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Mother Earth, Bloody Ground: A Novel Of The Civil War And What Might Have Been
As Part Two of the Stonewall Goes West trilogy, Mother Earth, Bloody Ground continues to answer the greatest “what if?” of the Civil what if Stonewall Jackson had survived the Battle of Chancellorsville? Through a combination of misdirection and audacious aggression, Jackson led the hard luck Army of Tennessee to its first real victory of the war at Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, but that was only the beginning of his campaign against the Northern armies under William Tecumseh Sherman. With Sherman organizing a reinforced army in Nashville, and George Thomas still poised to invade Georgia, Jackson must adapt his strategy and find a way to permanently liberate the “Mother Earth” of Middle Tennessee. While generals like Patrick Cleburne, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and A.P. Stewart prove reliable, others like Leonidas Polk continue to vex Jackson’s efforts. Meanwhile, Sherman must contend with sniping politicians from above and a scheming Joe Hooker from below as he works to hurl Jackson’s army back into Alabama and continue his drive on Atlanta. What ensues across the early and mid-summer of 1864 is a colossal struggle pitting two of the Civil War’s greatest generals, Sherman and Jackson, against each other. The outcome will decide the fate of Middle Tennessee, and with it the course of a Civil War destined to be changed in unforeseen ways.
- GenresFictionAlternate History
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2014
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
R.E. Thomas
2 books12 followersR.E. Thomas is the Managing Editor of The Whiskey Reviewer, a freelance boxing and travel writer, and holds degrees in history and international relations. He has previously published a book about Port wine, and "Stonewall Goes West" is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 13, 2017
The stage is set for a major confrontation, September 11, 2016
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Mother Earth, Bloody Ground: A Novel Of The Civil War And What Might Have Been (Stonewall Goes West Trilogy Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
Just as with the first volume, STONEWALL GOES WEST, the writing style is more akin to a book of military history than to a character driven novel. Mr. Thomas has done careful research to achieve a believable book of alternate history. No decisive, war ending action occurs in this volume but the stage is now set for a major confrontation in the west, probably in Tennessee. In Georgia, the dawdling Hardee is leaving to be replaced by General Richard Taylor of the Red River campaign. Now if Jackson can just do something with the scheming "Fighting Bishop" Polk. I look forward to the next volume.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Mother Earth, Bloody Ground: A Novel Of The Civil War And What Might Have Been (Stonewall Goes West Trilogy Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
Just as with the first volume, STONEWALL GOES WEST, the writing style is more akin to a book of military history than to a character driven novel. Mr. Thomas has done careful research to achieve a believable book of alternate history. No decisive, war ending action occurs in this volume but the stage is now set for a major confrontation in the west, probably in Tennessee. In Georgia, the dawdling Hardee is leaving to be replaced by General Richard Taylor of the Red River campaign. Now if Jackson can just do something with the scheming "Fighting Bishop" Polk. I look forward to the next volume.
September 29, 2017
Excellent reading
Mr.Thomas...bravo! This book reads as near to a historical military history as any I have read on the War Between the States. The tactics, strategy and commanders are realistic as well as exciting. I shall be more than happy to wait upon the next chapter of Stonewall's new legacy. Thank you for such an enjoyable book. Soldier on!
Mr.Thomas...bravo! This book reads as near to a historical military history as any I have read on the War Between the States. The tactics, strategy and commanders are realistic as well as exciting. I shall be more than happy to wait upon the next chapter of Stonewall's new legacy. Thank you for such an enjoyable book. Soldier on!
July 17, 2014
As any good sequel does, Thomas has upped the ante in Mother Earth, Bloody Ground, continuing the existing story while adding new elements.
Stonewall Jackson is in Middle Tennessee, his plan a partial success. Because it is only partial, he must adjust to meet the facts that George Thomas is driving on Atlanta and Sherman has put together a new army to face him in Nashville. The result is a mid-summer of action that draws parallels to so many things that really happened in the Civil War, adding to the sense of realism.
For those that felt the first book was too Rebel-centered, the Union comes to share the center stage here. Sherman is a much larger character, Abraham Lincoln and Joe Hooker come in, and a Pennsylvania cavalryman is added to join the Grimes brothers in telling the "common soldier" angle of the story.
As the Empire Strikes Back was in every way one step better than Star Wars, so this book takes Stonewall Goes West up a notch while going forward. If you liked the first book, you'll love this one.
Stonewall Jackson is in Middle Tennessee, his plan a partial success. Because it is only partial, he must adjust to meet the facts that George Thomas is driving on Atlanta and Sherman has put together a new army to face him in Nashville. The result is a mid-summer of action that draws parallels to so many things that really happened in the Civil War, adding to the sense of realism.
For those that felt the first book was too Rebel-centered, the Union comes to share the center stage here. Sherman is a much larger character, Abraham Lincoln and Joe Hooker come in, and a Pennsylvania cavalryman is added to join the Grimes brothers in telling the "common soldier" angle of the story.
As the Empire Strikes Back was in every way one step better than Star Wars, so this book takes Stonewall Goes West up a notch while going forward. If you liked the first book, you'll love this one.
December 17, 2014
Top Notch alternate Civil War history. So much so, that as I was reading Jeff Shaara's The Smoke at Dawn, which covers the same western campaign as Thomas's book, I had to stop and think which was the real history. The characterizations seem spot on. I do not believe Stonewall Jackson was a man you wanted to really get to know, but Thomas ably balances the tactician/strategist with the man beneath the military mind to make Jackson very real and interesting. Sherman as well is well portrayed.
I have not read much about Patrick Cleburne, and as such this book is bringing him, and several other lesser known Confederate and Union leaders to life for me.
The action rocks, with Jackson driving the differences between this alternate take on the western campaigns, and he keeps everything close to his own counsel, which makes a puzzle for the reader to figure out as well
Wish the third volume was out, will have to make sure not to miss it when it hits hopefully next year. This was the second volume of a trilogy
I have not read much about Patrick Cleburne, and as such this book is bringing him, and several other lesser known Confederate and Union leaders to life for me.
The action rocks, with Jackson driving the differences between this alternate take on the western campaigns, and he keeps everything close to his own counsel, which makes a puzzle for the reader to figure out as well
Wish the third volume was out, will have to make sure not to miss it when it hits hopefully next year. This was the second volume of a trilogy
September 21, 2014
A good balance between history and story
There is a need in a book like this to carefully balance the details with the story. Too many facts and boring details and it reads like a logistical report too few and it doesn't feel authentic. I like the balance although I could use a study guide sometimes (the website was helpful). Not being familiar with the territory I was really confused so going online for the maps was very helpful.
What I have not figured out is the strategic import of these what if scenarios.How would these developments in the west have effected the overall course of the war. I am not a Civil War enthusiast such that I can take the stories here and posit the new strategic possibilities. The author hints at some but has not solidly proposed what he feels would happen. This is not a complaint just a comment and perhaps a hint.
There is a need in a book like this to carefully balance the details with the story. Too many facts and boring details and it reads like a logistical report too few and it doesn't feel authentic. I like the balance although I could use a study guide sometimes (the website was helpful). Not being familiar with the territory I was really confused so going online for the maps was very helpful.
What I have not figured out is the strategic import of these what if scenarios.How would these developments in the west have effected the overall course of the war. I am not a Civil War enthusiast such that I can take the stories here and posit the new strategic possibilities. The author hints at some but has not solidly proposed what he feels would happen. This is not a complaint just a comment and perhaps a hint.
February 9, 2017
good follow on
Having thoroughly enjoyed "Stonewall Goes West" I eagerly looked forward to this book. I have to say, the location details and description, and the characters are fully fleshed out, the plot is realistic and the resolution plausible. However, it didn't hold my interest as the prior book did.
Still worth the read, but a bit draggy.
Having thoroughly enjoyed "Stonewall Goes West" I eagerly looked forward to this book. I have to say, the location details and description, and the characters are fully fleshed out, the plot is realistic and the resolution plausible. However, it didn't hold my interest as the prior book did.
Still worth the read, but a bit draggy.
October 13, 2014
Great Civil War Novel
The author has written a very believable novel about the Confederate Army of Tennessee being commanded by Stonewall Jackson. the alternative history divergence point is Jackson surviving his wounds after Chancellorsville. I am an Army combat veteran and avid student of the Civil War, and the author has done a magnificent job of capturing men at war. He has created a what if scenario that keeps you turning pages. Well done.
The author has written a very believable novel about the Confederate Army of Tennessee being commanded by Stonewall Jackson. the alternative history divergence point is Jackson surviving his wounds after Chancellorsville. I am an Army combat veteran and avid student of the Civil War, and the author has done a magnificent job of capturing men at war. He has created a what if scenario that keeps you turning pages. Well done.
September 20, 2015
Second book in the trilogy about Stonewall Jackson taking over the Confederate armies in the West in 1864.
I really like the way the author have developed the relationship between Jackson and Forrest. Two commanders who while very dissimilar have the same mindset when it comes to military action.
Unfortunately the third and final volume isn't due until 2016.
DRAT
I really like the way the author have developed the relationship between Jackson and Forrest. Two commanders who while very dissimilar have the same mindset when it comes to military action.
Unfortunately the third and final volume isn't due until 2016.
DRAT
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews