister Albinia, friend of the Clay family, becomes increasingly aware of the plight of the slaves. When she finds Luther, a slave she knows, trying to escape, she must decide between her conscience, and her friends. She becomes involved in the Underground Railroad, helping slaves to freedom – but will it cost her love and her freedom?

Will’s other sister, Julia, is approaching spinster status and despairs of ever meeting a man who can give her more than life on a farm until she meets Hiram Johannsen, a son of immigrants who owns a steamship company. They marry and she makes a new life in the North. When Hiram answers the call to fight for the North, Julia runs the steamboat company in her husband’s absence and uses her boats to help Albinia ferry escaped slaves to freedom. Her business relations put her in the perfect position to spy for the North. When the Confederates capture her, will she survive?

Luther is one of the first slaves Albinia helps flee the South after his master cruelly abuses his mother and sister. He escapes with his family, and when war breaks out, he fights for the North as an auxiliary of the Third Ohio Cavalry, alongside Julia’s husband, Hiram, and against Morgan and Will. Luther has to confront the demons of his past, an abusive master, and a slave catcher that kills his little sister. Will the desire for revenge destroy him?

Throughout the war, Will is forced to examine and question everything he believes in—his faith in God, his love for his family, his loyalty to Morgan, and his worth as a human being.

Will and his family must somehow mend the torn fabric of relationships to find peace, and reach Across the Great Divide.

REVIEW

An emotionally charged tale reflecting the divisive times of The Civil War. With the 'neutral' state of Kentucky as the backdrop, the author paints a vivid picture of life and issues confronting his characters. The issues involved are meticulously described - slavery, states rights, the North as invaders, the Underground Railroad - a story told from the perspective of the people who are faced with impossible decisions and see their lives ripped apart by the storm of war.  Strong characters, a steady flowing narrative, and intriguing story lines following the Crump family and associates make this a definite page turning tale.

4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Just another reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

When life throws Will in the midst of events leading up to the American Civil War, and forces him to choose a side, little does he know what he's giving himself up for. Through the lives of Will, his mentor Morgan, his sisters Albinia and Julia, Julia's husband Hiram, and a freed slave Luther, we get to witness the Civil War, and are presented with ponderings on the battles amongst goodness, conscience, ethics, commitment to cause, bravery, the price that one pays in choosing a stance, and being sensible.
Despite being a historical war fiction, the book isn't all about gore and killings. I loved how Ross had chosen to capture the human emotions that went behind the whole scene, rather than just chronicling the events. Being from a generation that has only read about the Civil War as a narrative in history books, I was impressed with how well this book portrayed the visuals so vividly. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
My sincere thanks to Amy from the HF Virtual Book Tours PR firm, and the author Michael Ross, for gifting me a copy of this book for an honest review.

[Suanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after interviewing the author on my website https://suanneschaferauthor.com/inter.... It’s historical fiction set in Kentucky and follows the early days of the Civil War. Seen through the eyes of the Crump family and set in the neutral state of Kentucky, the book provides insights into both sides of the war and how blurred the lines were between the two sides. Will is a teenager when the novel begins and his sisters (Julia and Albinia) are somewhat older. Luther, a slave that Albinia helps escape, also plays a role as he embarks on the Underground Railroad.

Overall, the writing could have been tighter. For example, though Ross handles his large cast deftly, some (such as Will’s youngest sister) play such a minor role they perhaps could have been cut. It is a “Christian” book, yet doesn’t read as preachy. The historical aspects are well-researched and the issues (states’ rights, the pros and cons of slavery, the religious aspects of slavery, abolitionists, etc) are well-documented.

[Heather Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Canadian, I have always been fascinated with the Underground Railway and have done my own research on the American Civil War. I have also read a number of fictional books set within the period of the Civil War.

Michael Ross does something in the first book of this series that is rare and captured my attention immediately. The author does not write in favour of the Confederate or the Union soldiers, unlike all of the fictional books I have read. Instead, Mr. Ross writes from the perspective of both sides while doing an admirable job of maintaining historical accuracy.

The characters will capture you, the moral and ethical struggle will challenge you. Even though we know the outcome of the war, the author was very candid in relaying the effects of the war on body, soul and spirit.

This series makes you think about a period of history that seems over represented and very biased. I really liked the first book and recommend it to anyone with an interest in this era of American History.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to see how a war can divide famiies. This is the story of the Crump family that starts just before the Civil War. Will Crump has saved the life of Captain Morgan and Captain Morgan in returns is paying for will to go to college to become a Lawyer and to drill with his riflemen. As the war breaks out you see the conflict within the family. Will stays with Captain Morgan, not so much because he believes in slavery, as he feel obligation. Wills father joins the Union Army and his sister Albinia joins the Underground network. The book follows the family thru the war and shortly after. I have always been fascinated by the Civil War in all of its facets. This book hit home because it mentions a relative in the book. My family had members also fighting on both sides

[Dianna Rostad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweeping and bravely told story of families torn apart by the Civil War. I was so invested in all of the many characters and their willingness to die for their beliefs and values. I learned so much about the war and how it moved across the states and the many motivations from all sides. Ross expertly captures this nation's most bloody and passionate war, using the stories of a few families who fought on both sides, setting the reader inside the family rifts, and the real sacrifices made by everyone in this conflict, especially capturing the parts of slaves as they helped the Union Army win out over the Confederates, and the brave and daring sacrifices made by blacks. This is a book that I savored each night and was loathe to give up when it ended. I will definitely be reading Ross's next in this EPIC series!

[Jennifer Mauchmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well researched and nuanced because of its basis in history it will read more like a series of time skips covering major historical events from the point of view of people. The one thing people may wish for more is to really sit with the characters. Something to keep in mind. Since this is the civil war. This book deals with racism and a very ugly part of our history, peoples points of view will seem foreign to how we think today particularly the confederacy. If any of those things seems like something you would not enjoy reading. I would steer clear

[Lauren Nauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a great read. Michael Ross kept to the true history of the times. I liked getting to know the characters and what they each stood for but what I really loved about this book was the romance involved between some of the characters. So good. Another aspect of the book that I loved was the fact that you always wanted to know what was going to happen in the next chapter. Needless to say, I finished this book rather quickly.

[Dan]

A sensitive portrait of Americans divided at the start of the Civil War. Blood? Yes. Escaping enslaved? Yes. Family agony? Yes.

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving portrait of a family divided by war.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Crump family live in Kentucky in the years leading up to the civil war. We follow the fortunes of its members, in particular Will, Julia and Albinia. Will finds himself under an obligation to Captain Morgan, who is pro-slavery - should he follow and support him as he feels he's pledged his word to do, or stand up for what he (or at least his family) believes is right? Julia is determined to escape life on a farm, and marries Hiram, whose family owns a steamship company. But when Hiram enlists in the Union army, Julia is left at home to try to do her part - whatever that might be. Albinia falls in love with the secretary of Mr Garrison, anti-slavery activist. When she sees the horrors of slavery first-hand, she's determined to help them escape - but it's a dangerous business: will she get through the war alive? Divided by war, will their family ever be the same again?

I wanted to like this - but the further I got, the more I just wanted it to be finished. The idea itself was intriguing: following the fortunes of a family divided by war; but I felt like the execution didn't come up to my hopes. Having said that, it's still a thought-provoking read, but it could be so much better. I think my biggest problem with the book is that it tries to cover too great a scope in too short a space, which meant that increasingly it felt like a looking at series of snapshots or video clips (and towards the end, newspaper articles) rather than being immersed in a story. The story itself has potential, but because it covers so much, it didn't feel like we really got to know any of the characters - which was a shame. I could see Julia and Hiram's story being a good novel on its own, but because it was cut down and interspersed with the doings of other family members, it felt quite distant. I also found that the writing got increasingly 'choppy' feeling, particularly in the last 20% or so - again, covering less would have allowed more depth and fewer threads to tie together. In summary, I feel that this book on its own could be turned into a good series, but as it is, it was just okay. Based on the first half, I would have rated this 3 to 3.5 stars, but the second half unfortunately knocked it down to 2.5.

Content warning: it's a novel based on war and slavery, so it's probably not surprising that there's violence and torture. It's not overly graphic or forming too large a portion of the story, but it may be more than some readers are comfortable with.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was more than what I expected. While it covers the lead up and duration of the Civil War, the psychological perspectives of all the characters is what makes this book truly interesting. There are those who see the treatment of slaves as brutal and inhumane, those who, because they are white and don’t own slaves, think it has nothing to do with them, and those who suffer the injustices of chattel slavery.
The one perspective I found so arresting was that of Will, the young man who decides to fight for the Confederacy, even though the rest of his family fights for the North. He is the one that believes that slavery has nothing to do with him, as his family does not own slaves, nor condones the practice. Before the war begins, he becomes indebted to a dynamic man, Morgan, who gives him status and opportunity, but exacts a price of loyalty. When the Civil War breaks out, Will reasons that he is only as good as his word, and follows Morgan, despite his sister working for the Underground Railroad.
Ross clearly did his homework, as the routes for the different companies, both Northern and Southern, are clearly mapped out and easy to follow.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator does an excellent job with the accents. I lived in the South for well over a decade and am sensitive to wrong accents for the region.
For those who may be concerned about religion in the book, I found that the characters turning to God made sense, was accurate to the period, and not gratuitous.
This is a great book for Civil War enthusiasts, those looking for a different take on the war, and the exploration of the psychology of white privilege.

[Anne M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This family saga so eloquently and excruciatingly captures the horror and perils of enduring a civil war that divides families as well as a nation. We experience the cruelty of slavery from the point of view of the slaves, following the lives of Luther, his mother and sisters.
The hardworking Crump family works on their farm without the exploitation of slaves. Nor do the parents take a firm anti-slavery stand. It is not their concern. Their growing children are different. Young Will saves John Morgan from a puma and finds himself the recipient of Mr. Morgan’s generous appreciation. Opportunities for education and employment follow and Will has pledged himself to this slave-holding benefactor.
Will’s sisters, Albinia and later, Julia, take an anti-slavery view and commit themselves to the cause. Even Will’s father joins the Union/Federal forces as Will follows Morgan to the Confederacy.
I do not think this is too much of a spoiler, as the characters and their experiences are so page-turning and predictable.
The religious references and biblical quotations add so much complexity to the story, as the bible is full of contradictions. It serves this complicated story well, revealing the world and challenges the characters must navigate.
I listened to this book in audible and it was very well read.
The author’s notes at the end further reveal the level of research into this truly great book. But Mr. Ross brought the history to life in the words and deeds of the characters.

[Shahid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Clouds of War by Michael L. Ross offers a gripping portrayal of loyalty, love, and sacrifice against the backdrop of the American Civil War. Set in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1859, the narrative follows fifteen-year-old farm boy Will Crump, who joins John Hunt Morgan's militia, the Lexington Rifles. As tensions between North and South escalate, Will grapples with conflicting loyalties to family and cause. His sister, Albinia, joins the Underground Railroad, while his other sister, Julia, navigates marriage and espionage in the North. Luther, a freed slave, fights alongside them, confronting his own demons of revenge and redemption. Ross weaves a poignant tale of resilience and reconciliation amid the chaos of war, compelling readers to ponder the complexities of faith, morality, and human connection.

[Linda Ulleseit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family in this story is caught up in choosing sides as the nation splits. I like that it wasn't simply a choice between slavery and anti-slavery. Will made his choice based on honor and loyalty. One of his sisters broke off a friendship as she came to realize the horror of slavery. Both of his sisters helped slaves escape, with varied results. I liked, too, that the parents loved all their children, and all were welcome in their home despite politics, or being in jail. I can hardly wait to read the continuation of Will's adventures.

[Michael Ross]

A nation divided - a family torn apart - a love threatened - a dream of freedom.
Beginning December 1, 2021, The Clouds of War will be available on NetGalley for free, for a limited time, in exchange for a review. The Clouds of War was an Amazon #1 best seller in three categories. Get your copy!

[Nora McKinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about a family during the American Civil War, their struggles, adventures, and conflicts.
I was hovering between two and three stars, but I'll give it three in acknowledgment of all the hard work the author has put into research and the fact that it had good structure and flow.

Positive things first: as already mentioned, the historical facts seem to be accurate, and it is obvious that it took a lot of work to get them right. Very good depictions of a soldier's life, with all the very real issues and troubles they faced.

The author has also put significant effort into making the characters speak according to their station and educational background, which is nice and refreshing because many writers get this wrong. He also did not meander in pointless side-paths, as some are wont to do, and the structure was well-thought-out. The story flowed without many stalling points.

The writer's grammar is also clearly above average for a self-published book (with one exception that I will mention later).

But I (emphasis on I: this is my personal feeling) can not rate this book as a piece of fiction. This, for me, is a deal-breaker. The language is distinctly un-literary. 70% of the text consists of narration in the style "He did this. He went there. They woke up. They mounted their horses and set off." It reads like a report, which to me is tiring.

I have three other points I'd like to mention:

1. The use of past perfect tense, or rather lack of it: the story is narrated in the past tense, but when something has happened before the time of the narration, often the tense remains past, giving you the impression that, for example, dead people are not dead and are still doing something at the time of the recount.

2. Repetitiveness: the repetition of words continued throughout the book and was at times extreme. Sometimes three or four sentences in a row would start with a name. "Will did this. Will did that. Will thought of something." Here are also some actual examples of what I mean:
"The sergeant pointed at Luther, and motioned him toward where the horses were tied. Luther nodded. If anyone could get the horses free without making noise, it would be him. The Union horses were used to him. They were still saddled. Luther quietly crept forward to where the horses were tethered on a line."
"Christmas was bleak, with no word from home. Just after Christmas, a huge storm hit the camp. A late Christmas present arrived from home, with new medicine, food, and dried oranges."
There is a lot of this thing going on. The author is obviously highly educated and I'm sure his vocabulary is more extended than the repetitiveness would suggest, which makes this all the more baffling.

3. Feelings: this goes together with the report-like narration. I had the distinct impression that the writer did try to bring across some of the characters' feelings. But he did it using laconic, dry sentences that didn't impart any emotion. I'm highly empathetic and often laugh, tear up, or feel overwhelmed when reading, but in this book, there was a solid wall between me and the characters.

The story was fine, and it would have made for a nice book, but I think that the author's great strength is his intellect and his penchant for creating plotlines and researching them accurately. If he paired up with a great storyteller who can infuse some feeling into their fiction, that would be a perfect match.