Northern Dawn

Northern Wolf #4

by Daniel Greene

War takes guts and luck to survive ... but will it be enough? Wolf's been promoted. He's helped bring down one of the South's greatest generals. Yet his country still has more to ask of him, and the costliest war in America's history rages on. Sheridan's cavalry raids west to destroy Confederate infrastructure and divert attention from Grant's movement south of the killing fields of Cold Harbor. Yet Wade Hampton and his rebel forces have something else in store for the Union Cavalry Corps. Wolf quickly finds himself in the hot seat of the largest all-cavalry battle of the war near Trevilian Station. Isolated and surrounded, can they survive the coming Southern storm? Or will they be overrun and annihilated, a mere footnote in history? Continue the thrilling military historical fiction series that's perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Michael and Jeff Shaara, Matthew Harffy, Steven Pressfield, and Simon Scarrow.

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

1 pages, Audio CD

First published September 14, 2020

About the author

Daniel is the award-winning author of The End Time Saga and the historical fiction Northern Wolf Series. Whether it’s a saber charge in the American Civil War or a gun battle between two rival bands surviving a hellish landscape, he is known for his ability to embed every page with fast-paced action, thrilling suspense, and gritty realism.

He is an avid traveler and physical fitness enthusiast with a deep passion for history. The works of George R.R. Martin, Steven Pressfield, Bernard Cornwell, Robert Jordan, and George Romero, have inspired his work. Although he is a Midwesterner for life, he's lived in Virginia long enough to consider it home.

He is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, and the Military Writers Society of America.

Contact him on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DanielGreene...

Or his website: http://www.danielgreenebooks.com/

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven]

This is the book Northern Wolf fans have been waiting for! Once you crack the cover, you can't put it down. Incredible historical accuracy. I have just finished reading Bloody Roads South and this book seems taken from the pages of that history book. The reader will be hard-pressed to think the 13th Michigan wasn't there in these amazing battles.

Northern Dawn rewards the reader who has gone through the trials and tribulations of Wolf. Finally, the character and bravery of this man are recognized. The pacing is perfect. The action scenes are tense. You are on the edge of your seat over and over. One of the most intense calvary fights is given great detail here.

Simply a brilliant book that will make my annual re-read list. Fantastic from start to finish. A book that raises what was a great Civil War fiction series to the level of incredible literature. Recommended to every reader of the Northern Wolf series. Recommended to every reader of military fiction. A truly magnificent book.

My Rating: 5+ stars

Reviewed by: Mr. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Brady Bunnell]

Powerful, crazy good!

The Powerful Daniel Greene does it again in this 5th entry into the Civil War genre. I had to read it as soon as I got it, and I couldn’t put it down. The story is interwoven into history so well, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much research was done. I found myself at the end of every chapter and had to read the next, it’s that good!  It is simply an amazing and fun, gritty read! I’m not a civil war enthusiast, but since the first novel, I’ve been looking forward each and every entry. I CANNOT wait for the final entry into the series!

[Mary Yarde]

“…in this war, Death played the fiddle and armies danced to his tune.”

Lieutenant Johannes Wolf had conned his way into the 13th Michigan Calvary, but that seemed like a lifetime ago now. The war had changed him. It had changed them all.

Wolf has risen from the ranks—he is always “one shot away from a promotion”. He has escaped the horrors of Libby Prison and has seen things he wishes he could unsee and done things he wishes could be undone. But the war was not over for him, yet. Now he must face a fight not only for his life, but for the lives of those in his regiment, his general, and the future of his country…

Daniel Greene has again demonstrated why I am so committed to the story that he has to tell. Northern Dawn (Northern Wolf Series, Book 4) was everything I was expecting and then a bit more.

The most salient element of the narrative, especially in this story’s case, is courage. Not only does Greene define the very nature of the word, but through his characters we witness how courage goes hand-in-hand with the utmost desire to stay alive. If courage falters, all is lost, and everything that both sides have fought for would have been for naught, which was why the armies of both sides of the conflict needed generals such as Custer and Hampton.

Greene’s depiction of Union Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer has fascinated me from the beginning of this series. The war had turned the boy general into a man, but still a somewhat reckless one. He willingly exposes himself to danger in this novel by staying mounted upon his horse, so that his men could see that he was not afraid. I could not decide if I admired him for his courage or for his pig-headed determination to have his own way, despite the dangers and despite Alger pointing out that “You cannot inspire men from the grave.” But while men fell around him, and horses died underneath him, Custer somehow survived. There is a morbid sense of invulnerability about him, as there was with the historical man. Was he reckless with his men’s lives? Greene argues in this story, no, but there is a sense of admiration for the man and despite his faults, he inspired his troops and they would willingly ride through Hell knowing that he would ride alongside them. I thought Greene’s depiction of Custer was sublime.

Greene also explores the relationship between courage and reputation. Reputations were built and destroyed upon the battlefield. The respect of their peers, and indeed the enemy, is at the forefront of many an officer’s mind. This respect, I guess one might call it rivalry, is played out beautifully between Custer and his best friend from West Point, Thomas Rosser. Despite being on opposing sides, the two are torn between wanting their regiments to meet and not wanting them to meet. They have no desire to kill each other, but they both would like the opportunity to boast, especially on Rosser’s part, that one had bested the other.

When it comes to the courage of the soldiers, their most desperate desire is to stay alive. But Greene shows how many were conflicted—they wanted to stay alive, but at same time they did not want to kill. Likewise, through characters such as Wolf and Wilhelm, we witness how seasoned soldiers deal with the horrific injuries and deaths of their comrades-in-arms—it does not get any easier losing friends. This novel also depicts a deplorable act of revenge, and although Greene has fictionalised the way one of Hampton’s sons dies, he does remind the reader that an eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind.

Greene’s depiction of the terrain, the weather, the life of both Union and Confederate soldiers, and of the almost unbearable toll on both man and beast in each regiment, is drawn with an intuitive understanding of this era. If a horse went lame they immediately shot it rather than allow it to rest, which shows the desperation of the situation. Neither army could afford to slow down. This callous attitude to life, be that towards man or beast, demonstrates the horrors, but more importantly, the realities of warfare during this period. The soldiers bravely engage the enemy, knowing that here, in this place, at this time they could die, meaning that Yankee Doodle becomes not only the soundtrack that the soldiers march to when they are ordered to advance, but it also becomes the requiem for the dying and the dead.

I thought the depiction of The Battle of Trevilian Station was masterfully portrayed. The fear, the hope, and the desperate desire for more coffee, really illustrated the true horror of fighting a war on all fronts. There is an edge of almost hysterical fear that is kept in check by the officers and acts of bravery on both sides. But Greene has also given his readers the opportunity to experience the battle at a more personal level. Having read the other books in the series, Wolf is a character that I have really come to care about, and thus to see his determination, his resolve to serve, not just his country, but his friends, means that he is a protagonist that a reader cannot help but connect with, and it is because of this connection that we can experience what it must have been like to charge headlong into the enemy camp, while praying that your luck would hold and your horse would not be shot out from under you. Greene has rendered this battle, and the lives of the officers and soldiers, as authentically as possible. I could feel the terror of both the cavalry and their horses, I fancied I could smell the blood and hear the cries for help. This novel is hauntingly beautiful because of its realism.

What I like about this series is that you are privy to both sides of the war, and although the majority of this novel is spent with the Union Army, Greene has also explored what life was like in the Confederate Army as well. The skill of the generals, the sacrifice of the men, and the gratuitous loss of life becomes almost intolerable, especially for men such as Hampton. And although Greene has used a little creative licence in the depiction of the death of Hampton’s son, he does not gloss over the devastating impact of his death on his father. As in John Jakes' North and South series, Greene allows his readers to sympathise with the consequences of the war, and the sacrifices made, as well as reminding the readers, through characters such as Eliza, what they were fighting for to begin with. But this war was not just about emancipation, it was about keeping together a union, a nation, a people.

To get the most out of this series, you really need to start with Book 1, Northern Wolf. This series maps the progress of the American Civil War in a way that I have not come across before. This series is, quite simply brilliant.

Northern Dawn (Northern Wolf Series, Book 4) by Daniel Greene is an utterly enthralling book which, along with the rest of the books in this series, is deserving of a place on your bookcase.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Jim Owens]

I jumped at this book as soon as it was available. Thinking I knew was I was getting from a Daniel Greene book I settled in for an awesome action novel, but got so much more than I expected. The depth of the characters woven within the greater historical context simply amazed me. I couldn't put it down as each chapter's end demands you continue to the next to find out what happens. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Lisa Omstead]

This story is a powerful combination of fictionalized history and real events that unquestionably hits home. The fear, suffering and despair of the soldiers is palpable. The author doesn’t pull any punches, which lends great authenticity to the story. Lieutenant Wolf of the Michigan Brigade is my personal favorite and he has grown immensely since the first book in the series. Masterfully written. Well researched. Highly recommended!

[Mark Anderson]

This is an absolute tremendous series! Its been a while since I dove headfirst into some books I literally couldn't put down. These books contain what I consider to be fully developed characters both the fictional and the historical. This Book #4 provides a huge amount of "Custer" information , that I have never before read about or knew. "Custer's Luck" apparently was a very real thing! One of my favorite parts of Northern Dawn as in the previous 3 books is the summary and extras at the end, where Daniel Greene talks about the fictional parts in the book and how he made little changes here and there to better tell the story. It was surprising how few changes and add ins there were in the book. I am gonna be chomping at the bit waiting on the Book #5. I want to share a personal side note. I have been working on my family history for the last couple of years with the help of ANCESTRY.com and some other sources and have discovered in my family line there are no less than 2 individuals named "Wade Hampton Anderson." I am still researching but it appears that one served in Company K of the 37th Texas Cavalry, Confederate States of America as a 17 year old when the war began. He made it through to the end of the war and died in 1873 at the age of 29. Not sure of the cause. But I digress. I recommend this book and the previous 3 to any Civil War history buffs. Good stuff!

[Tim Armstrong]

A bit weaker than the previous entries into the Northern Wolf series. I felt there wasn't an overall mission for Johannes Wolf and his company this time. It was a fine story but it never elevated above that and just didn't hold my attention as much as the previous stories.

I do look forward to seeing how the Wolf saga ends.

[Richard Ahlstrom]

Another great book by a great author!

Daniel ,Greene has done it again. His writing style puts you in the saddle with the Michigan Brigade at the battle of Trevilian Station. The action seems to swirl around you and it is definitely a book you can't put down.

[Brenda J. Crowder]

Solid series

Many of the series about war it caught in details of battle. Too much fog of war. One battle. Promotion for Wolfe. Could shorten series not affect story. Still looking forward to next book.

[Bill]

Federal forces work to 'out position' the Confederates and cut vital rail lines from the south to strangle Lee's army. Confederate forces try to occasionally bloody the Federals and maintain a stalemate until the US presidential election. Excellent, excellent!!

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin]

A worthwhile read

It however seemed to drag on a bit. The Civil was was extremely bloody and deadly, due partly the attacking in line formation, the canister cannon balls and medical decisions of amputations, that technology later to rebuild limbs and appendages.

[Russell Wardle]

This book was brilliantly filled with lots of action. The characters are so engaging. It's also full of lots of different emotions full of the euphoria of war to the loss of loved ones amazing can't wait for the last book in the series

[Kathy Brickert]

Exciting

Although the brutality of war is overwhelming, the thoughts of the men involved are encouraging. So sad that both sides felt they were in the right. Good read, thought provoking!

[Rich Costanzo]

Very exciting

Following Wolf through this series of books has been exciting and brings a lot of reality’s to how things were during the Civil War. Can’t wait for book 5

[James DeRousse]

Entertaining

Learned new facts about the war. Sand enjoyed the story a lot. Showed the idiocy of a civil war was.

[Damien]

So glad I found this series! Another exciting portion of the story of Johannes Wolf. Possibly best of the series.

[Judy Loos]

Great series segment

Excellent read. Need to read the series to completely appreciate this book. I can't wait to read the next book of this series.

[Darek Zawisko]

4.5 stars

[Joshua Birdsong]

Fantastic book series I highly recommend it.