The Sands of Pride

by William R. Trotter

In this grandly ambitious masterpiece of Civil War fiction, noted novelist and historian William R. Trotter has created nothing less than an epic re-creation of the whole experience of the war—from secession to Gettysburg—within the microcosm of North Carolina, a theater of war never before brought to life in a major novel of the Civil War. Trotter's powerful story follows the intertwined fates of over two dozen major characters—real and fictional, Union and Confederate, combatants and civilians—swept up in the hurricane of war. In The Sands of Pride, he chronicles the exploits of bold blockade-runners like Southerner Matthew Sloane, intrepid naval warriors like Federal officer William Barker Cushings, sadistic bushwhackers like Cyrus Bone, and spies like the Confederacy's seductive Belle O'Neal. The novel's center of gravity is the beautiful coastal city of Wilmington, North Carolina, in the midst of a vibrant, bawdy "Golden Age". It was the South's most vital port and guarded by the largest, most formidable earthen fortress ever built in America, Fort Fisher, a stupendous feat of engineering and a symbol of Southern defiance. After every other significant Rebel port had been vanquished, Fort Fisher's guns kept open Wilmington's boisterous docks, which poured supplies from Europe that kept the Confederacy alive. The Sands of Pride tells a story both vast and intimate. Civil War buffs will be stunned by the stirring events depicted here. All readers will be fascinated by its colorful, passionate characters and swept along by its page-turning momentum.

Genres: Civil War, Historical Fiction, Fiction

754 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rating this historical novel even though I decided not to finish it. Extremely well written & carefully researched. From the first quarter of the book (what I read), I learned more than I'd ever been curious about concerning the how the first few years of the Civil War played out in eastern North Carolina.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sprawling, epic novel, THE SANDS OF PRIDE details the lives and exploits of several dozen characters--both Rebel and Yankee--during the conflict in North Carolina between 1861 and 1863. Many of the main characters are actual historical figures, rendered both realistically and dramatically, with as much care as any of Trotter's (many) fictitious characters. The author's treatment of historical fact is colorful and exciting, and even the passages that are obviously speculative read as authentically as those which are factually documented. Trotter draws upon the vast well of knowledge he has gained over many years of research (first evidenced in his CIVIL WAR IN NORTH CAROLINA trilogy--easily the most extensive and best-documented nonfiction work ever published on the subject) and infuses as many details as possible into the novel--usually seamlessly and in appropriate measure to the context of the narrative; there's no squealing of brakes so the author can go off on a binge of self-indulgent detailing of his expertise.

There's more to come, for a sequel is in the works, which will (hopefully) wrap up the threads left open in SANDS, and take us to the end of the war. I can give this book no higher recommendation, and I also suggest checking out Trotter's WWII novel, WINTER FIRE, which is as gripping in its context as SANDS is in its.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very focused historical fiction looking at the role of North Carolina in 1861-1863. Good mix of historic and fictional characters. My main problem with this book was the COMPLETE lack of editing. I love a good description, but when he spends over half a page describing waves in a storm, it gets to be a little much. This goes on over the course of the whole book. So while the book is 754 pages, it could easily be only 450 pages. Book 1 of 2, and I'm still undecided whether I will read book 2 or not.

[Brian Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much along the lines of a Shaara book, views the Civil War from many events on the Eastern Area of NC, where I (currently) live. Since I have always been a Virginia apologist, I have mainly read about the action in Virginia, with good reason, as much of the war WAS conducted there, but this book has shown how much of what happened in VA was influenced by many of the events that occurred right here in eastern NC. Interesting.

[Travis Washburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is from Greensboro. I re-read after my son and I went on his third grade field trip to Fort Fisher.

I think it is right up there with Gone with the Wind but perhaps a bit more interesting for guys.

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it exsplains why I injoy Novels rather than True History. Facts may be Facts but they really need to be connected by the mundane assumptions of every mans life. Slight problem with the bigotry against Virginians.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderfully written great story by an excellent story teller

[Juan Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It provided an insight to history although fictional that provided some of the political issues affecting shortages and strategies of the men in the trenches. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a long one, I'm gonna have to keep up the pace! Excellent book though so far.