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Ballad #10
King's Mountain
From the New York Times bestselling author—the first Ballad novel to feature the epic, and gorgeously-portrayed, American Revolution
John Sevier had not taken much interest in the American Revolution, he was too busy fighting Indians in the Carolinas and taming the wilderness. But when an arrogant British officer threatened his settlement—promising to burn the farms and kill families—the war became personal.
That arrogant officer is Patrick Ferguson of the British Army—who is both charmingly antagonistic and surprisingly endearing. Inventor of the Ferguson rifle, and the devoted lover to his mistress, Virginia Sal, Patrick becomes a delightful anti-hero under McCrumb’s watchful eye.
Through varying perspectives, King’s Mountain is an elegant saga of the Carolina Overmountain Men—the militia organized by Sevier (who would later become the first governor of Tennessee) and their victory in 1780 against the Tories in a battle that Thomas Jefferson later called, "The turning point of the American Revolution."
Peppered with lore and the authentic heart of the people in McCrumb’s classic Ballads, this is an epic book that will build on the success of The Ballad of Tom Dooley and her recent return to the New York Times bestseller list. Featuring the American Revolution, this is a huge draw to readers old and new, and special to McCrumb who can trace her lineage to the character John Sevier.
John Sevier had not taken much interest in the American Revolution, he was too busy fighting Indians in the Carolinas and taming the wilderness. But when an arrogant British officer threatened his settlement—promising to burn the farms and kill families—the war became personal.
That arrogant officer is Patrick Ferguson of the British Army—who is both charmingly antagonistic and surprisingly endearing. Inventor of the Ferguson rifle, and the devoted lover to his mistress, Virginia Sal, Patrick becomes a delightful anti-hero under McCrumb’s watchful eye.
Through varying perspectives, King’s Mountain is an elegant saga of the Carolina Overmountain Men—the militia organized by Sevier (who would later become the first governor of Tennessee) and their victory in 1780 against the Tories in a battle that Thomas Jefferson later called, "The turning point of the American Revolution."
Peppered with lore and the authentic heart of the people in McCrumb’s classic Ballads, this is an epic book that will build on the success of The Ballad of Tom Dooley and her recent return to the New York Times bestseller list. Featuring the American Revolution, this is a huge draw to readers old and new, and special to McCrumb who can trace her lineage to the character John Sevier.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2013
130 people are currently reading
1858 people want to read
About the author
Sharyn McCrumb
116 books1,126 followers
Sharyn McCrumb, an award-winning Southern writer, is best known for her Appalachian “Ballad” novels, including the New York Times best sellers The Ballad of Tom Dooley, The Ballad of Frankie Silver, and The Songcatcher. Ghost Riders, which won the Wilma Dykeman Award for Literature from the East Tennessee Historical Society and the national Audie Award for Best Recorded Books. The Unquiet Grave, a well-researched novel about West Virginia's Greenbrier Ghost, will be published in September by Atria, a division of Simon &Schuster.
Sharyn McCrumb, named a Virginia Woman of History by the Library of Virginia and a Woman of the Arts by the national Daughters of the American Revolution, was awarded the Mary Hobson Prize for Arts & Letters in 2014. Her books have been named New York Times and Los Angeles Times Notable Books. In addition to presenting programs at universities, libraries, and other organizations throughout the US, Sharyn McCrumb has taught a writers workshop in Paris, and served as writer-in-residence at King University in Tennessee, and at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.
Sharyn McCrumb, an award-winning Southern writer, is best known for her Appalachian “Ballad” novels, including the New York Times best sellers The Ballad of Tom Dooley, The Ballad of Frankie Silver, and The Songcatcher. Ghost Riders, which won the Wilma Dykeman Award for Literature from the East Tennessee Historical Society and the national Audie Award for Best Recorded Books. The Unquiet Grave, a well-researched novel about West Virginia's Greenbrier Ghost, will be published in September by Atria, a division of Simon &Schuster.
Sharyn McCrumb, named a Virginia Woman of History by the Library of Virginia and a Woman of the Arts by the national Daughters of the American Revolution, was awarded the Mary Hobson Prize for Arts & Letters in 2014. Her books have been named New York Times and Los Angeles Times Notable Books. In addition to presenting programs at universities, libraries, and other organizations throughout the US, Sharyn McCrumb has taught a writers workshop in Paris, and served as writer-in-residence at King University in Tennessee, and at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
October 20, 2013
Considering this book is about a battle during the Revolutionary War, I expected the book to be at least somewhat exciting. Instead, I found it dull.
The biggest problem I had with King's Mountain was the way the story was told. The two main characters (John Siever and Virginia Sal) tell the story from first person point of view, in separate chapters. I felt this method did not work. It seemed the only reason the author wrote in this way was so the characters could have long, often boring conversations with other characters about key figures of the war. For example, Virginia Sal would ask Virginia Paul (a totally useless character that is never fully explained) a question about Patrick Ferguson. Virginia Paul would then tell Virginia Sal a detailed back-story about Ferguson's life. Not only was it irritating, but no one repeatedly speaks that way in real life.
I also had an issue with the amount of time McCrumb spent on irrelevant details, such as feeding the troops and the historical characters' past (much of which has no bearing on the story). There's very little action in a book that should be full of excitement. McCrumb also spends too much time making obvious statements, such as how the horses and men are tired after being on the march all day. Ya think;-)?!
A disppointing read, unfortunately.
The biggest problem I had with King's Mountain was the way the story was told. The two main characters (John Siever and Virginia Sal) tell the story from first person point of view, in separate chapters. I felt this method did not work. It seemed the only reason the author wrote in this way was so the characters could have long, often boring conversations with other characters about key figures of the war. For example, Virginia Sal would ask Virginia Paul (a totally useless character that is never fully explained) a question about Patrick Ferguson. Virginia Paul would then tell Virginia Sal a detailed back-story about Ferguson's life. Not only was it irritating, but no one repeatedly speaks that way in real life.
I also had an issue with the amount of time McCrumb spent on irrelevant details, such as feeding the troops and the historical characters' past (much of which has no bearing on the story). There's very little action in a book that should be full of excitement. McCrumb also spends too much time making obvious statements, such as how the horses and men are tired after being on the march all day. Ya think;-)?!
A disppointing read, unfortunately.
March 15, 2014
Although this book is designated as a continuation of McCrumb's rich "ballad" series, it departs in many ways from the other ballad novels. It is a rich and informative coup in historical writing, bringing dead history to life, as do McCrumb's other novels. However, it lacks the connectors between past and contemporary Appalachia that I see as so enriching in the previous novels. It also lacks that wonderful play on magic realism and infusing of the concept of the many ways of knowing that always thrills me. I don't mind the departure of Nora Bonesteel, but I do miss that glimpse of senses beyond the normal five.
For that reason, the book is not the literary masterpiece that I believe most of her other novels to be. It is a bare bones narrative, lacking that component of the true novel, as E.M, Forster says, conflict. The battle is fought and won before this novel begins. It lacks that spark of "the human soul in conflict with itself," which I've always found in McCrumb's works and which has led me to believe that she is one of the unrecognized greats in Southern/Appalachian literature.
I wish she would quit trying too hard to break from those silly critics who've insisted on categorizing her as a mystery writer. She is her own mystery. At her best she is a writer of the mysteries of humankind. This novel, while worthwhile, is the furthest removed from her magic. Not much human mystery. Still, the ole B&N led me back to the "mystery writers" section to find it. Give it up Sharyn. Free yourself to work your magic. It's better than Bonesteel!
For that reason, the book is not the literary masterpiece that I believe most of her other novels to be. It is a bare bones narrative, lacking that component of the true novel, as E.M, Forster says, conflict. The battle is fought and won before this novel begins. It lacks that spark of "the human soul in conflict with itself," which I've always found in McCrumb's works and which has led me to believe that she is one of the unrecognized greats in Southern/Appalachian literature.
I wish she would quit trying too hard to break from those silly critics who've insisted on categorizing her as a mystery writer. She is her own mystery. At her best she is a writer of the mysteries of humankind. This novel, while worthwhile, is the furthest removed from her magic. Not much human mystery. Still, the ole B&N led me back to the "mystery writers" section to find it. Give it up Sharyn. Free yourself to work your magic. It's better than Bonesteel!
April 30, 2014
Early in this historical Fiction about the King's Mountain battle in the Revolutionary War A seasoned veteran tell a young boy that war is as much about walking and waiting and sleeping rough as it is adventure and excitement. That would be a fairly good description of this book.It is 326 pages in length. The battle the book is about starts near page 249 and is mostly over by page 272.The rest is mostly walking and waiting.
I usually like Sharyn McCrumb's ballad books. They are based on true stories of the Appalachian Mountains told with great sympathy for the people of that region. She has tried to keep the story as close to the real events as possible. That may be part of the problem. This Historical Fiction could use a little more fiction. Several Characters could have been developed more. One of the most interesting is the British army officer. The Villain the piece, he seems to be a overly proud but foolish man. I think I would liked to see his story told in more depth and his personality explored.I have always had a weakness for flawed characters. There are other places where character development would have improved the read. I realize much of that would be pure speculation. But that is why we call it fiction. If you only want the facts read a history.
I usually like Sharyn McCrumb's ballad books. They are based on true stories of the Appalachian Mountains told with great sympathy for the people of that region. She has tried to keep the story as close to the real events as possible. That may be part of the problem. This Historical Fiction could use a little more fiction. Several Characters could have been developed more. One of the most interesting is the British army officer. The Villain the piece, he seems to be a overly proud but foolish man. I think I would liked to see his story told in more depth and his personality explored.I have always had a weakness for flawed characters. There are other places where character development would have improved the read. I realize much of that would be pure speculation. But that is why we call it fiction. If you only want the facts read a history.
November 15, 2013
Excellent fictionalized account of the Battle of King's Mountain near the North and South Carolina border in 1780. McCrumb tells the story from several viewpoints, including that of Colonel John Sevier, a militia leader from the northwestern part of North Carolina who helps form a rag tag army of volunteers to hunt down British commander Major Patrick Ferguson, who has been threatening local farmers who refuse to stay loyal to the crown. It is an interesting look at how the little army formed, character sketches of some of the key players of the time, and the battle that was key to turning the tide against the British in the South. The story is also told from the viewpoint of a farm girl known as Virginia Sal who throws her lot in with the British because it seems like a better life than working on a farm. She becomes one of Ferguson's washerwomen and lovers. About the only part of the book I didn't care for was the other washerwoman, Virginia Paul. The foreshadowing becomes a bit too much in places, but McCrumb usually adds a touch of the supernatural to her stories. The book was very-well narrated by Tom Stechshulte and Julia Gibson, who does a lovely Scottish brogue.
July 26, 2016
As both a great fan of Sharyn McCrumb and a history buff, I was a bit disappointed in this book. The plot was excellent, as were the narrators, and the history was spot on, but the story seemed to drag on unnecessarily long - too many little side goings on which could have been left out without impacting anything. Of course, having said that, I really did enjoy the book, if only to learn more about the history of not only my state (well, at the time of this book, Tennessee was still part of NC) but about my country as well. This is just the kind of thing that I really do enjoy, even with the excessive length. So, yes, I do recommend it, and the narrators make things well worth listening to. <><
May 1, 2014
I have always enjoyed Ms McCrumb's writing. She knows the people of Appalachia and writes about them with pride and warmth. I was especially interested in this book as one of my North Carolina ancestors was an Over Mountain man. I have always been proud of that line of my family but more so today after reading King's Mountain. As I read the book, I see many similarities between the Mountain Men of the 1700s and their progeny who live on in the mountains today! A fierce loyalty to the land and a pride that says, Bring it On is evident in many of the mountaineers who have Scotch Irish blood running in their veins. Another job well don Ms McCrumb!!
June 18, 2014
McCrumb is one of my favorite authors, and I especially enjoy her Ballad novels. This book is about the American Revolution, and for me, it was heavy on war details and light on the interactions between the characters. Sharyn McCrumb always describes the Appalachian scenery very well, the dialog is perfect, and the character development leaves you feeling as if you really knew these people. Maybe I didn't enjoy it as much because it's about war, or maybe she held back a bit because she was writing about historical figures. Either way, this is a good book, but (in my opinion) not her best.
March 8, 2016
This is an old fashioned highly detailed American Revolution period in Appalachia. Sacrifice and duplicity often reigned in order to walk the lines for survival. Much more of the military end 1780 in areas that are rarely highlighted for that war and those relevant loyalties. Difficult homesteading indeed.
Read
October 17, 2023This book is on the Reading List for my DAR chapter. It's especially meaningful to me, as my first DAR Patriot participated in the Battle of King's Mountain in South Carolina. I've done a good bit of research on the Battle and have a decent grasp of the participants. The Patriots had 10 commanders leading militias from Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina, all to converge in a small area.
While this book ***IS*** fiction, it does accurately depict the various militias and their origins. If I had not done the research, I am not sure that I could have followed the battle descriptions so easily.
If anyone reads the book (it was a freebie on Audible) and is curious, my 5th great-grandfather, Samuel Duff, joined up with the militia lead by Colonel Campbell from the Abingdon, VA region (formerly known as Wolf Creek).
I did take note of one particular quote. It resonated with me and what I know of my Scottish heritage... spoken by the character John Sevier:
"Now here is where I differ from my comrades, the rest of the men who settled the backwater country. Most of them are Scots or Irish - brave to a fault and loyal to the grave, I'll give them that. But here's the thing, they will hold a grudge tighter than a gold sovereign. If you ever do them a kindness, they will consider themselves in your debt forever, and that is an admirable sentiment. But the converse of it is, if you incur their anger by either injuring their pride or their person, they will neither forgive, nor forget your transgression. Never.
If they lived long enough to see the mountain crumble to dust and the river run dry, they would still hold on to that grudge and it would be as fresh and green as the day it was conceived."
While this book ***IS*** fiction, it does accurately depict the various militias and their origins. If I had not done the research, I am not sure that I could have followed the battle descriptions so easily.
If anyone reads the book (it was a freebie on Audible) and is curious, my 5th great-grandfather, Samuel Duff, joined up with the militia lead by Colonel Campbell from the Abingdon, VA region (formerly known as Wolf Creek).
I did take note of one particular quote. It resonated with me and what I know of my Scottish heritage... spoken by the character John Sevier:
"Now here is where I differ from my comrades, the rest of the men who settled the backwater country. Most of them are Scots or Irish - brave to a fault and loyal to the grave, I'll give them that. But here's the thing, they will hold a grudge tighter than a gold sovereign. If you ever do them a kindness, they will consider themselves in your debt forever, and that is an admirable sentiment. But the converse of it is, if you incur their anger by either injuring their pride or their person, they will neither forgive, nor forget your transgression. Never.
If they lived long enough to see the mountain crumble to dust and the river run dry, they would still hold on to that grudge and it would be as fresh and green as the day it was conceived."
November 26, 2013
I liked this book, but I found it much harder to read than any Sharyn McCrumb book ever. Usually her books are first rate. This one was written in such a deliberately slow pace that I kept putting it down for a day or two, until my curiosity would build back up. And yet, I didn't want to leave this book unfinished. It does a great job of teaching you what the main character tells his teenaged sons: war is mostly tedium, with a few exciting minutes of battle between long stretches of little happening. That description applies to this book.
The only thing I really did not like was the presence of a McCrumb ballad-novel trademark, the clairvoyant woman. In this story she drops in without explanation of any kind, plays a wholly unnecessary part, and then disappears. She could have warned Ferguson and given the story a little more fictional tension from the interest in how and why he would reject her message, but apparently the only person she tries to foretell the future is the other woman in the camp. It felt to me like a dangling string rather than a well integrated subplot. If I could give half stars, I would drop this down to two and a half, but her writing skill overall makes me round up rather than down.
The only thing I really did not like was the presence of a McCrumb ballad-novel trademark, the clairvoyant woman. In this story she drops in without explanation of any kind, plays a wholly unnecessary part, and then disappears. She could have warned Ferguson and given the story a little more fictional tension from the interest in how and why he would reject her message, but apparently the only person she tries to foretell the future is the other woman in the camp. It felt to me like a dangling string rather than a well integrated subplot. If I could give half stars, I would drop this down to two and a half, but her writing skill overall makes me round up rather than down.
July 23, 2014
I've read about 6 Sharyn McCrumb books, and I must say, this is my favorite one. I love history, and my husband's family comes from the part of NC where this is set, so I found it especially interesting.
It is definitely more history than fiction, but she writes it very well and she drew me into the characters and the battle. I had a hard time putting it down. Yes, it takes awhile to get to the actual battle, and the build up apparently was tedious to some readers, but, as another reviewer commented, one of Ms. McCrumb's points is that there is a lot of tedium in war.
While this book seems to have disappointed other Sharyn McCrumb fans, it has actually made me respect her more and want to continue to read her work. If you are more into fiction than history, this may not be the book for you, but I loved it.
It is definitely more history than fiction, but she writes it very well and she drew me into the characters and the battle. I had a hard time putting it down. Yes, it takes awhile to get to the actual battle, and the build up apparently was tedious to some readers, but, as another reviewer commented, one of Ms. McCrumb's points is that there is a lot of tedium in war.
While this book seems to have disappointed other Sharyn McCrumb fans, it has actually made me respect her more and want to continue to read her work. If you are more into fiction than history, this may not be the book for you, but I loved it.
July 4, 2017
The book started out promising with the struggles of life in the back country of N. Carolina as told by John Sevier and Virginia Sal. The book then went flat and I felt like I was on a long distance march to get to the end of the book.
June 22, 2021
Excellent historical novel by one of my favorite authors. Even though it is set in Appalachia, this is a bit different from Sharyn McCrumb's usual Ballad novels. It tells the story of one of the turning points in the American Revolution, when the OvertheMountain militia men won a major victory against British Regulars/Loyalist troops. Great characters on the American side who go on to be frontier explorers, governors, and leaders. Also interesting to see the role that the Cherokee were playing in the Revolution & how the American frontier folks resented the British attempts to prevent white settlement and expansion westward.
Story is mostly told from the standpoint of John Sevier, a TN leader (who will one day be a TN governor and opponent of Andrew Jackson) but some chapters are told by Virginia Sal, a young camp follower who is just looking for a way to get by, a way to not be hungry, but is caught up in the tragedies of the battle unfolding. Through her, we get to know the British leader, Patrick Ferguson, and understand more of what is going on. But this is basically John Sevier's story and it is a good one, well researched and well told.
Story is mostly told from the standpoint of John Sevier, a TN leader (who will one day be a TN governor and opponent of Andrew Jackson) but some chapters are told by Virginia Sal, a young camp follower who is just looking for a way to get by, a way to not be hungry, but is caught up in the tragedies of the battle unfolding. Through her, we get to know the British leader, Patrick Ferguson, and understand more of what is going on. But this is basically John Sevier's story and it is a good one, well researched and well told.
December 19, 2023
3.5
I believe this was my first "ballad novel." Although, I have read ballads, and I have read novels. Maybe I have just never noticed. Is Cold Mountain a ballad novel? Speaking of Charles Frazier, this book reminded me of his writing style. Maybe ballad novel is another way of saying historical fiction? That being said, Sharyn McCrumb is an accomplished writer, but this is my first dance with her.
This novel is about the Sevier family from which the author descends. I am very interested in all things Revolutionary War, and the title is what caught my eye. I enjoyed looking up the various characters along the way, many being real people in history, and learning about them. McCrumb tells a good story, while at the same time making it relatable to all readers. How? It is from both sides of the war, a view from all classes and loyalties. The pain, hunger, love and loss are just but a few of the emotions that McCrumb drills into the reader. Those emotions were tucked under the blanket of sacrifice: families wanting more for family members they will never meet, kinsmen wanting more for their neighbors, and the ultimate sacrifice of yourself for the greater good of all. This is a book that must be read with 18th Century glasses on. The people in the wilderness (Sevier family) of the New World were British citizens, and the war that took place was essentially a civil war. Whig and Tory families were neighbors and kin. McCrumb does a nice job relaying how delicate this was. She also does a great job at showing how many could not care less about the war and the struggle to survive was paramount over the freedom being thrown around. Are you loyal to King George? Well, depends on how's asking. I have a farm, a wife and five children to keep safe.
All in all, McCrumb tells of the average Joe who gave so much. This book barely mentions the "big guys" of the war, and that is a great perspective. I commend McCrumb for not having cameos to prop up the book.
I believe this was my first "ballad novel." Although, I have read ballads, and I have read novels. Maybe I have just never noticed. Is Cold Mountain a ballad novel? Speaking of Charles Frazier, this book reminded me of his writing style. Maybe ballad novel is another way of saying historical fiction? That being said, Sharyn McCrumb is an accomplished writer, but this is my first dance with her.
This novel is about the Sevier family from which the author descends. I am very interested in all things Revolutionary War, and the title is what caught my eye. I enjoyed looking up the various characters along the way, many being real people in history, and learning about them. McCrumb tells a good story, while at the same time making it relatable to all readers. How? It is from both sides of the war, a view from all classes and loyalties. The pain, hunger, love and loss are just but a few of the emotions that McCrumb drills into the reader. Those emotions were tucked under the blanket of sacrifice: families wanting more for family members they will never meet, kinsmen wanting more for their neighbors, and the ultimate sacrifice of yourself for the greater good of all. This is a book that must be read with 18th Century glasses on. The people in the wilderness (Sevier family) of the New World were British citizens, and the war that took place was essentially a civil war. Whig and Tory families were neighbors and kin. McCrumb does a nice job relaying how delicate this was. She also does a great job at showing how many could not care less about the war and the struggle to survive was paramount over the freedom being thrown around. Are you loyal to King George? Well, depends on how's asking. I have a farm, a wife and five children to keep safe.
All in all, McCrumb tells of the average Joe who gave so much. This book barely mentions the "big guys" of the war, and that is a great perspective. I commend McCrumb for not having cameos to prop up the book.
December 19, 2022
Well worth taking the time to read to learn a bit about the battle that in many ways was a turning point in the American Revolution. Historical fiction, yes, but well researched. I thought it started a bit slowly but the last 1/3 moved right along. Good to read both the epilogue and the acknowledgements at the end and to have a Google terrain view map open as you read to better understand the route and distances.
January 31, 2020
Battle. I'm not much for war stories. All of it took place in the Revolutionary War. Skip this one if you read this series unless war is your thing.
August 24, 2023
This was the first time I’ve ever read an entire book about one short battle - a battle which doesn’t even start until page 250 - but I found it very interesting. It fills in another gap in Appalachian history, giving me increased insight into my heritage.
If you read McCrumb’s Ballad series, be sure to read the forwards, afterwards, and acknowledgments at the end. She gives all the sources she used during her research.
If you read McCrumb’s Ballad series, be sure to read the forwards, afterwards, and acknowledgments at the end. She gives all the sources she used during her research.
May 23, 2015
There is a reason that Jonesboro Tennessee holds a story tellers event every year, and it is because the very best story tellers are from the region. The hills of Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina have many legends and the residents of the area have been telling them for years. Before the advent of television, mountain people told their children stories of all ilk. Some of these tales frightened the children into staying close to home. Some were of lost loves, many were of battles and such is this tale by in my estimation, a captivating author, Sharon McCrumb. I have been reading Ms. McCrumb's novels for years, and have completely enjoyed each one. She knows the mountains and its people like few other. (I did read St. Dale as well, which was a departure from her ballad novels, and while I picked it up unknowingly, was not disappointed.)
This novel brings the Revolution home to me. Here in Nashville, we have a park named for John Sevier, but I knew little about him. History books give one dates and names, but not heart. Ms. McCrumb's novel does just that. I never gave a thought about the sacrifices truly made by obscure farmers and their families. All that said, I can't believe I read a battle story, not my favorite genre...yet perhaps we should especially with Memorial Day coming up, consider reading about the courage it took to start this great nation of ours.
This novel brings the Revolution home to me. Here in Nashville, we have a park named for John Sevier, but I knew little about him. History books give one dates and names, but not heart. Ms. McCrumb's novel does just that. I never gave a thought about the sacrifices truly made by obscure farmers and their families. All that said, I can't believe I read a battle story, not my favorite genre...yet perhaps we should especially with Memorial Day coming up, consider reading about the courage it took to start this great nation of ours.
October 5, 2013
This novel gives an interesting backstory to the Southern Mountain culture that forms the backdrop to the Ballad series. The author makes the history come alive thru her descriptions of the places and lives of the participants, and there is an appealing touch of other-worldliness to the ambiguous but eventually accurate foreshadowing offered by one of the characters. I would have been more satisfied if this character would have been further developed and explained.
In a bit of what seems to be unintentional irony, the story continually emphasizes the resistance to authority and fierce independence of the Carolina Overmountain Men, while their actual success in resisting the threats of the British commander is totally due to their banding together with their like minded fellow frontiersman in common cause, subverting most of their independence to a set of appointed militia officers who make decisions by discussion leading to common agreement. Pity that their descendants can't seem to emulate this performance in Washington, D.C., in the current era.
In a bit of what seems to be unintentional irony, the story continually emphasizes the resistance to authority and fierce independence of the Carolina Overmountain Men, while their actual success in resisting the threats of the British commander is totally due to their banding together with their like minded fellow frontiersman in common cause, subverting most of their independence to a set of appointed militia officers who make decisions by discussion leading to common agreement. Pity that their descendants can't seem to emulate this performance in Washington, D.C., in the current era.
October 23, 2013
Sharyn McCrumb is the reigning queen of the Appalachian Ballad Novel, no doubt about it. If you are expecting a continuation of her normal characters you will be disappointed. But if you are a fan of good historical fiction, you will be please by this offering. This book takes place during the American Revolution and tells the mostly untold tale of the battle of King's Mountain in between North and South Carolina. It tells the story of the humans behind the heroes and I was fascinated by it.
October 3, 2016
You never really hear much about the southern part of the Revolutionary War. Continental Army, Lafayette, Washington, Bunker Hill, Concord, Valley Forge, the surrender at Yorktown. Maybe a passing mention of the occupation of Charleston and Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.
Yet, the battle of King's Mountain was said by Jefferson to be the turning point of the war.
Yet, the battle of King's Mountain was said by Jefferson to be the turning point of the war.
August 7, 2017
I just can't get through this one. I've tried for over a month to get into it, and I just can't. It's not at all what I was expecting from a Sharyn McCrumb Ballad novel. Those were lyrical, amazingly well written books and this is... tedious. It's not poorly written, it's just so many little details about the Revolutionary War that it feels more like non-fiction.
February 28, 2015
Primarily a fictionalized history of the battle of King's Mountain, I found it readable and engaging enough to finish. The assertion that this battle won the war was overmuch but probably what Sevier thought. The author researched well as usual. It does read like a history book.
January 26, 2016
I am a huge fan of McCrumb's Ballad Series. This entry was more plodding than most of her books, but I did enjoy the insight into the Revolutionary War and the Appalachian participation.
June 9, 2024
DNF. Page 69. I know I read this book when it came out and I remember it. It is very possible I did t finish it then. This is about a settlement during revolutionary war. It is very slow and dull.
December 10, 2016
I usually like Sharyn McCrumb's novels. This one was boring and stilted, and her main characters were not fleshed out enough for me to really care.
November 19, 2017
King's Mountain is a fictionalized account of the battle of King's Mountain in South Carolina near the North Carolina border. I chose this novel for 2 reasons---the first being that I have enjoyed the previous books by her that I had read very much and the 2nd reason being that I was already familiar with the King's Mountain battleground site since I lived in SC for 11 years. I knew it was an important battle site for the Revolutionary War but knew very little more about it.
I am not a fan of military novels---they have an important place but are just not a genre I usually enjoy. However, I enjoyed this one because of McCrumb's writing style and because I discovered that the novel started out in the part of what is now East Tennessee where my husband is from and I have been to many, many times. It was fascinating for me to visualize hundreds of men along with a herd of cattle traveling on horseback and on foot through this rugged mountain terrain. I have been to Roan Mountain which is mentioned many times. Not only did I learn about a particular battle but also much more about the history of North Carolina, Tennessee (which did not exist as a state at the time of this battle), and South Carolina.
John Sevier, one of the main characters of the novel, was basically a farmer who also had a part in the local militia defending settlers in the mountains of western North Carolina and what is now East Tennessee from attacks by Cherokee Indians. He is visited by another militia leader, Isaac Shelby, and encouraged to join up with him to go fight a Scottis officer with the British forces by the name of Patrick Ferguson who has made it known he wants the backwoods and mountain men to stay out of battles with British forces. Sevier had been involved in many battles with the Indians and was a man of influence in his area. He agreed to go along with Shelby to go fight Ferguson in South Carolina to keep him from getting closer to their homes. From that point, the novel goes on to describe how he and other leaders of militia from North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina came together to fight Ferguson at the site of King's Mountain.
McCrumb's description of the journey of Sevier and the other leaders along with their hundreds of men was amazingly accurate in its details. Since I was curious about people and places mentioned in the book, I looked them up and found them documented in other sources as historically and geographically accurate. McCrumb brings the leaders to life giving enough personal details to see them as real people. I really liked the character of John Sevier who also had 2 of his sons accompanying him to the battle. Although he was courageous, he was also a man of integrity and compassion which is evidenced late in the novel when prisoners are being hanged. He went on to become the first governor of Tennessee. McCrumb did add two totally fictional characters to the story, Virginia Sal and Virginia Paul, female servants with the British army. They did not add much to the story but gave another view of people involved in the battles.
Some reviewers have mentioned that the progress of the novel was too slow for them. It was slow at times but I felt the details covered added to the richness of the story and made it more than just a dry recital of battle facts.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and particularly those who enjoy reading about the Revolutionary War.
I am not a fan of military novels---they have an important place but are just not a genre I usually enjoy. However, I enjoyed this one because of McCrumb's writing style and because I discovered that the novel started out in the part of what is now East Tennessee where my husband is from and I have been to many, many times. It was fascinating for me to visualize hundreds of men along with a herd of cattle traveling on horseback and on foot through this rugged mountain terrain. I have been to Roan Mountain which is mentioned many times. Not only did I learn about a particular battle but also much more about the history of North Carolina, Tennessee (which did not exist as a state at the time of this battle), and South Carolina.
John Sevier, one of the main characters of the novel, was basically a farmer who also had a part in the local militia defending settlers in the mountains of western North Carolina and what is now East Tennessee from attacks by Cherokee Indians. He is visited by another militia leader, Isaac Shelby, and encouraged to join up with him to go fight a Scottis officer with the British forces by the name of Patrick Ferguson who has made it known he wants the backwoods and mountain men to stay out of battles with British forces. Sevier had been involved in many battles with the Indians and was a man of influence in his area. He agreed to go along with Shelby to go fight Ferguson in South Carolina to keep him from getting closer to their homes. From that point, the novel goes on to describe how he and other leaders of militia from North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina came together to fight Ferguson at the site of King's Mountain.
McCrumb's description of the journey of Sevier and the other leaders along with their hundreds of men was amazingly accurate in its details. Since I was curious about people and places mentioned in the book, I looked them up and found them documented in other sources as historically and geographically accurate. McCrumb brings the leaders to life giving enough personal details to see them as real people. I really liked the character of John Sevier who also had 2 of his sons accompanying him to the battle. Although he was courageous, he was also a man of integrity and compassion which is evidenced late in the novel when prisoners are being hanged. He went on to become the first governor of Tennessee. McCrumb did add two totally fictional characters to the story, Virginia Sal and Virginia Paul, female servants with the British army. They did not add much to the story but gave another view of people involved in the battles.
Some reviewers have mentioned that the progress of the novel was too slow for them. It was slow at times but I felt the details covered added to the richness of the story and made it more than just a dry recital of battle facts.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and particularly those who enjoy reading about the Revolutionary War.
November 13, 2017
A historical novel about the Battle of Kings Mountain. Not all bad, but could be better. The recording is done well-enough though, with good disc-end notification and beginning ID.
Much of the story is spent on the logistics of getting 1000 frontiersman together to fight Tory militia. It probably was a big deal, but not a great story per se. The historical novels I've enjoyed tend to dwell more with tactics & strategies employed, on the military side, and the day-to-day life of one exceptional individual of the day.
The contrast between the two protagonists who relate the story are pretty stark. On the one side, a well-known historical figure (John Sevier), a liberty-loving frontiersman who feels the patriot side serves him better and doesn't like the sound of the threats from the Tory/British camp, nor the fact that the British have armed the Cherokee to drive away the frontier families, including his.
The other is a camp follower who could care less who wins as long as she has food and shelter. There's little explanation of why we should care about her. She might have served to convey the Tory POV or even the Tory commander's POV, but the author never really gets there; there are glimpses, though. There is another character, the mysterious Virginia Pol, who strangely foreshadows Ferguson, and Sal's, doom. Her character was unconvincing and pointless.
The author was not effective portraying the corrupt system of commission and advancement in HRH King George's army nor what motivated the Ferguson character to continue in that army after being severely wounded and after having his obviously better rifle altogether disregarded. Loyalty to the Crown notwithstanding, there should be more explanation; other avenues were open, why did he take the one he did? He did make his choices, and he is another well-known historical figure, but why he is there is not well-explained.
The tactical depiction of the battle rings true though, lots of smoke, noise, misapprehension, bullets flying, whistle-blowing, etc.
Somehow titles such as "Guns Along the Mohawk" and "Northwest Passage" are better depictions of frontier life and dangers thereof
Much of the story is spent on the logistics of getting 1000 frontiersman together to fight Tory militia. It probably was a big deal, but not a great story per se. The historical novels I've enjoyed tend to dwell more with tactics & strategies employed, on the military side, and the day-to-day life of one exceptional individual of the day.
The contrast between the two protagonists who relate the story are pretty stark. On the one side, a well-known historical figure (John Sevier), a liberty-loving frontiersman who feels the patriot side serves him better and doesn't like the sound of the threats from the Tory/British camp, nor the fact that the British have armed the Cherokee to drive away the frontier families, including his.
The other is a camp follower who could care less who wins as long as she has food and shelter. There's little explanation of why we should care about her. She might have served to convey the Tory POV or even the Tory commander's POV, but the author never really gets there; there are glimpses, though. There is another character, the mysterious Virginia Pol, who strangely foreshadows Ferguson, and Sal's, doom. Her character was unconvincing and pointless.
The author was not effective portraying the corrupt system of commission and advancement in HRH King George's army nor what motivated the Ferguson character to continue in that army after being severely wounded and after having his obviously better rifle altogether disregarded. Loyalty to the Crown notwithstanding, there should be more explanation; other avenues were open, why did he take the one he did? He did make his choices, and he is another well-known historical figure, but why he is there is not well-explained.
The tactical depiction of the battle rings true though, lots of smoke, noise, misapprehension, bullets flying, whistle-blowing, etc.
Somehow titles such as "Guns Along the Mohawk" and "Northwest Passage" are better depictions of frontier life and dangers thereof
August 9, 2023
I really enjoy reading Sharyn McCrumb books whether it's the Elizabeth MacPherson series or the Ballad novels or any of her historical novels. I feel a connection with her work being that I am part Scot-Irish, have ancestors who fought in the Revolution & Civil War, & love learning about history. Her research is impeccable, many of her stories involve her ancestors & their fascinating adventures, & she tells such a good tale with wonderful characters that experience the events; she doesn't just rattle off the more famous facts & figures of battles or historical events, but puts a human face on them so you can understand how & why what's happening affects the people it's happening to. You feel as if you are there seeing it from their perspective. I found this especially true of this book, King's Mountain, which tells the tale of the Overmountain Men--groups of fighting men from the fledgling Kentucky/Tennessee frontier areas who take time out from defending themselves against Indian attacks to make a trip over the mountain into North & South Carolina, joining with other groups of non-military fighting men to track down & confront a British major who wrote them a threatening letter telling them to stay out of the colonist uprising. General George Washington & the majority of the paid military are further north & not doing well at the moment. The South is experiencing some scattered fighting by small Tory military units recruiting the local residents who are loyal to the king. The Overmountain Men are rather put out by this letter from a British officer telling them what to do & decide to take the battle to him. It's a long, arduous march, many of the men inexperienced & ill-equipped, but determined to show the Redcoats what they're made of. I felt I was with them on the march, through the battle, & heading home afterward--I could picture it all clearly thanks to the details & descriptions, the authenticity & accuracy. Definitely a must read for anyone interested in learning about this battle, not well-publicized yet thought of as one of the turning points in the fight for independence.
September 26, 2025
First let me start with the fact that I am a Sharyn McCrumb fan. I love the way she will research the facts in her books as well as bring us a glimpse into the lives of her subjects. For me King's Mountain was a fascinating read. It tells the story of the Over-the-Mountain men who went looking for the man who gave them an ultimatum threatening to march his army over the mountains and lay waste to their farms if they did not cease their opposition to the king. They found Major Patrick Ferguson on what the Patriots called "a hill" AKA King's Mountain. Armies from SC, NC, TN, and VA joined together under the commands of Colonel William Campbell and Colonels John Sevier, Joseph McDowell, Benjamin Cleveland, and Isaac Shelby and won the battle. This book was even more interesting to me because my 5 times great-grandfather was one of the Burke County soldiers who fought in this battle. King's Mountain is an extremely educational and very entertaining read, especially for Revolutionary War buffs.
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