Book Review

Virginia Waterways and the Underground Railroad

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

This book by Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander, PhD gives some historical background of slavery in Virginia. Much of the book gives accounts of folks who escaped slavery and how they accomplished it.

The author shows that many of the freedom seekers escaped on small vessels and steamships on Virginia’s tidal rivers like the James, York, and the Potomac.

I found this book informative, well-organized, and well-researched. Lots of helpful facts were included, such as laws and the years they were passed. For example, free blacks were able to purchase the freedom of relatives after the passage of a 1782 law.

The discussion of the Underground Railroad was helpful as were the charts, photos, maps, and sketches.

The Underground Railroad is a topic in Byway to Danger, Book 3 in my “Spies of the Civil War” series.

Recommended for those desiring to learn more about the history of slavery.

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The Richmond Slave Trade by Jack Trammell

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

The Economic Backbone of the Old Dominion

This book deals with a dark part of American history. For that reason, it isn’t an easy read.

The author traces the history of slavery in America. By 1671, there were 6,000 white indentured servants and 2,000 black slaves in Virginia.

I learned a lot in reading this book. For example, a Virginia law passed in 1806 gave newly freed slaves one year to leave the state or risk being automatically placed back into bondage for life.

The author included charts, photos, maps, and sketches to enhance readers’ understanding of information given.

The Underground Railroad is a topic in Byway to Danger, Book 3 in my “Spies of the Civil War” series.

Recommended for those desiring to learn more about the history of slavery.

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Fort Monroe by Quarstein and Mroczkowski

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Fort Monroe: The Key to the South

The Civil War History Series

This book gives a wonderful history of Fort Monroe during the Civil War and beyond. This important fort was under Union control throughout the war.

I love the photos that really enhance readers’ understanding of information given.

The authors provide details about Camp Hamilton. It was basically a tent city with temporary structures near Fort Monroe.

Runaway slaves escaped to Fort Monroe in May of 1861. General Butler sheltered them as “contraband of war,” an important decision that ultimately affected thousands.

I visited Fort Monroe on a research trip. What a wonderful place, steeped in history. That visit inspired me to use Fort Monroe as a setting in Byway to Danger, Book 2 in my “Spies of the Civil War” series.

Recommended for history lovers and for those who desire to learn more about the Civil War.

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What is a Family? by Annette Griffin

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

This delightful children’s picture book is a sweet read.

The author uses different animals in nature and goes through the alphabet to show what different animal groups are called.

For example, lions have a pride and hawks have a cast.

Beautifully illustrated. A lovely book that tells the story with rhymes that appeal to children.

The book is geared to children 2 – 6.

I will look for more books by this author.

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The U.S. History Cookbook by D’Amico and Drummond

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Delicious Recipes and Exciting Events From the Past

I love to find books suitable for elementary grade children. This one not only gives some fun facts from U.S. History, it also includes easy recipes for children to make with their parents. I love it!

The first part of the book shows sketches of items used in cooking, such as a pastry blender or a rolling pin, and how they are used.

The next part explains cooking terms with sketches for cutting, measuring, stovetop cooking, and separating eggs. And I love that there’s also a section about safety. The authors put a lot of thought into this cookbook.

After that, each chapter provides historical background, “Fun Food Facts,” and recipes representing the time period.

Included in this book are chapters on Colonial Fare, The First Thanksgiving, A Pioneer Breakfast, and World War II Rations, to name a few.

Very well-done cookbook for children. I love that it also teaches them a bit of history along the way. 😊

Recommend for elementary children and perhaps a year or two into the middle-grade category.

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Autobiography of Mark Twain

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Collector’s Edition, 100th anniversary of Twain’s death

The authentic, original version

Mark Twain, pen name for Samuel Clemens, is one of America’s most beloved authors. He dictated his autobiography in the early 1900s. Several of his family members had already died, including his beloved wife.

Pages of memories about his family fill the book, giving readers insights into characters, events, and settings of his famous novels.

He set out to write his autobiography in a different form than others had done. It’s not written in chronological order. Rather it jumps from the past to the present as circumstances bring to mind occurrences from his childhood, early adulthood, or raising his daughters.

Twain believed this format would be a model for future autobiographies. It jumps around a bit too much for me, though I easily understood why he moves from past to present because events tie them together.

I loved learning about the people, everyday moments, and events that Twain writes for his readers.

This glimpse into Twain’s private life is a treasure. One of my favorite authors!

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One of Jackson’s Foot Cavalry by John H. Worsham

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by Sandra Merville Hart

His Experience and What he saw during the War 1861 – 1865

This is a well-written history of the “F” Company, 21st Regiment Virginia Infantry, a company from Richmond. They were part of the Second Brigade, General “Stonewall” Jackson’s Division, Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia.

The author, John Worsham, enlisted on April 21, 1861, as a private. He was promoted to adjutant on September 12, 1864. His wounds at the Battle of Winchester a week later left him permanently disabled.

Worsham wrote an account of the battles and marches of his regiment. Many sections are very detailed—perfect for my research! I was researching this regiment for Boulevard of Confusion, Book 2 of my “Spies of the Civil Series” and was able to include some important details in my story from a soldier who lived it.

Worsham was in Richmond when it fell and described his despair.

Included in this book are details of each soldier in Company “F”, wonderful information for folks researching their family history.

Recommended for readers of Civil War history and for lovers of American history.

Hidden by Scott Dawson

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

A 40-Day Journey of Knowing Christ and Making Him Known

As Psalms 139 so beautifully illustrates, we can’t hide from God. Yet the author quotes Paul where he talks about our lives being “hidden with Christ in God” in Colossians 3:3. This seeming paradox is part of the author’s introduction for the 40-day devotional.

This devotional book is divided into sections including Seek, Doubt, Lost, Identity, Shame, Conform, Secure, Weakness, Found, and Hidden. Some sections struck a deeper chord with me.   

Each day’s devotion begins with the scripture reference for the author’s reflections. Most of them end with questions to stimulate thought.

Devotions can be read in less than five minutes so the daily read doesn’t require a lot of time.

There were multiple contributors to this book and the topics were thoughtfully arranged. Well-done devotional.

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Ironmaker to the Confederacy by Charles B. Dew

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Joseph R. Anderson and Tredegar Iron Works

Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond has been located by the James River since before the Civil War. It had rolling mills, foundries, a cooper shop, and many other buildings that made up the iron works.

Tredegar was vitally important to the Confederacy during the war as it made weapons for the army, such as cannons. Workers discovered early in the war to guard its weapons made in secret. For example, Union spies supplied the North with news of the submarine tests that Tredegar performed and figured out ways to combat them.

The author gives details from Tredegar’s history that included some of the day-to-day operations. This information was especially helpful for my research of Boulevard of Confusion, Book 2 in my “Spies of the Civil War” series. The hero in the story works at Tredegar and this book and couple of others provided wonderful historical information. Both Book 2 and Book 3 (Byway to Danger) are set in Richmond in 1862.

Well-written. Well-researched. This is recommended for anyone interested in learning about the Civil War in Richmond, Civil War weapons, and history lovers.

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Ashes of Glory by Ernest B. Furgurson

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Richmond at War

I loved this book! This nonfiction book brings the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War (1861-1865) to life.

Furgurson arranged the book in mostly chronological order, which makes it an easy read. The author has a storyteller’s flair for opening up history. It was a page-turner for me.

The author gives details from history that bring the scenes vividly to life for readers. Descriptive details that involve the senses transport readers to the difficult days of the war. The author includes details such as distances between Richmond locations—such as a “block and a half away”—that were a real treasure for me as a historical author.

In fact, I bought this book for research purposes. My “Spies of the Civil War” series has two books set in Richmond in 1862—Boulevard of Confusion, Book 2 and Byway to Danger, Book 3. I took lots of notes and highlighted passages testifying to how it enriched my understanding of what Richmond citizens faced during the war.

Well-written. Well-researched. This is recommended for anyone interested in learning about the Civil War in Richmond, Civil War research, and history lovers!

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