Appomattox

The Civil War Battle Series #10

by James Reasoner

As the ten-volume saga concludes, the multiple strands of the story are woven toward their resolution. As the war careens toward its inevitable end, members of the Brannon family are involved in every theater of the war and spread across the South. For a time, Mac and Titus Fight in the Shenandoah Valley with Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry and Mosby's Rangers. In the Carolinas Cory fights against William T. Sherman, and in Alabama Henry rides with Nathan Bedford Forrest. In Culpeper, the Brannon family farm lies behind Union lines. Despite her mother's admonitions, Cordelia remains intrigued by the attentions of a Yankee officer, whose only failing is the belief lie cannot let the war end without experiencing combat. Nathan Hatcher, now a so-called Galvanized Yankee, wears Union blue in the Dakota Territory. There he fights to survive both rugged winter weather and the fierce tribes who seek to repel the invaders from The region. With the coming of spring in 1865, the war reaches its climax in Virginia, North Carolina, and Alabama. Mac is not far from the McLean house when Robert E . Lee meets with U. S. Grant. Cory is at hand, too, when Joseph E. Johnston parleys with Sherman. Titus, however, finds himself enmeshed in a complicated scheme regarding one of the darkest plots of the war. Finally, among the war's last victims is the Brannon farm itself. As carpetbaggers move into the South, this prime real estate is too good to leave in the hands of staunch Confederates. The Brannons must either fight or flee, and they have only so much fight left in them. The unsettled West holds more promise than the scarred and wrecked land of northern Virginia. Cory already has one foot in Texas, and the others are not far behind. Before departing, however, a mother must visit the grave of her firstborn at the lonely crossroads of Cold Harbor.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Civil War, American Civil War, Historical

375 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2003

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some weird right-book-at-right-time mojo must have been working in order for me to listen to and *enjoy* a 10 book series based on the battles of the Civil War.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished the series today. Lots more battles, skirmishes, and raids in this one as the Brannon brothers & the warring armies bring the American Civil War to a close. I liked the way Reasoner tied up all the loose ends & I especially liked the specific lack of redemption for a difficult character’s journey, but with a glimmer of hope in the novel’s final words.

[Lloyd Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells the story of a family and how it was impacted by the Civil War and events during that time

[Natalia's Daddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished the whole series and want to thank James Reasoner for the amazing ride. Thank you sir.

[Mary Ellen Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had a few surprises. Titus was the most interesting character of the series it turn out though I wish the author had continued with another series on the Brannon’s adventures in the west.

[Mary Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the first 9 books. The one in the series was a repeat of what was written . Made me feel like the author was tried of writing this series. The conclusion of the characters eas lacking.

[Brian Guthrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed a better ending.

[Tracy Barrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the whole series and as much as I enjoyed it there were some egregious anti-historical content that was upsetting. Not just stretching the truth. Not just softening the truth. Rather completely contrary to truth. It bothers me greatly that there are people who will accept the content as truth. And ethical publisher would have required some editing.

[Mary]

Well I finished a ten volume set on the civil war. I am so glad I read it overall it was a very good series following the Brannon family thru the civil war. I was a bit disappointed at the ending but will not put any spoilers out.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this series as a gift from a friend. There are ten books which chronicle the civil war from the perspective of the confederacy. The Brannon family own a small farmstead in Virginia. They are not slave owners and live a simple life. The five brothers become part of the most decisive battles of the war. Each of them enters the conflict for a different reason but with the same goal, to drive the invading northern armies out of the south. The series was well written and covers all the major battles and gives a picture of the great generals in the conflict. The only down side was that the narrator was TERRIBLE! If you are thinking of committing to this series (and it is a long commitment) read it for yourself and don't get the audiobook.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never thought I'd finally reach the end of a ten book series, but most like things when I commit to something, I see it through. The collection did drag on quite a bit, but then so did the War. It was a nice departure of my usual read - nonfiction. But I suppose the enormous amount of Civil War facts thrown it made it a bit more palatable.

This book was good like the rest, and wrapped most things up with the Brannons at the end quite nicely.

The one thing that really bothered me in just about every book is how when many individuals were shot, they were thrown back. This does not happen. I guess Mr. Reasoner hasn't seen Mythbusters :) Anyway, kudos to a good book and series.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The war ends and so does the series. James Reasoner has made my commute over the last several months much more enjoyable as I listened to the Blackstone audios of his Civil War series. Being a VA girl I loved hearing all the local references, especially when Titus joined Mosby's rangers right here in Loudoun & Fauquier counties. I didn't anticipate how he was going to end the war for the Brennan's and I enjoyed how he did it. Very enjoyable series!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sorry to see the series end. I really enjoyed this series. I became very attached to the Brannons and all their travails during the war. Good ending Mr. Reasoner!

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a worthwhile series to read. I highly recommend it to all.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped for a more dramatic conclusion but instead got a sobering one. Amazing to me how this series kept my interest for 10 volumes.

[Matt Guzowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much comic book talk about the fighting. He has continued some inaccurate stories about the war. It is way too heavy on the side of the confederacy and the evils of the union.