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Gray Victory
In this speculative historical novel, the South wins the Civil War, and Salmon Brown, the surviving son of abolitionist John Brown, leads a group of abolitionists on an attack to wipe out the Confederate leaders and force a return to war
378 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 29, 2018
Robert Skimin’s alternate history novel is built around an amusing conceit: two years after George McClellan’s victory in the 1864 presidential election leads to independence for the Confederacy, the incessant rehashing of Jeb Stuart’s conduct in the battle of Gettysburg leads Jefferson Davis to convene a court of inquiry to settle the matter once and for all, thus allowing generals of both the real and armchair variety to rehash the conflict. For a group of Northern abolitionists training as terrorists, the venue is too tempting a target to ignore, and they plan a spectacular event that they believe will restart the war and achieve for good the postponed emancipation of the slaves.
Though Skimin’s novel starts out slowly, over time it develops it an enjoyable read. The basic denouement is predictable enough, yet Skimin proves more than able enough to keep the suspense mounting as to the details of the outcome. While he identifies Joseph E. Johnston’s continuation of command of the defense of Atlanta as his point of divergence, there really are two – the other being Jeb Stuart’s surviving the pistol shot received at the battle of Yellow Tavern, which gives him a rich and flamboyant personality around which to construct his novel. Yet his shrewdest decision was to focus the remainder of his narrative on second-tier historical figures, men such as John Mosby and John Rawlins, which gives himself more latitude in developing them as he sees fit. The result is a good read, and one of the better contributions to the famous “what-if” genre of Civil War alternate history.
Though Skimin’s novel starts out slowly, over time it develops it an enjoyable read. The basic denouement is predictable enough, yet Skimin proves more than able enough to keep the suspense mounting as to the details of the outcome. While he identifies Joseph E. Johnston’s continuation of command of the defense of Atlanta as his point of divergence, there really are two – the other being Jeb Stuart’s surviving the pistol shot received at the battle of Yellow Tavern, which gives him a rich and flamboyant personality around which to construct his novel. Yet his shrewdest decision was to focus the remainder of his narrative on second-tier historical figures, men such as John Mosby and John Rawlins, which gives himself more latitude in developing them as he sees fit. The result is a good read, and one of the better contributions to the famous “what-if” genre of Civil War alternate history.
October 30, 2012
This book held my intrest the whole time. Very tense alternative history.
January 6, 2018
Review of “Gray Victory” by Robert Skimin
This is an “alternate history” novel where the South won the war in late 1864. The divergence occurred because George McClellan had been elected president over Abe Lincoln and immediately sued for an armistice. It is now two years after the Armistice, and Jefferson Davis is coming up for re-election.
Among all the politicking are the two main stories of this novel. The first is the trial of JEB Stuart for causing the loss at Gettysburg because he had gone on an unauthorized raid and therefore wasn’t around to scout for Lee on the first two days of battle. Stuart’s dereliction trial is a stand in for the anti-Davis faction attack of Davis’ conduct of the War and its aftermath.
The second story is the underground movement to free the remaining slaves in the Confederacy. Many of the Negros who lost their masters or “helped” with the war had been manumitted (freed). But there were still four million slaves in the new country. Slavery was making the Confederacy a “pariah” among nations. Two groups were “vying” for the loyalty of the slave movement, and extreme group called “Amistad” and a moderate one called “Abraham”.
Like all Alt-History, the premise is set-up by the author to make a point as to the problems (or solutions) caused by the divergence. Skimin’s premise is an original one as to the Stuart Trial, but that’s where the interesting part ended for me. There is way too much pandering to the cost of “honor” among the winners, and most of the characters are cardboard cutouts. You can see the ending from about page 5, and the introduction of romances among the characters is juvenile and puerile.
Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog@blogspot.com zebsblog@gmail.com
This is an “alternate history” novel where the South won the war in late 1864. The divergence occurred because George McClellan had been elected president over Abe Lincoln and immediately sued for an armistice. It is now two years after the Armistice, and Jefferson Davis is coming up for re-election.
Among all the politicking are the two main stories of this novel. The first is the trial of JEB Stuart for causing the loss at Gettysburg because he had gone on an unauthorized raid and therefore wasn’t around to scout for Lee on the first two days of battle. Stuart’s dereliction trial is a stand in for the anti-Davis faction attack of Davis’ conduct of the War and its aftermath.
The second story is the underground movement to free the remaining slaves in the Confederacy. Many of the Negros who lost their masters or “helped” with the war had been manumitted (freed). But there were still four million slaves in the new country. Slavery was making the Confederacy a “pariah” among nations. Two groups were “vying” for the loyalty of the slave movement, and extreme group called “Amistad” and a moderate one called “Abraham”.
Like all Alt-History, the premise is set-up by the author to make a point as to the problems (or solutions) caused by the divergence. Skimin’s premise is an original one as to the Stuart Trial, but that’s where the interesting part ended for me. There is way too much pandering to the cost of “honor” among the winners, and most of the characters are cardboard cutouts. You can see the ending from about page 5, and the introduction of romances among the characters is juvenile and puerile.
Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog@blogspot.com zebsblog@gmail.com
February 21, 2020
An excellent alternative history in which the Confederacy wins the American Civil War. This compelling story deals more with the events subsequent to that victory than with the war itself. The characters are finely drawn, the plotting is carefully instructed and the alternative history is entirely credible. A most enjoyable read.
March 23, 2013
Suppose J.E.B. Stuart Survives his wounds at Yellow Tavern, McClellan beats Lincoln in the 1864 Election. The South wins thier indepence And the Confederacy doesnt abolish Slavery. also JEB Stuart is having to appear in front of a Military Court of Inquiry For his actions at Gettysburg Blaming him for losing this epic battle. This is a great what if, Basically the evil of slavery will implode the CSA and that outside forces feed the fire. This is a wonderful book of Fiction w/ Historical Characters W/fictitous ones. I reallry wished the book was longer, I have a feeling of emptiness
November 28, 2007
Alternative fiction contemplating a Confederate victory in 1865, and a court martial for J.E.B. Stuart for his failure to appear on time in Gettysburg, thus causing the war to drag on for two more years. It drags a bit in the middle, but the premise is very interesting and as a fan of alternative fiction, I was ready for the experience.
May 15, 2016
A wonderful look at an alternate history and how the country may have been had the south won the Civil War.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews