Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

The journal was edited by John Q. Anderson.

Kate Stone was twenty in 1861, the year the Civil War started. She lived on a large cotton plantation, Brokenburn, in northeast Louisiana, about 30 miles northwest of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Brokenburn was located in the floodplain of the Mississippi River in what is now Madison Parish. Enslaved people worked on their plantation.

In the beginning of her journal, Kate was involved in many social activities—formal dining, informal “spend the days,” evening parties, riding frolics, and neighbor visits. Early morning hunters with their packs of hounds baying, horns blowing, and horses stamping were familiar sounds.

Then the war grew closer. Her brothers and her uncle enlisted in support of the Confederacy. The war brought lots of heartache and tragedy. Kate looked back on her twenty-year-old self and realized that she had been pampered. That certainly changed.

Knowing this was a journal made the tragic deaths of loved ones difficult to read, yet I was grateful for Kate’s honesty.

I bought this book for research purposes. My Spies of the Civil War Series has three books set in Vicksburg during the war— Streams of Courage, Book 4, River of Peril, Book 5, and Tides of Healing. I read many other books for my research. This book provided many details of daily life in the 1860s. I enjoyed it very much.

Great book for history lovers interested in learning about the Civil War in Mississippi and Louisiana.  

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Vicksburg: A People at War 1860-1865

This nonfiction book reports on events that took place in Vicksburg, Mississippi, during the Civil War (1861-1865).

Walker arranged the book in mostly chronological order, which makes it an easy read. The accounts are well-written and easily grabbed my attention.

Filled with interesting details about important leaders and events, this book also includes quotes from newspapers articles that show thoughts and attitudes of the times. It is a treasure trove of information in that it takes readers back in time with its inclusion of descriptions of businesses and streets, and quotes from many of the folks who lived in Vicksburg. I highlighted many paragraphs as I read it.

In fact, I bought this book for research purposes. My Spies of the Civil War Series has three books set in Vicksburg during the war— Streams of Courage, Book 4, River of Peril, Book 5, and Tides of Healing. I read many other books for my research and this was one I enjoyed very much.

Great book for anyone interested in learning about the Civil War in Vicksburg, Civil War research, and history lovers.

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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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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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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

A Biography of the Capital

This nonfiction book reports on events that took place in the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War (1861-1865).

Thomas arranged the book in mostly chronological order, which makes it an easy read.

Filled with interesting details about important leaders and events, this book also includes charts, maps, and, places, and Richmond businesses. The author even included military buildings, hospitals, newspapers, businesses, owners’ names, and the street location—a treasure for historical authors!

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. The book enriched my understanding of what Richmond citizens faced during the war.

Recommended for anyone interested in learning about the Civil War in Richmond, Civil War research, and history lovers.

 

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