The American Civil War discussion

Hey, I hope it is okay, but I wanted to tell everyone about my historical fiction called, The Life He Never Knew. It is about a young Texas soldier, Thomas, going off to war in Tennessee. Along the way he meets a very beautiful Southern Belle and their conversation quickly turns to the war, slavery, secession, and even his own death. He also learns of his brother's death at Wilson's Creek months before.

Eventually, Thomas and the Texas regiment join up with Johnston's army and they take part in the Battle of Shiloh, witnessing the early morning struggle, the fight in the Peach Orchard, the Hornet's Nest, and the Union victory on the second day.

This is my first novel, but I have had pretty good feedback so far. My regular job is being a high school/college history teacher, and my hobby is Civil War reenacting. Well, just thought I would share. Thanks.

Sounds interesting. What formats is the book in? Hardback, Paperback, ebook?

Links are good as well. I found this one, and you have PDF format, html ebook and Printed book. I like this page:

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/stor...

Thanks for sharing

Sorry, its in paperback and ebook. If you visit my website, www.ryan-petty.com , it will take you to other sites that have the book, including whiskey creek press, B&N, and Amazon. Thanks.

ryan

Hi Ryan. I've written a Civil War novel as well. It's called A Fine Likeness and it's set in Missouri during Price's 1864 invasion. I've done some nonfiction work on that topic too. The novel has some paranormal elements, at least the characters think there are. . .

Sean,

Thats cool. I'll have to check it out. Sounds like something I would enjoy reading. Good luck with its promotion. If I do end up reading it, I'll be happy to do a review for it on here.

I'd love to hear your opinion. There aren't enough books on the Trans-Mississippi Theater, fiction or nonfiction! I'm going to ask the moderator over at the American Civil War group if I can start a Trans-Miss thread.

I joined the American Civil War group today and have an interest in the Western Theater of War. See my post in the Trans-Miss thread.

For those interested in Civil War fiction, ATTM PRESS just published my novel (THE SHARPSHOOTER 1862-1864 by CHARLES PHILLIPS), which takes a young German-Texican from the Nueces Massacre, to Mexico, to the 1st Texas Cavalry US, to Berdan's Sharpshooters at Chancellorsville to Gettysburg. Yes, it is a Texican fighting for Union. Finally, he faces a group of home guard who are harassing pacifists in western Virginia. Have stayed as true to history as possible. Available as Ebook and trade paperback ---- search Charles Phillips The Sharpshooter at Amazon or on the web. See reviews by Kirkus, Reader Views, and Bestsellers World.

Ryan:
Good luck to you and your book. The writing of fiction is the hardest labor I've ever undertaken. The effort to write my book, Ethan's Peach Tree, dwarfed the effort I put into my master's degree. Good luck, and may all your books be 'best sellers.'
-SDJ-

Both of these sound interesting. I'll check them both out. If either of you are interested in Texas soldiers and units in the Civil War, I would recommend "Sibley's New Mexico Campaign", if you haven't already read it. RC Nagle has a series of fictional stories with characters based on these campaigns that are pretty good. Though I didn't like the continuation of the series so much, when characters shifted to Galveston and Red River campaign.

OW! Just hurt my arm by patting myself on the back so much. BUT, Reader Views Literary Awards--2012 did award The Sharpshooter 1862-1864 a Third Prize in its Historical Fiction category. Bunch of these contest out there, but it still feels good.

Steven wrote: "I joined the American Civil War group today and have an interest in the Western Theater of War. See my post in the Trans-Miss thread."

Hi Steven. Have you read much Jeff Shaara? He has a new series out, all pertaining to the war west of the Appalachians. I got to interview him about it last month. Here's the link: http://historicalnovelsociety.org/jef...

I've just published a historical fiction book on the Civil War. Touched with Fire

The war scenes mostly center on the battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga.

Does anyone have a suggestion for historical fiction that deals with the experiences of native Americans during the Civil War period? Thanks.

Sean wrote: "I'd love to hear your opinion. There aren't enough books on the Trans-Mississippi Theater, fiction or nonfiction! I'm going to ask the moderator over at the American Civil War group if I can start ..."

I have written an Historic Fiction Civil War novel inspired by a true story centered around the battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga. It's titled Touched with Fire, and has received some very favorable reviews. It is available as an ebook and as a paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Nobel. Touched with Fire

Zena wrote: "Does anyone have a suggestion for historical fiction that deals with the experiences of native Americans during the Civil War period? Thanks."

Peter Cozzens wrote this book, I haven't read it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Not quite what I was looking for, but it does look interesting! Thanks.

Hi all. I just joined the group and I'm anxious to read your suggestions. I wrote a novella about PTSD during the Civil War called Soldier's Heart.

Hi Tamera, welcome to the group, your novella sounds quite interesting, I hope it does well.

by Tamera Lynn Kraft

Thanks, Aussie Rick. I'm happy to be here. I love CW fiction.

Sean wrote: "I'd love to hear your opinion. There aren't enough books on the Trans-Mississippi Theater, fiction or nonfiction! I'm going to ask the moderator over at the American Civil War group if I can start ..."
I'm new to this group, so don't know if there's a Trans-Mississippi thread. I haven't found it but would be interested. One really good novel is Steve Wiegenstein's SLANT OF LIGHT (don't know how to put the book cover up here), which takes place in the Missouri Ozarks during the war. There's a sequel coming out this summer.

Is it this book Deborah:


by Steve Wiegenstein

That's the one

NOT ONE AMONG THEM WHOLE by Edison McDaniels (Historical Fiction)
ISBN: 978-1482505160/1482505169 (Northampton House Press, March 2013)

Not One Among Them Whole: A Novel of Gettysburg

Introducing an audacious historical novel told from the viewpoint of the surgeons struggling amid the chaos and carnage of a battlefield hospital at Gettysburg in 1863.
The greatest battle ever fought on American soil is in full tilt. Southern Pennsylvania has become one great grinding stone and thousands of men are dead or dying in its wake. In this tilted landscape, reputations are made, careers are ruined, and men are driven to the brink in the wake of two armies intent on killing one another. What happens next amid the carnage and human flotsam will be unholy, unnerving, and all but unbearable, with only one thing certain: nobody will escape unscathed.
The flies.
The blood.
The wounds.
The soldiers.
The surgeons.
The undertakers.
The insanity.
Not One Among Them Whole, a novel, is vivid in its prose, graphic in its detail, and intense in its telling. A steep descent into madness.

AWARDS
IndieReader Approved 2013

SAMPLE REVIEWS (All Reviews)
“…resembles The Killer Angels and Cold Mountain, and its artistry rivals those great novels…a terrific achievement.”

—David Poyer, author of A Country of Our Own and The Shiloh Project, on Not One Among Them Whole
“An amazingly talented writer.”
—Taylor Polites, author of The Rebel Wife
“…great pacing and vivid characterization, with a gift for writing convincing dialogue. Original and unsettling.”

—FG Cottam, author of The Colony & The Magdalena Curse

“I would give this book 6 stars if I could.”
—D. Buxman, a Top 1000 Reviewer on Amazon, reviewing Not One Among Them Whole
“Author McDaniels is a surgeon and he takes you there, takes you into the heat of battle and introduces you to the horrors that were Gettysburg.”
—P.B. Sharp, a Top 500 Reviewer on Amazon, giving 5 stars to Not One Among Them Whole
“Despite the death and decay that permeate the novel, it is a compelling read, largely because of the skill with which McDaniels unfolds his characters’ stories…”
—Brid Nowlan, reviewing Not One Among Them Whole for IndieReader
“…a top-notch story that allows the reader to experience the trauma and raw barbarian world of the civil war. It’s a totally cool, modern book on our country’s history. Loved it.”
—Kimberlee Smith, novelist, giving 5 stars to Not One Among Them Whole at Amazon
“The writing is crisp, the dialogue is engaging and the plot lines are intricately woven and wonderfully timed.”
—D. Buxman, a Top 1000 Reviewer on Amazon, reviewing Not One Among Them Whole & giving it 5 stars

My favorite Historical Fiction Civil War Novels are these by Harold Coyle.

& by Harold Coyle (no photo)

These books follow two brothers who end up on separate sides of The Civil War. Coyle uses a fictional regiment in the place of real regiments, on each side, with representative characters including a woman masquerading as a man in order to fight in the War.

At the end of each book Coyle separates fact from fiction by telling which regiment was involved in the actions chapter by chapter. These are great books!

David wrote: "My favorite Historical Fiction Civil War Novels are these by Harold Coyle.

& by Harold Coyle (no photo)

These books ..."

I agree these are very enjoyable books. I've been thinking of a reread at some point. Pretty sure I read them not long after they were published.

I've also read a ten book series that follows a family through the ten largest Civil War Battles called "The Battle Series". It's not as accurate but is targeted to a teen audience. These books were still very entertaining and is a great introduction for younger audiences to the Civil War.

by James Reasoner
by James Reasoner