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Solomon Ramsdell: A Novel of the Civil War Era
He survived Andersonville . . . and then his trials really began. Solomon Ramsdell brought the love of his life to his new farm in pioneer Michigan, then the Civil War threatened all they were building together. He heeded the call to the Union army, was captured and imprisoned, then returned to Jennette to find his life forever changed. This heartfelt novel explores the real people hinted at in the historical record. Though Solomon's story is partially told in the companion novel ROSETTE, this volume reveals what he must have suffered and what might have been his rescue. "Touching without being sentimental, SOLOMON RAMSDELL is a journey through trauma and grief that finds a happy ending not far from where it started."
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 18, 2021
I received an electronic copy of this novel from the author, for which I am very grateful. However, I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Ms. Marsch writes a compelling, deeply drawn tale that grabs you early on and doesn't let go. This is the third historical novel in the Ramsdell Family series she has written featuring members of the Ramsdell family, and all are exceptional. Solomon Ramsdell is however a completely stand-alone novel.
Solomon is the brother of Rosette, the protagonist in Marsch's first novel of the same name, so for us multiple story readers, Solomon is not a stranger but featured just enough in the Rosette novel to draw you quickly into his story. For you who are new to the Ramsdell Family, his is an exciting story which is told very well, of pioneer life in Michigan, Solomon's action in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry of the Union Army in the Civil War, his time in a rebel Belle Isle prisoner-of-war camp, and his return home at war's end to his wife and three young children, a broken man. We are with him through his recovery and the process of mapping out the remainder of his life.
Ms. Marsch includes in this work several websites with extensive information about pioneering and 19th century farming in the northern US if you desire additional details, including the journals of Rosette which sparked the author's desire to write these excellent stories, sharing with us the detailed experiences of her forebearers. Most of us have generations of family who broke ground back in the day, true pioneers following the frontier, but the details of their very different, much more limited, and very difficult lives have not been carried down to our generation.
Thank you, Cindy Rinaman Marsch, for sharing with us these detailed, important steps taken by those brave souls to extend and tame our world. I have a much greater appreciation for the trials and tribulations of my grands and greats since my introduction to Rosette and Solomon.
Pub date March 6, 2021
Reviewed on March 17, 2021, at Goodreads and AmazonSmile. Not available for review on B&N, BokBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay.
Solomon is the brother of Rosette, the protagonist in Marsch's first novel of the same name, so for us multiple story readers, Solomon is not a stranger but featured just enough in the Rosette novel to draw you quickly into his story. For you who are new to the Ramsdell Family, his is an exciting story which is told very well, of pioneer life in Michigan, Solomon's action in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry of the Union Army in the Civil War, his time in a rebel Belle Isle prisoner-of-war camp, and his return home at war's end to his wife and three young children, a broken man. We are with him through his recovery and the process of mapping out the remainder of his life.
Ms. Marsch includes in this work several websites with extensive information about pioneering and 19th century farming in the northern US if you desire additional details, including the journals of Rosette which sparked the author's desire to write these excellent stories, sharing with us the detailed experiences of her forebearers. Most of us have generations of family who broke ground back in the day, true pioneers following the frontier, but the details of their very different, much more limited, and very difficult lives have not been carried down to our generation.
Thank you, Cindy Rinaman Marsch, for sharing with us these detailed, important steps taken by those brave souls to extend and tame our world. I have a much greater appreciation for the trials and tribulations of my grands and greats since my introduction to Rosette and Solomon.
Pub date March 6, 2021
Reviewed on March 17, 2021, at Goodreads and AmazonSmile. Not available for review on B&N, BokBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay.
April 4, 2021
A wonderful submersion into historical life
Well written and brought back into life, "Solomon Ramsdell:A Novel of the Civil War..." gives us an inside glimpse of pioneering life in Michigan. Marsch breathed fresh air into Solomon's story giving it life, and allowing us access to the trials and successes he faced as a pioneer and as a civil war veteran. A great read that was hard to put down.
Well written and brought back into life, "Solomon Ramsdell:A Novel of the Civil War..." gives us an inside glimpse of pioneering life in Michigan. Marsch breathed fresh air into Solomon's story giving it life, and allowing us access to the trials and successes he faced as a pioneer and as a civil war veteran. A great read that was hard to put down.
June 9, 2021
This is just a well written lovely book! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books based on real history, prairie settler and civil-war era stories. Her rendering of the Andersonville prisoner of war camp experience with Solomon was tough to read but so good and was timely for me as I have briefly tried to research a relative who died of disease in the same war. Will look forward to this author’s next project.
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April 7, 2021My own book--please enjoy!
April 30, 2021
This Civil War-era novel offers a tender, compassionate consideration of the physical and emotional wounds suffered by those who have borne the battle. But more importantly, this novel shows how love and patience can help bind those wounds, and restore a degree of health even to those most deeply injured.
This message is important for every family, military or civilian, because most of today's 'walking wounded' have never seen a battlefield. The vicissitudes of life can wound every bit as deeply as the weapons of war, and every family must know, as Solomon Ramsdell's family knew, that with love and patience there is always hope for healing.
This message is important for every family, military or civilian, because most of today's 'walking wounded' have never seen a battlefield. The vicissitudes of life can wound every bit as deeply as the weapons of war, and every family must know, as Solomon Ramsdell's family knew, that with love and patience there is always hope for healing.
April 8, 2025
Solomon Ramsdell was a touching, easy to read, yet heart warming book to read that covered an important aspect of what happens to a family when they are touched by war. Thrilling from cover to back, Cindy dealt confidently with all historical aspects of the story, giving a unique and colorful look into a family during the Civil War period.
Such a wonderful read. The story will delight all who read it.
Such a wonderful read. The story will delight all who read it.
November 7, 2025
This book completely drew me in. Cindy Rinaman Marsch brings the Civil War era to life with such vivid detail and emotional depth that I felt like I was walking beside Solomon through every trial. His perseverance, his love for Jennette, and his struggle to rebuild after Andersonville were heartbreaking and inspiring. A beautiful story about loss, faith, and redemption.
August 2, 2021
Great book
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews