The Sentinels of Andersonville
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Hardcover
It seems kind of trite to say that "this is my first Tracy Groot story, but it won't be my last" - yet that is certainly true in my case. Tracy says on her website that she has found her niche writing stories built around historical events, and while I haven't read her earlier books, I would have to agree with that statement. If you, like me, want Christian fiction that challenges, confronts, inspires, motivates, and entertains at the same time, then The Sentinels of Andersonville is for you.
I was drawn to this book because I enjoy character-driven drama, as well as southern fiction, and The Sentinels of Andersonville takes place in my own state of Georgia - but little did I know of the atrocities that took place there. Tracy begins her narrative with these cold, hard facts:
"During the last fourteen months of the Civil War, Andersonville Prison in Sumter County, Georgia, was a place of unimaginable suffering. In fourteen months, 45,000 men passed through the gates. Of those, 13,000 died, primarily from starvation and exposure."
Characterization centers around three Southerners - Sentry Dance Pickett, Corporal Emery Jones, Southern belle Violet Stiles - and Union prisoner Lew Gann, with whom Emery formed an "uncommon friendship." That friendship is at the heart of this story, and it reflects the kind of love to which Christ calls us.
But the main character is the Andersonville military prison located outside the South Georgia town of Americus. Andersonville was a place where politics reigned supreme, and any kindness or sympathy toward the Yankee prisoners was perceived as treason. "If hell is a province or a state or a country, Andersonville is a town in it," according to Dance. Such was the depth of bitterness and hatred for the North that the town of Americus was able to forget these men were human and turn a blind eye. Dance says: "They are not men, according to General Winder. They are a species called 'Yankee,' and woe to the one who thinks he sees in them a form like unto humanity."
But in this story, Tracy has taken what could potentially be an uncomfortable read, infused it with naturally-flowing wit and humor, added some wonderful plot twists that come out of left field, and made it highly entertaining - and that's a great gift. Spiritual themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the desire to risk all in order to make a difference will speak to any reader.
Who, indeed, is my neighbor? The Sentinels of Andersonville asks this question in a pointed way and lets readers determine the answer for themselves. Thank you for a moving and compelling book, Tracy Groot! Highly recommended to all readers.
Thank you to Tyndale for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was drawn to this book because I enjoy character-driven drama, as well as southern fiction, and The Sentinels of Andersonville takes place in my own state of Georgia - but little did I know of the atrocities that took place there. Tracy begins her narrative with these cold, hard facts:
"During the last fourteen months of the Civil War, Andersonville Prison in Sumter County, Georgia, was a place of unimaginable suffering. In fourteen months, 45,000 men passed through the gates. Of those, 13,000 died, primarily from starvation and exposure."
Characterization centers around three Southerners - Sentry Dance Pickett, Corporal Emery Jones, Southern belle Violet Stiles - and Union prisoner Lew Gann, with whom Emery formed an "uncommon friendship." That friendship is at the heart of this story, and it reflects the kind of love to which Christ calls us.
But the main character is the Andersonville military prison located outside the South Georgia town of Americus. Andersonville was a place where politics reigned supreme, and any kindness or sympathy toward the Yankee prisoners was perceived as treason. "If hell is a province or a state or a country, Andersonville is a town in it," according to Dance. Such was the depth of bitterness and hatred for the North that the town of Americus was able to forget these men were human and turn a blind eye. Dance says: "They are not men, according to General Winder. They are a species called 'Yankee,' and woe to the one who thinks he sees in them a form like unto humanity."
But in this story, Tracy has taken what could potentially be an uncomfortable read, infused it with naturally-flowing wit and humor, added some wonderful plot twists that come out of left field, and made it highly entertaining - and that's a great gift. Spiritual themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the desire to risk all in order to make a difference will speak to any reader.
Who, indeed, is my neighbor? The Sentinels of Andersonville asks this question in a pointed way and lets readers determine the answer for themselves. Thank you for a moving and compelling book, Tracy Groot! Highly recommended to all readers.
Thank you to Tyndale for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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