History comes alive in fictional recounting
Historical fiction author Bob O?Connor examines the events of the Civil War battle of Gettysburg from the perspective of four real individuals: brothers John Wesley (known as Wesley) Culp and William Esias Culp, Wesley?s friend Johnston ?Jack? Skelly, Jr., and Jack?s sweetheart Mary Virginia ?Jennie? Wade, all from Gettysburg.
The Culp brothers found themselves on opposite sides in the fighting and faced each other in battle on at least two occasions. Wesley fought for the South, William and Jack fought for the Union. Through their stories, the reader experiences both the day-to-day routine and the heart-pounding terrors of battle.
O?Connor draws on historical military documents, existing personal records and an empathic interpretation to put the events into fictional monologues from each character?s perspective. The book allows readers to walk the roads with the soldiers and see things from the enlisted man?s point of view. Actual photographs and maps are scattered throughout the volume. Although labeled fiction, the book?s careful scholarship lifts it to a new level.
There is a highly personal element to the book that draws the reader into the events on a less overwhelming level than many accounts of the war. Yet that same personal aspect makes the situation all the more tragic. The numbing effect of reading about thousands of casualties is negated by the personal accounts in ?House.? These are people, not statistics.
?A House Divided Against Itself? takes the reader on a well-written journey into a nation?s nightmare through the eyes of real participants. I place this book on the ?must read? list for any Civil War buff as well as those with an interest in American history in general. It delivers historical fact, adventure and romance and does it well.
Disclaimer: This review is based on a copy of the book provided by the author. No constraints were placed on the review. The opinions are my own.
