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Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis
What if…General Robert E. Lee had won the battle for Gettysburg? What if the Confederacy had won the war and seceded from the Union? What if slavery hadn’t been inevitable in the South?
CSA Confederate States of America is a seven-volume historical fiction series of both the Civil War and post-war period. This alternative history storyline follows both the Confederacy after gaining its independence and the Union after suffering defeat. The series reveals all of the internal and external challenges this new nation will face. The reader will see how the South will stand up to new threats, New York will become a symbol of resistance, and the Confederacy will have to question itself to survive.
BOOK ONE
Volume 1 of CSA Confederate States of America: Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis
July 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 3rd day of combat between the Union and the Confederacy. For two days, General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army has not been able to capitalize on any successes from the preceding day. Despite the criticism of some of his junior officers, the old general is standing his ground. He is ready to engage General Meade’s troops who already dug in and well prepared. While Lee is insisting on a frontal attack, his right-hand man, Lieutenant General Longstreet believes it’s an act of suicide.
And yet, on the third day, against all expectations, General Lee chooses to follow Longstreet’s recommendations. This sudden about-face will change the course of the war. In just a few days the Union is undone, and the Confederacy is recognized by the United States. The Confederacy’s victory casts a new light on the entire North American continent. Desires and ambitions, both internal and external, begin to take shape.
It is in this context that the lives of four people will be drastically changed –three men and a woman take hold of their destiny; four people who are neither heroes nor superhuman, whom we will both admire, and hate in the course of this saga because they are like us.
CSA Confederate States of America is a seven-volume historical fiction series of both the Civil War and post-war period. This alternative history storyline follows both the Confederacy after gaining its independence and the Union after suffering defeat. The series reveals all of the internal and external challenges this new nation will face. The reader will see how the South will stand up to new threats, New York will become a symbol of resistance, and the Confederacy will have to question itself to survive.
BOOK ONE
Volume 1 of CSA Confederate States of America: Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis
July 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 3rd day of combat between the Union and the Confederacy. For two days, General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army has not been able to capitalize on any successes from the preceding day. Despite the criticism of some of his junior officers, the old general is standing his ground. He is ready to engage General Meade’s troops who already dug in and well prepared. While Lee is insisting on a frontal attack, his right-hand man, Lieutenant General Longstreet believes it’s an act of suicide.
And yet, on the third day, against all expectations, General Lee chooses to follow Longstreet’s recommendations. This sudden about-face will change the course of the war. In just a few days the Union is undone, and the Confederacy is recognized by the United States. The Confederacy’s victory casts a new light on the entire North American continent. Desires and ambitions, both internal and external, begin to take shape.
It is in this context that the lives of four people will be drastically changed –three men and a woman take hold of their destiny; four people who are neither heroes nor superhuman, whom we will both admire, and hate in the course of this saga because they are like us.
- GenresGraphic Novels
64 pages, Hardcover
First published December 16, 2013
359 people want to read
About the author
Dorvall
1 book1 followera native of France, Dorvall always loved history and graphic novels. Earning his DEA (Diplôme d’Études Approfondies—a degree preceding a doctorates) from the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France, he went on to teach history for several years while avidly reading and collecting graphic novels in his free time. It was his interest in history, passion for graphic novels, and fascination with science fiction and adventure that inspired the creation of CSA Confederate States of America.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 14, 2014
I won this from a Giveaway for first-reads which was awesome and I am incredibly thankful for. I thought it was just an 'OK' comic. It has a great storyline and it will even be more enjoyable if you have some what of a history background (in this case most of the things happening in the story you learn in school) and understand the Civil War.
My only serious downgrade that made me give it a 3 out of 5 (yes, I will continue reading the series yet) is the art. It is really dark and hard to make out, and I felt like it could have been illustrated differently and more clear/sharp. I felt I really had to pay attention and make out the character who is talking to remember who they were and to know who was actually talking at that specific time. That's my only downgrade I felt.
Great story and I would recommend it to any comic/graphic novel fan. Especially history buffs who want a spin on things.
My only serious downgrade that made me give it a 3 out of 5 (yes, I will continue reading the series yet) is the art. It is really dark and hard to make out, and I felt like it could have been illustrated differently and more clear/sharp. I felt I really had to pay attention and make out the character who is talking to remember who they were and to know who was actually talking at that specific time. That's my only downgrade I felt.
Great story and I would recommend it to any comic/graphic novel fan. Especially history buffs who want a spin on things.
May 8, 2015
This is a graphic novel probing the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. The book proposes a scenario of what might have happened if the Confederate forces had won. This is a high-quality edition of an approach to history known as Alternate History. This creative and thoughtful new genre has produced very meaningful insights into various events of history.
This book explores the factors and personalities involved in the great conflict that challenged the American experiment from its founding. This thoughtful text with believable characters and action was written by a new French writer named in the credits only as Dorvall. Dorvall is a French educator with Masters and Doctors degrees in education.
The dynamic graphic renderings of this drama were developed in excellent, high-quality style by American artist Philip Renne, with over a decade of illustration experience. Sekwana was founded by a French couple in the USA and specializes in graphic novels. This hard-bound large publication is produced is a collector's item as well as an insightful historical portrait of the social and political dynamics involved in the great American conflict.
There are meaningful and attractive extras that add to the historical flavor. Sekwana includes an introduction to the authors and the series of which this is the first volume. The substantial pamphlet about this series and the discipline of Alternate History. This is produced in the style of a newspaper of the Civil War era, adding interest and attractiveness, as well as historical collector's value.
The package includes a replica on card stock of a bank note of the Confederate States of America. There is also a reproduction of a map of Battle of Gettysburg from the era, or in the style of the era. Great attention has been given to historical detail. This first volume is a venerable introduction to his historical series.
This book explores the factors and personalities involved in the great conflict that challenged the American experiment from its founding. This thoughtful text with believable characters and action was written by a new French writer named in the credits only as Dorvall. Dorvall is a French educator with Masters and Doctors degrees in education.
The dynamic graphic renderings of this drama were developed in excellent, high-quality style by American artist Philip Renne, with over a decade of illustration experience. Sekwana was founded by a French couple in the USA and specializes in graphic novels. This hard-bound large publication is produced is a collector's item as well as an insightful historical portrait of the social and political dynamics involved in the great American conflict.
There are meaningful and attractive extras that add to the historical flavor. Sekwana includes an introduction to the authors and the series of which this is the first volume. The substantial pamphlet about this series and the discipline of Alternate History. This is produced in the style of a newspaper of the Civil War era, adding interest and attractiveness, as well as historical collector's value.
The package includes a replica on card stock of a bank note of the Confederate States of America. There is also a reproduction of a map of Battle of Gettysburg from the era, or in the style of the era. Great attention has been given to historical detail. This first volume is a venerable introduction to his historical series.
April 27, 2014
I won this book through good reads, thank you! My heritage from my Mother's side is most definitely southern and while slavery is and was abolished during this difficult time in our nations history, I must admit that I had always wondered, what would have happened if the south had won the Civil War. When I received the book I opened it with great anticipation, I always take a quick thumb-through. I discovered that this book was written in comic book style with illustrations. The illustrations are visually stunning. At first I was taken aback by a comic book style of writing, but I started reading it a couple of weeks after receiving it. I finished rather quickly and sat it down on and did pick it back up again until today. I re-read it from cover to cover, again a quick read. I think the story is written well and quickly conveys that the South is winning and the Union states have lost. No spoiler here as we know that is what the author has intended. I don't think this book is for everyone especially if you are adverse to the "N" word. While the word makes me bristle, it was the word of the period, albeit our sensitivities and moral standards do not appreciate the word as it is a vile disgusting word that in any case I personally find offensive. With that said, I have watched movies such as "Roots" to "12 Years A Slave" and the word is used with as much vile and disgust there as well. The "N" word is not used all that much throughout "CSA-Confederate States of America" and slavery was not what the entire Civil War was about. Read it and wonder for yourself. Had America lost any way, what would it be like today. Seeing the Confederate Flag, a Soviet Flag, etc. flying high over the White House seems impossible to us today. But, what if...
April 6, 2014
Received an ARC through Goodreads Firstreads.
July 2, 1863. General Longstreet convinces General Lee to flank the Union Army, preventing the disastrous Pickett's charge and changing the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. With the Confederate victory, the North is thrown in chaos and congress hands power over to General McClellan and President Lincoln is banished to Chicago, IL. In the West, General Grant continues the fight against the South, despite McClellan's peace agreement with the Confederacy. Back in Gettysburg a group of UCCT soldiers are being held as POWs and are facing the frightening possibility of being returned to slavery. The realization that Northern blacks captured by the Confederacy are being sent into slavery makes a Southern captain question his commitment to the cause At the same time a French born Union lieutenant is battling the Confederates in the Pennsylvania countryside. In New York City a fiery Republican senator and his daughter rally the faithful against the South and McClellan.
This is the premise of Dorvall's alternative history graphic novel Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis part one of the seven volume CSA Confederate State of America series. Dorvall skillfully employs a cast of real and fictional characters in this very dark version of the Civil War. Renne's illustrations are stark and at times graphic, which perfectly matches Dorvall's dialogue. This is a chilling portrait of a country on the precipice of destruction. Highly recommended for fans of alternation/speculative fiction, I am eagerly awaiting for the next installment.
July 2, 1863. General Longstreet convinces General Lee to flank the Union Army, preventing the disastrous Pickett's charge and changing the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. With the Confederate victory, the North is thrown in chaos and congress hands power over to General McClellan and President Lincoln is banished to Chicago, IL. In the West, General Grant continues the fight against the South, despite McClellan's peace agreement with the Confederacy. Back in Gettysburg a group of UCCT soldiers are being held as POWs and are facing the frightening possibility of being returned to slavery. The realization that Northern blacks captured by the Confederacy are being sent into slavery makes a Southern captain question his commitment to the cause At the same time a French born Union lieutenant is battling the Confederates in the Pennsylvania countryside. In New York City a fiery Republican senator and his daughter rally the faithful against the South and McClellan.
This is the premise of Dorvall's alternative history graphic novel Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis part one of the seven volume CSA Confederate State of America series. Dorvall skillfully employs a cast of real and fictional characters in this very dark version of the Civil War. Renne's illustrations are stark and at times graphic, which perfectly matches Dorvall's dialogue. This is a chilling portrait of a country on the precipice of destruction. Highly recommended for fans of alternation/speculative fiction, I am eagerly awaiting for the next installment.
April 8, 2014
This was exciting to win, as the Civil war time period is one of my favorites in history to read about - Anything from the 13 colonies through the western expansion really.
Artwork - this was very lackluster to me - I know that everyone has their preference and style, and this may have intentionally been what the pair of authors wanted, but the artwork did not do anything for me - they seemed more like watercolor paintings, and very little realism and proportions were off on quite a few panels. they also did not add to the story very much, as about half way through I spent more focus on the words over the art, which is not a good thing for a graphic novel.
Story - the story was nothing great either - It did make a change to history, making this an alternate history graphic, but being called CSA I would expect that - and, being that the writer is French I am not surprised at the amount of French influence or characters - the dynamics of the story are very bland though - four pages on a single character, and then four pages on another character is a good pace, and it is set up like a TV show would be, so that part was done well ... except ... it wasn't. The focus changed at weird moments, and I don't feel that there was a real drive to the story, just a spouting of Alternate History facts more then a telling of a tale.
I do not hate this, as it was interesting enough to make me want to finish, but not interesting enough to continue. I feel that the effort is in the pages, but not in the product, if you follow my meaning.
Artwork - this was very lackluster to me - I know that everyone has their preference and style, and this may have intentionally been what the pair of authors wanted, but the artwork did not do anything for me - they seemed more like watercolor paintings, and very little realism and proportions were off on quite a few panels. they also did not add to the story very much, as about half way through I spent more focus on the words over the art, which is not a good thing for a graphic novel.
Story - the story was nothing great either - It did make a change to history, making this an alternate history graphic, but being called CSA I would expect that - and, being that the writer is French I am not surprised at the amount of French influence or characters - the dynamics of the story are very bland though - four pages on a single character, and then four pages on another character is a good pace, and it is set up like a TV show would be, so that part was done well ... except ... it wasn't. The focus changed at weird moments, and I don't feel that there was a real drive to the story, just a spouting of Alternate History facts more then a telling of a tale.
I do not hate this, as it was interesting enough to make me want to finish, but not interesting enough to continue. I feel that the effort is in the pages, but not in the product, if you follow my meaning.
April 4, 2014
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads. It is a graphic novel and the first in a series.
In our world, General Lee ignored the advice he was given and ended up losing the Battle of Gettysburg which lead to the south losing the Civil War. But what if Lee had followed the advice and won at Gettysburg? It could have set a chain of events into motion that would have lead to the Union losing the Civil War instead.
There are plenty of alternative histories stories where the south wins the Civil War. I like that this one keeps as close to real history as possible. Also it doesn't rely on just one event to cause the change in history. There is a junta in Washington causing President Lincoln to be forced out of office and the forces that rise up in response to these events. It also looks at different elements in the Confederacy and how their attitudes on everything from slavery to the proper way to fight the war differ.
The artwork reminds me of portraits from the Civil War era. This can be strange at times because it would be like going to a museum and seeing word bubbles on the paintings. It is also dark in both nature and actuality. At times it is so dark that it is hard to make out details of what is happening.
Another minor complaint is that the over-sized nature of the book makes it awkward to hold.
Overall, this is a nice take on alternative history and exquisitely (if dark at times) illustrated.
In our world, General Lee ignored the advice he was given and ended up losing the Battle of Gettysburg which lead to the south losing the Civil War. But what if Lee had followed the advice and won at Gettysburg? It could have set a chain of events into motion that would have lead to the Union losing the Civil War instead.
There are plenty of alternative histories stories where the south wins the Civil War. I like that this one keeps as close to real history as possible. Also it doesn't rely on just one event to cause the change in history. There is a junta in Washington causing President Lincoln to be forced out of office and the forces that rise up in response to these events. It also looks at different elements in the Confederacy and how their attitudes on everything from slavery to the proper way to fight the war differ.
The artwork reminds me of portraits from the Civil War era. This can be strange at times because it would be like going to a museum and seeing word bubbles on the paintings. It is also dark in both nature and actuality. At times it is so dark that it is hard to make out details of what is happening.
Another minor complaint is that the over-sized nature of the book makes it awkward to hold.
Overall, this is a nice take on alternative history and exquisitely (if dark at times) illustrated.
March 24, 2014
The publisher sent this book directly to me because I'd reviewed the film "CSA" and have used it in a few classes in years past. This graphic novel is nothing like that film beyond the basic and commonly worked with alternative history idea "what if the South won the American Civil War?"
Hard-cover, large pages with a glossy sheen, this book has a mid-19th century feel to it in terms of art, colors, and dialog yet is fast-paced like a modern graphic novel. It slips between several viewpoint characters including military leaders, an educated Northern woman, a black Union soldier, and others and this may be a challenge for some readers but just pay attention to everything you see and read and you should do fine.
In fact if you pay close enough attention you may discover what I did -- this is not simply alternative history but something approaching fantasy or science fiction as well. This "secret" and the characters make me eager to read the next volume in what appears will be a seven book series.
Hard-cover, large pages with a glossy sheen, this book has a mid-19th century feel to it in terms of art, colors, and dialog yet is fast-paced like a modern graphic novel. It slips between several viewpoint characters including military leaders, an educated Northern woman, a black Union soldier, and others and this may be a challenge for some readers but just pay attention to everything you see and read and you should do fine.
In fact if you pay close enough attention you may discover what I did -- this is not simply alternative history but something approaching fantasy or science fiction as well. This "secret" and the characters make me eager to read the next volume in what appears will be a seven book series.
April 13, 2014
I won this book in a Good Reads giveaway.
I thought the idea was interesting and even though I haven't read a comic book in years I liked the book. The art work was good. The story line is complete fantasy, but it is a work of fiction.
I was rather disappointed in some of the dialogue. The Great Lakes region is a big area and specific areas (i.e. Chicago, Detroit, or Cleveland) are more likely to be used. Members of Congress don't disparage each others speeches by using the word "crap".
I was going to loan this to my 7 year old but there is a little too much soldierly swearing.
I thought the idea was interesting and even though I haven't read a comic book in years I liked the book. The art work was good. The story line is complete fantasy, but it is a work of fiction.
I was rather disappointed in some of the dialogue. The Great Lakes region is a big area and specific areas (i.e. Chicago, Detroit, or Cleveland) are more likely to be used. Members of Congress don't disparage each others speeches by using the word "crap".
I was going to loan this to my 7 year old but there is a little too much soldierly swearing.
February 21, 2014
Very interesting premise. I loved the oil painting styled artwork and the characters were interesting as well. I feel though that the layout of the story may have been better suited for a novel with some of these awesome illustrations thrown in here and there. Although I feel that the art style did seem to fall flat for the faces of the characters, leaving them looking overly stoic at times.
But, if you're a fan of American history and non-traditional graphic novels I would definitely suggest checking out Southern Cross
But, if you're a fan of American history and non-traditional graphic novels I would definitely suggest checking out Southern Cross
April 24, 2014
I found this alternate reality to be a most intriguing idea and enjoyable storyline. Having met the author, his perspective as an outside objective observer I found refreshing. The author is French and has tried to review our history objectively not taking any particular side over another, realizing that the war of the states had many facets on both sides.
If you enjoy history, and alternate universes, this story is for you.
If you enjoy history, and alternate universes, this story is for you.
April 5, 2014
I received this book from the goodreads first reads program. An interesting premise laying out what would have been different had the South won the War. It was a little hard to follow until I got used to the format, but I am sure to recommend this one to my friends and family.
April 23, 2014
can't wait too get the rest of the series
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews