Chancellorsville

The Civil War Battle Series #4

by James Reasoner

The narrative of  Chancellorsville  begins in Mississippi and the situation on the western front. Before reaching Vicksburg, Cory Brannon stumbles into a campsite where all is not well and briefly encounters a cautious Confederate patrol. A veteran of the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson and Shiloh, but not a soldier in the Confederate army, h continues to search for Lucille Farrell, the daughter of his late employer. When he finds her, he also discovers that he may have a role to play in supplying the South with the food, weapons, and ammunition being brought in through Texas by blockade-runners. The path, however, is strewn with renegades and outlaws, and on the horizon there may be a rival for Lucille’s affections. Meanwhile, Cory’s brothers, Will and Mac, enjoy a brief visit with the family members still in Culpeper. Will is greatly relieved that his mother, Abigail, who had banished him from the farm in the weeks before the war, now welcomes him with open arms. Brother Titus’s marriage to Polly Ebersole comes as a surprise to the two brothers in gray, but their presence stirs a sense of obligation and duty in the hotheaded Titus. Shortly after the two return to their units—Will to the Shenandoah with Jackson and Mac with Stuart near Richmond—the Confederate cause claims another Brannon, this one a gifted rifleman. In December 1862 a new Union commander launches another campaign to claim the Southern capital, and Ambrose Burnside brings the Federal army to Fredericksburg. With him marches the conscience-driven Nathan Hatcher. When the battle breaks loose, Will and Mac are on the right side of the Confederate line, and Titus is on the left. After the terrible bloodletting of the Federal defeat, news comes that Titus has been lost. The brothers carry the information back to Culpeper, where the aloof Polly surprisingly grieves over the loss of Titus, her husband. She reaches out to the Brannon family and finds a comforting response from the people she has tried to keep at arm’s length. In early 1863 a fitful calm pervades the Virginia front until yet another Union commander is named. Joe Hooker leads his army into the wooded wilderness of the Rappahannock again and confidently stakes his fortunes to an encounter with Robert E. Lee near the roadside inn at Chancellorsville. As the battle rushes toward them, Will and Mac witness the boldest move a field commander can make and the greatest loss the Confederacy can struggle to bear. Chancellorsville  is the fourth book in a series of historical novels spanning the Civil War.

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

408 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

SOME SPOILERS

This one broke the camel's back. I enjoyed the first three alright, I am a huge civil war buff, but the failings of the series got to be too much. I know that ninety percent of civil war fiction is from the southern point of view, but this became extreme! Every single northerner is awful. no redeeming qualities at all. Plus we finally get a loyal southerner on the form of the erstwhile bookish and ridiculed Nathan, a character that I thought gave the series greatness (for including such a truly brave character). He was principled and stood up for what he believed in despite almost certain reprisal. So what happens to him? Every union soldier on his side treats him like garbage, even trying to murder him! Then he gets held up by a southern officer for his uniform and is "captured" by his own side who won't believe he's a union soldier. What an opportunity wasted.

I listened to Vicksburg after this book out of inertia, but no more.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of the Brannon family, with the exception of Titus' story line which was hard. However, the historical context of the series had a strong undertone of lost cause mythology.

I stumbled across this series when I learned my second great-grandfather was wounded fighting for the Union at Chickamauga. I enjoy learning history through stories (ala James Mitchener) so I checked out Reasoner's book about that battle, not realizing it was book seven in a 10-book series. Having been hooked by the story of the greater Brannon family, of course I had to read the entire series.

The story element of the series is top notch. The battle details are hard but necessary. And we also get to know Confederate leadership better. However, the causes of the war Reasoner suggests are pure Lost Cause mythology, as are portrayals of General U.S. Grant and all Yankees. The few Northern sympathizers are portrayed as evil, naive or misguided.

But the greatest Lost Cause error is the treatment of prisoners. Yes, Camp Douglas was bad and prisoner treatment was shameful. By all measures, Andersonville was worse. The death rates of both camps prove that. Overall POW death rates for Union POW's was 15.5% vs. 12% for Confederates. No doubt the gap would be wider if: 1) Union soldiers were in as poor condition as Confederates when taken; and 2) surrendering African-American Union soldiers murdered by Confederates were counted among the dead POW's.

While ignoring such evils, Reasoner is willing at least to portray some Southerners as flawed (though there's no hint that Nathan Bedford Forrest was once a slave trader and would go on to lead the Klu Klux Klan).

That said, I wish I could read more about the post-war greater Brannon family.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I am experiencing the Civil War through these characters. It did seem odd to drop Cory's story so early in the book. I was a little disappointed in Nathan's character. I was looking forward to seeing an honest view from the Union side. I can only assume this character will serve another purpose later in the series.

I am still amazed at reviewers who get upset with books in this series because they thought it would be a factual account, not fiction. Did they not read the cover where it states that it is "A Novel"?

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this is a historical fiction but I loved some of the accurate facts at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. These were two of the last major victories of the Confederates. I am enjoying the Brennon family, and their was a nice mix between the four brothers who are battling in the Civil War.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite so far of the series. There was involvement of all the brothers and left questions regarding Titus and Cory.
One of the reasons this one was special was because my great grandfather was injured at Chancellorsville and his brother was killed. So I have an emotional investment with this battle—and Stonewall Jackson.

[Levi Borba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book frim Reasoner, although not as good as Shiloh. I am subtracting one star due to the (again) excessively quick pace of the romantic relationships - now with Titus.
The battle descriptions are, as always, flawless.

[T.S. Folke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasoner celebrate southern simplicity and avoid the evils that drive Confederate logic. Too bad...

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much action, family drama, and suspense in this 4th book of the series. The reader, Lloyd James, does a fantastic job with all the characters, both real & fictional.

[Christopher Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one really endeared me to the Brennan family. The death of Stonewall Jackson and even the brothers being there in the thick of the action and details that only historical fiction can bring out.

[MARY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good book in the series of ten books. In book 4 we see the Brannon brothers fighting at Chancellorsville which was a victory for the Confederates but it cost them dearly as they lost one of their best generals in Stonewall Jackson. To make matters worse he was killed by his own men. It was the beginning of the end for the Confederacy though it would take many more battles and two more years.

[Linda Munro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth in a series of ten books. This book looks into the life of the imaginary Southern Brennon family, and the rolls of the Brennon men in the Confederate army. This series gives a great look at the Civil War, had occurred, what could have or should have happened and all from a southern point of view. For those readers who enjoy historical novels; this is an essential series. For those readers interested in the Civil War, it is also an essential series. Always remember, far too often history is written by the victors, to get a true look at the entire picture it is necessary to know both sides of the story.

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am still listening at about the half way point of this clunker, but once I finish penning this will move on to something (almost anything) else. Characters and their dialog seem very wooden. Perhaps day-to-day Civil War life was like this - but I detected an awful lot of 20th century thinking in penning. And I just experienced this jarring transition from Louisiana to Virginia that makes me wonder at the author's motivation. I don't think I'll be back to this series without serious coaxing.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the prior 3 books, this one was good. Focusing on multiple members of the family - however it seemed like Reasoner cut away too long from Cory's story. It picks up again in the 5th book right away however.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment of the Civil War series has been most enjoyable. New characters have been introduced of which the subtly intelligent Pie Jones was my favorite. All family members were included in significant parts of the book.

[William Pontarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good start to learn more about the battle and Civil War. Enough detail to create drama and respect for the courage of the combatants.

[RS Fuster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another good story in this series.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

another excellent edition in this Civil War series.