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The Reckoning: Saga of a Civil War Blockade Runner
"The Reckoning" is the first-person account of one man, who answered duty's call during the Civil War, despite suffering from what doctors in that era called "soldier's heart" (PTSD). It's part history, part war-time romance and all non-stop action as army veteran Ed Canfield battles his own demons and deadly foes on every side.
The action begins in 1861, the same year that Abe Lincoln wins the presidency with only 39.8 percent of the popular vote. The South prepares for war against the North. But, in Florida, ex-army sharpshooter, Ed Canfield, and his hotheaded son, Jesse, are already at "war" with each other. Ed bars Jesse from joining the rebel army because Ed is haunted by what he saw and did during the Mexican-American War.
Then, a Yankee warship attacks their harbor and Ed and Jesse must take up arms. In a daring escape, the blockade runners dodge the Yankee shelling and head for the graveyard of the sea with its deadly shoals, smugglers, cutthroats and spies. They race down the gulf coast looking for a refugee camp where Ed hopes his girl friend, Maureen, has found safety. But, as they enter the steaming Everglades, the deadliest foe of all strikes.
The action begins in 1861, the same year that Abe Lincoln wins the presidency with only 39.8 percent of the popular vote. The South prepares for war against the North. But, in Florida, ex-army sharpshooter, Ed Canfield, and his hotheaded son, Jesse, are already at "war" with each other. Ed bars Jesse from joining the rebel army because Ed is haunted by what he saw and did during the Mexican-American War.
Then, a Yankee warship attacks their harbor and Ed and Jesse must take up arms. In a daring escape, the blockade runners dodge the Yankee shelling and head for the graveyard of the sea with its deadly shoals, smugglers, cutthroats and spies. They race down the gulf coast looking for a refugee camp where Ed hopes his girl friend, Maureen, has found safety. But, as they enter the steaming Everglades, the deadliest foe of all strikes.
292 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2012
7 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 27, 2013
Civil war history ... all packaged up in a delightfully readable novel
If you are looking for a romance or a pretty story, this book will please you well enough. The storytelling is realistic and all of the characters come to life, especially the protagonist Ed Canfield. But if you are looking for a realistic, gritty tale about what it's like to be a veteran returning from one war, only to watch his country fracture in a second, even -more- stupid war. This book brought the post-civil-war period to life in a way no other book I have ever read has.
Unlike the usual quasi-romantic civil war fare told through the eyes of an aristocrat or farmer-boy called to action, this story is told in a voice typical of the gritty protagonist of the old western tales, Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour ... only this tale has a strong, female protagonists (though Zane Grey had a few as well). I could picture John Wayne, Gary Kooper, or James Arness playing the part of Ed Canfield.
I think perhaps it is best if I let the protagonist Ed Canfield give you the geist of this story in his own words:
"After warring, most soldiers lay down their weapons, hang up their uniforms and go on about their lives as civilians. Not me. After I came home from the Mexican-American War, I burned my uniform. But nothing rid me of the nightmares that stuck with me like a burr on the hind end of a mangy dog. Night after night I fought an endless series of bloody skirmishes with demons that had no need of sleep. Always on edge and ready for a fight, I drifted from one dead-end job to the next like a man on the dodge. I didn't fit in."
This story brings that time period to life for a NEW generation who didn't have the benefit of old western movies to get an idea what the history was that created the gritty ex-veterans who then moved west to conquer a new frontier. The verdict ... buy!
If you are looking for a romance or a pretty story, this book will please you well enough. The storytelling is realistic and all of the characters come to life, especially the protagonist Ed Canfield. But if you are looking for a realistic, gritty tale about what it's like to be a veteran returning from one war, only to watch his country fracture in a second, even -more- stupid war. This book brought the post-civil-war period to life in a way no other book I have ever read has.
Unlike the usual quasi-romantic civil war fare told through the eyes of an aristocrat or farmer-boy called to action, this story is told in a voice typical of the gritty protagonist of the old western tales, Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour ... only this tale has a strong, female protagonists (though Zane Grey had a few as well). I could picture John Wayne, Gary Kooper, or James Arness playing the part of Ed Canfield.
I think perhaps it is best if I let the protagonist Ed Canfield give you the geist of this story in his own words:
"After warring, most soldiers lay down their weapons, hang up their uniforms and go on about their lives as civilians. Not me. After I came home from the Mexican-American War, I burned my uniform. But nothing rid me of the nightmares that stuck with me like a burr on the hind end of a mangy dog. Night after night I fought an endless series of bloody skirmishes with demons that had no need of sleep. Always on edge and ready for a fight, I drifted from one dead-end job to the next like a man on the dodge. I didn't fit in."
This story brings that time period to life for a NEW generation who didn't have the benefit of old western movies to get an idea what the history was that created the gritty ex-veterans who then moved west to conquer a new frontier. The verdict ... buy!
November 11, 2013
Excellent Civil War Novel
This is a well crafted story surrounding a one Ed Canfield and his family. The time frame is the early years of the Civil War. Despite the local youth running to the “Call to Arms,” Ed, a veteran of the Mexican-American war is all too familiar with what the call entails and it isn’t the line the politicians and preachers are strumming into the young men. They never mention the blood, gore and psychological toll veterans endure.
The story is set in Florida and the outlying keys. Ed is a simple man trying to make a dollar while not taking a side. He does his best to convince his estranged son, “signing up is not an option.” Despite his best efforts to maintain an arm’s length from the conflict, it seeks him out when the Union forces appear at Cedar Keys and destroy the port facilities. He, his son and many of the town folk flee to the safety of a known refugee camp deep in the Keys. What awaits them isn’t the peace and tranquility Ed so searches for, rather, he is forced to face the demon that haunts and taunts his dreams from a battle twenty years prior.
I couldn’t help but feel, this was almost written in the style of a Greek Tragedy. It is a quick, enticing and excellent story. If you have never read a good novel covering the life of one family during this tumultuous time, then place this at the top of the list. The crisp, concise descriptions will immerse you into a battle field, intrigue and espionage few have delved into.
Well done Mr. Larranaga
Five stars!
This is a well crafted story surrounding a one Ed Canfield and his family. The time frame is the early years of the Civil War. Despite the local youth running to the “Call to Arms,” Ed, a veteran of the Mexican-American war is all too familiar with what the call entails and it isn’t the line the politicians and preachers are strumming into the young men. They never mention the blood, gore and psychological toll veterans endure.
The story is set in Florida and the outlying keys. Ed is a simple man trying to make a dollar while not taking a side. He does his best to convince his estranged son, “signing up is not an option.” Despite his best efforts to maintain an arm’s length from the conflict, it seeks him out when the Union forces appear at Cedar Keys and destroy the port facilities. He, his son and many of the town folk flee to the safety of a known refugee camp deep in the Keys. What awaits them isn’t the peace and tranquility Ed so searches for, rather, he is forced to face the demon that haunts and taunts his dreams from a battle twenty years prior.
I couldn’t help but feel, this was almost written in the style of a Greek Tragedy. It is a quick, enticing and excellent story. If you have never read a good novel covering the life of one family during this tumultuous time, then place this at the top of the list. The crisp, concise descriptions will immerse you into a battle field, intrigue and espionage few have delved into.
Well done Mr. Larranaga
Five stars!
March 30, 2019
Wow, this was an incredibly well - researched book worth a lot of unique information about the Civil War. It was not quite my style, though, and I struggled to get into it and finish it. Glad I did, just took me a long time.
February 17, 2013
Action-packed plot that is reminiscent of Wild West tales, set on Florida's Gulf Coast still haunted by pirates during the American Civil War. The main character, Ed Canfield, is a veteran of the Mexican-American War who suffers from "soldier's heart" (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) when the Civil War breaks out and Ed's home is attacked, forcing him to fight once again for the people he loves.
A historical-romance about the South without the stereotypical characters like the "Southern Belle" found among bodice-rippers. The emphasis is on how Ed's PTSD has, and continues to, affect his family (you will not find erotica here).
The narrative mode changes occasionally, especially in the beginning of the book, when second-person narrative is used to move quickly through the war details occurring in the background. It's a little disjointed but it reminded me strongly of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and added an air of piracy without ever using the word, pirate.
Some of the background characters seem to fall flat. I suffer from post-trauma too (not the "soldier's heart" kind) and know that the biggest obstacles are usually in my own mind. This use of background characters read as intentional character development showing how Ed's past continues to interfere with present relationships.
There is also a reoccurring religious theme regarding Christianity and, even though I'm an eclectic pagan, I loved the use of this theme. Mr. Larranaga accurately depicts how religion - in this case, Christianity - can be used to justify the means in both good and bad ways. It also helped to illustrate how everyone is, to some extent, stuck in their own heads.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
A historical-romance about the South without the stereotypical characters like the "Southern Belle" found among bodice-rippers. The emphasis is on how Ed's PTSD has, and continues to, affect his family (you will not find erotica here).
The narrative mode changes occasionally, especially in the beginning of the book, when second-person narrative is used to move quickly through the war details occurring in the background. It's a little disjointed but it reminded me strongly of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and added an air of piracy without ever using the word, pirate.
Some of the background characters seem to fall flat. I suffer from post-trauma too (not the "soldier's heart" kind) and know that the biggest obstacles are usually in my own mind. This use of background characters read as intentional character development showing how Ed's past continues to interfere with present relationships.
There is also a reoccurring religious theme regarding Christianity and, even though I'm an eclectic pagan, I loved the use of this theme. Mr. Larranaga accurately depicts how religion - in this case, Christianity - can be used to justify the means in both good and bad ways. It also helped to illustrate how everyone is, to some extent, stuck in their own heads.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
March 17, 2013
I am fairly new to historical fiction and have never read anything related to the Civil War era before and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story itself drew me in from the start and the action-packed plot kept me engrossed to the end. The protagonist, Ed Canfield, is a wonderfully drawn character, brave, hard-working, a quick thinker and, although he's fighting some demons of his own, someone you'd want on your side if you were in a tough situation. It was also very refreshing that the woman he is in love with is portrayed as a strong, level-headed person and not a flighty Southern Belle.
As an added bonus, I appreciated learning about some of my state's history that I was previously unaware of. It was fun to search maps to find some locations mentioned in the book that were new to me (Punta Rassa and the Caloosahatchee River for instance).
I look forward to reading future works by this author!
As an added bonus, I appreciated learning about some of my state's history that I was previously unaware of. It was fun to search maps to find some locations mentioned in the book that were new to me (Punta Rassa and the Caloosahatchee River for instance).
I look forward to reading future works by this author!
December 2, 2012
I really love this book. If you love stories about the civil war , then this is the book to read. The character of Ed Canfield shows us what war does to the mind and spirit even after the war is over. This book helps you understand what war does to someone. This character shows courage through hard times. He never gives up on the love for a woman and his relationship with an estranged son. This story has plenty to keep you interested, love, action and maybe a few tears. I recommend this book to any one who loves history.
February 20, 2013
This took me a while to read since it is on Kindle PC and it is a desk top computer that I cannot take anywhere with me. This was worth reading. Kept my interest and could hardly wait to get time to read more of the story. It was a different story than others I have read with a Civil War theme. I really do recommend this to all you Civil War fans or anyone else for that matter. A very good read filled with lots of adventure.
August 18, 2013
A perspective of the civil war that was different from the norm...well written, educational and entertaining.
March 9, 2013
Wonderful, a great book about the Civil War. You will enjoy the characters and the adventure.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews