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To Stand on Solid Ground: A Civil War Novel Based on Real People and Events
2021 Distinguished Favorite— Independent Press Award
“. . . thought provoking, educational, enthralling, haunting, deserving of a second read, and worthy of praise and recognition.”
The 2020 Award of Excellence
–North Carolina Society of Historians
Based on real people and real events, To Stand on Solid Ground brings to life an unusual relationship between Confederate loyalists and Union sympathizers. To Stand on Solid Ground does more than merely report historical events; it transports the reader back in time to face the profound need to support each other in a time of intense polarity. It offers insight, lessons and hope fitting to modern-day political divisions.
North Carolina secedes from the United States of America the same day Transylvania County is formed. It is the same day Robert Hamilton is appointed as its first sheriff. Many in the community share Robert’s opposition to slavery and his public plea to avoid secession. Yet, not all. Most family and friends suffer intensified divisions when they face the unavoidable call by the newly formed Confederate government to fight for, and support, the Confederacy. Robert must find a way to uphold his oath as sheriff and be true to his conscience, even if it means bending the rules. Yet, he cannot do this alone. Calling on a few close friends and family, Robert hopes to avoid discovery, but there is a problem. Elizabeth Neill, the daughter of his deputy, pursues her interest in a Confederate soldier and harbors a growing suspicion that the sheriff and his family have secrets. At the same time, her friendship with Pink, a young slave, challenges her naïve perspective on slavery. As the war rages, the newly-formed county must decide how to confront hunger and ruthless bushwhackers, neither of which honor Union nor Confederate loyalty.
“. . . thought provoking, educational, enthralling, haunting, deserving of a second read, and worthy of praise and recognition.”
The 2020 Award of Excellence
–North Carolina Society of Historians
Based on real people and real events, To Stand on Solid Ground brings to life an unusual relationship between Confederate loyalists and Union sympathizers. To Stand on Solid Ground does more than merely report historical events; it transports the reader back in time to face the profound need to support each other in a time of intense polarity. It offers insight, lessons and hope fitting to modern-day political divisions.
North Carolina secedes from the United States of America the same day Transylvania County is formed. It is the same day Robert Hamilton is appointed as its first sheriff. Many in the community share Robert’s opposition to slavery and his public plea to avoid secession. Yet, not all. Most family and friends suffer intensified divisions when they face the unavoidable call by the newly formed Confederate government to fight for, and support, the Confederacy. Robert must find a way to uphold his oath as sheriff and be true to his conscience, even if it means bending the rules. Yet, he cannot do this alone. Calling on a few close friends and family, Robert hopes to avoid discovery, but there is a problem. Elizabeth Neill, the daughter of his deputy, pursues her interest in a Confederate soldier and harbors a growing suspicion that the sheriff and his family have secrets. At the same time, her friendship with Pink, a young slave, challenges her naïve perspective on slavery. As the war rages, the newly-formed county must decide how to confront hunger and ruthless bushwhackers, neither of which honor Union nor Confederate loyalty.
515 pages, Paperback
Published July 4, 2020
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 5, 2020
I loved how quick this book was to read. 500 pages felt like nothing. It’s intriguing story based on true events related so well to the turmoil happening in our country today. You won’t regret reading this book!
March 7, 2023
We live in Transylvania County. Great story about this area during the Civil War.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews