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Shiloh Legacy #1
In My Father's House
Max Meyer, a Jew from New York, Ellis Warne, a doctor's son, Birch Tucker, an Arkansas farmer, and Jefferson Canfield, the son of a Black sharecropper, return from World War I with changed expectations
430 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
115 people are currently reading
1967 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
205 books1,371 followersBODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
August 15, 2019
While there's lots of historical fiction in the Christian literature genre, the Thoenes' books have always stood out to me as being the cream of the crop. Prior to reading this, it had been a while since I'd read anything of theirs that I hadn't before; now, I'm reminded of why I've considered them among my favorite authors for quite a while. Fans of historical fiction should check this out.
(However, I do want to issue a caution: Despite this being a Christian novel, language is an issue here; not only is there at least one profane usage of the h-word, but the n-word and other racial slurs appear repeatedly. That may have been common back in the time this story took place, but, through a modern lens, it could be disturbing to some readers. If such epithets bother you even in a historical setting, you probably should read something else.)
(However, I do want to issue a caution: Despite this being a Christian novel, language is an issue here; not only is there at least one profane usage of the h-word, but the n-word and other racial slurs appear repeatedly. That may have been common back in the time this story took place, but, through a modern lens, it could be disturbing to some readers. If such epithets bother you even in a historical setting, you probably should read something else.)
October 4, 2008
I really, really liked this book. It was like the best of both worlds for me. Great history (accurate too) and really interesting characters. At first I thought it was going to be kinda slow since I wasn't too interested in this time in history. But it was just the opposite, very captivating and really made the history of the 1920's post WWI come alive. I enjoyed following all of the characters through their conflicts and will definitely read more by this author.
June 18, 2020
The Thoenes' books are a great part of my teenage years. I read them often, and I loved each character that they focused on. I remember reading this series about 20 years ago and really enjoying it. I was very hesitant to pick it back up since I have changed radically in those 20 years. I went from being ultra conservative to a pretty far left liberal. I wasn't sure how these books who stood tall in my memories would stand up to my beliefs today. I was amazed and surprised how much this book resonated with today's struggle for equality for all. The protesters today could read these pages as if they were current events. That is the sad truth. The Thoenes were writing about the early twentieth century, and we still haven't come any closer to respect for our fellow human beings. Racial inequality and prejudice, not to mention hatred, is being fanned by prominent people in our society. It was wrong for the 1920s, and it is equally, if not more so, wrong today.
January 13, 2011
"In My Father's House" is a historical set in 1918 in France and in America at the end of WWI and right after it. The historical details woven into the story brought alive the Western Front and the social turmoil occurring in America as the soldiers returned. The characters were complex and realistic, and they dealt with realistic troubles (which came by the handful!). While the story wasn't depressing in the way of some I've been reading, it does have a lot of bad things happen to nice people and the story ends on a sad note.
The suspense was high throughout the story, and it was created by deadly physical danger to the "good guy" characters and by relationship tensions (both romantic and social). Though the story wasn't fast-paced, this was mainly due to the large number of characters. The author switched between them to show how the different social groups (blacks, Jews, immigrants, etc.) were effected by the social turmoil of the time. Sometimes the author's transitions were abrupt; we'd leave one set of characters in a situation where things looked like they're getting worse, and when we come back to them, we discover that things went fine after that...until now.
Though we have Jews, Catholics, and Protestants in the story, only one character ("Preacher") seemed to view his religion as more than a social thing. Preacher (who was black) did give a couple short sermons, but they were in context of the oppression the blacks were facing. They flowed naturally in the story and weren't sermons directed toward the reader.
I don't recall any bad language. There was no explicit sex. I'd recommend this novel to those who like historical fiction.
The suspense was high throughout the story, and it was created by deadly physical danger to the "good guy" characters and by relationship tensions (both romantic and social). Though the story wasn't fast-paced, this was mainly due to the large number of characters. The author switched between them to show how the different social groups (blacks, Jews, immigrants, etc.) were effected by the social turmoil of the time. Sometimes the author's transitions were abrupt; we'd leave one set of characters in a situation where things looked like they're getting worse, and when we come back to them, we discover that things went fine after that...until now.
Though we have Jews, Catholics, and Protestants in the story, only one character ("Preacher") seemed to view his religion as more than a social thing. Preacher (who was black) did give a couple short sermons, but they were in context of the oppression the blacks were facing. They flowed naturally in the story and weren't sermons directed toward the reader.
I don't recall any bad language. There was no explicit sex. I'd recommend this novel to those who like historical fiction.
January 10, 2014
This was a decent, easy read though definitely not one of my favorites in general or specifically by Bodie and Brock Thoene.
The complicated prose flowed well and created a somewhat coherent story. However, it was that same complicated nature that worked against the narrative throughout the book. To put it simply, the Thoenes wanted to tell the story of far too many characters. As a consequence, they could not go very deep into the make-up and development of any one character. Issues were rather hit and miss. Some got addressed a second or third time. Most were mentioned once and then not developed until the second book. (If one stopped reading the series at just the first book there would be a lot of unanswered questions.)
I like it well enough to keep it in my collection for now. I can't really give it a strong recommendation though. Perhaps the other books in the series will make me change my mind one way or the other.
The complicated prose flowed well and created a somewhat coherent story. However, it was that same complicated nature that worked against the narrative throughout the book. To put it simply, the Thoenes wanted to tell the story of far too many characters. As a consequence, they could not go very deep into the make-up and development of any one character. Issues were rather hit and miss. Some got addressed a second or third time. Most were mentioned once and then not developed until the second book. (If one stopped reading the series at just the first book there would be a lot of unanswered questions.)
I like it well enough to keep it in my collection for now. I can't really give it a strong recommendation though. Perhaps the other books in the series will make me change my mind one way or the other.
June 30, 2011
This is Christian historical fiction starting with WWI where Ellis, Max, Birch, and then Jefferson come into the picture as war buddies. Jefferson is black and yet is honored as a war hero. But the Klu Klux Klan is in full swing and all three books take him through the racism troubles. Each of the main characters has his own troubles, but they intertwine in interesting ways. I really came to care about these people and their families and concerns as they wend their way through the stock market crash. It is centered mainly in Arkansas and Ohio, with a little dabbling into New York. There's a mob boss and wicked factory owners who add concern to the safety of all. I wasn't bothered by the heavy "Praise the Lord" factor because these people are from the South and that's part of who they are. My only concern is that I had to read 3 books to get the whole story!
September 20, 2017
I was a bit surprised about this book. One of my "bookclub ladies" choose it. I was expecting a light novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This is a historical fiction, beginning with WWI. Great character development, good story line, etc. I am anxious to read the other 2 on my own!
This is the first book in a trilogy.
This is the first book in a trilogy.
November 3, 2017
I enjoyed this well written book by Ms. Thoene. It has all the elements I so enjoy in a book, great story, some American history, strong and lively characters, and easy to read writing flow.
This book was written 25 years ago about a time that was 100 years ago and, sadly, goes to prove that not much has changed in our society. There are still bigots as there were then, still racists, still cruel people, still dirty politics, still people coming back from war disrespected, and hypocrisy is alive and well. Have we learned nothing?
Some of the good characters of this book were Trudy, the young schoolteacher, and her kindness and grit, Willa-Mae and her brood of young-uns, the four returning veterans from the Great War, and more.
There are two more books in this Shiloh series which I hope to read. It’ll be a little while before I get to them, however, as this reminder of our human frailties was a little saddening for me.
This book was written 25 years ago about a time that was 100 years ago and, sadly, goes to prove that not much has changed in our society. There are still bigots as there were then, still racists, still cruel people, still dirty politics, still people coming back from war disrespected, and hypocrisy is alive and well. Have we learned nothing?
Some of the good characters of this book were Trudy, the young schoolteacher, and her kindness and grit, Willa-Mae and her brood of young-uns, the four returning veterans from the Great War, and more.
There are two more books in this Shiloh series which I hope to read. It’ll be a little while before I get to them, however, as this reminder of our human frailties was a little saddening for me.
March 15, 2024
Four soldiers return home after WWI, to find their country in turmoil. The intolerance of
the black population is widespread and hate is evident against those who are different from the majority in culture and religion. Throughout the book, the tension builds as the soldiers face tragedy and horror. I think that one of the marks of a good book is how it grabs the readers' emotions and causes their hearts to pound in anticipation of what comes next. This book meets that criteria. I look forward to reading books two and three in the series.
the black population is widespread and hate is evident against those who are different from the majority in culture and religion. Throughout the book, the tension builds as the soldiers face tragedy and horror. I think that one of the marks of a good book is how it grabs the readers' emotions and causes their hearts to pound in anticipation of what comes next. This book meets that criteria. I look forward to reading books two and three in the series.
March 2, 2025
The thing that struck me most about this book was that the authors wrote it in the 90s, but it could have been written today. The setting is the end of World War I to 1920. Why do we never learn from history? Why do we keep trying to separate people based on color, wealth, religion, politics, or class? What gives us the right?! As always, the Thoenes’ writing and historical research is top notch. I’m glad this is a trilogy because these characters are sticking with me.
December 16, 2023
4 1/2 stars. Such a well written reminder of history
July 5, 2019
This author is excellent at digging into the thoughts and emotions of her characters while keeping the action rolling. The reader can feel the anguish of a distinctive as the characters recon with old prejudices and hopes of a new world without them in a world where their reality is inescapable and horrible.
January 10, 2008
Today is my Christian fiction day! This was another must read for a Christian heart. What I love about this series (and Karon's Mitford) is that people live the lives of Christians through the normal and hard times. That is character! This series is also a must read for anyone from AR. It was a joy to feel like I was at home again. Sorrow comes to me knowing that bigots were so numerous during WW1. But it speaks volumes that this little town was above all that and just loved their neighbors!
June 1, 2016
Well written historical novel about life in America after World War I. Thought provoking presentation of how racial and religious hatred existed at that time, especially in the south with the Ku Klux Klan. The way the author allows the reader to follow four returning soldiers and ties their lives together is excellently done. Since this is the first of three books in the “The Shiloh Legacy”, I can’t wait to find what happens to these fantastic characters.
January 3, 2011
Slow beginning and the writing is a bit loose in places, but genuine characters and excellent pacing pull it together nicely.
October 12, 2012
I read this years ago and it is a FAVORITE! I wish they wrote more in this series!
November 16, 2019
This historical novel is based on the stories of the authors two grandmothers about their lives during WWI and in the period after. I could NOT put it down! The characters were so true and well-drawn, and the story carried one along like the train that brought the soldiers back to Arkansas from New York after the war. When the book begins the men who fight alongside one another in France are bonded deeply by the strain and terrors of the war and by the heroism. Max Meyer is from the poor Orchard Street section of New York and is of German descent; Ellis Warne is the son of an Irish doctor in Ohio; Birch Tucker is an Arkansas farm boy with a painful past; Jefferson Canfield is the huge black sharecropper's son who won the Legion of Merit. They were brothers-in-arms but when they return home they are part of the country in turmoil and strife and find they are no longer considered equal to their countrymen. The bigotry of that period rises to destroy their lives and the lives of those who love them. This is a story of pain and loss in the face of division and suspicion. It was so timely reading this during our own time of division in this country when people cannot accept one another's differences, and live in harmony and acceptance. The book was so well written, I loved every page and kept turning each one to find out what would happen next. It's a truly beautiful book, and one I highly recommend! There is a second one of this "series" and I plan to read it soon. Apparently, Bodie and Brock Thoene, the authors, have written dozens of books of historical fiction, and have won countless awards.
October 2, 2021
I pulled this one off of a bookshelf when recommending more reading for a recently converted Christian. I decided to keep this one out and reread it because I didn't remember anything important about it.
Now I am only critical of one thing. Why do a prologue with the Battle of Britain in 1940 when the timeline of the book is World War 1 and the immediate time following? The book was well written and kept me raging, laughing, and crying at turns throughout. How people can be so hateful and divided and claiming to love a loving God that would never tolerate such behavior? Everything in this book is a correct historical reference, the characters are of course fictional but were developed to illustrate the interactions in society for different ethnicities, nationalities, religions, and other cultural anomalies. The neighborhoods of New York are echoed across the country, and even today some 100 years later there is still intolerance of people of color, especially in the southern United States.
Now I am only critical of one thing. Why do a prologue with the Battle of Britain in 1940 when the timeline of the book is World War 1 and the immediate time following? The book was well written and kept me raging, laughing, and crying at turns throughout. How people can be so hateful and divided and claiming to love a loving God that would never tolerate such behavior? Everything in this book is a correct historical reference, the characters are of course fictional but were developed to illustrate the interactions in society for different ethnicities, nationalities, religions, and other cultural anomalies. The neighborhoods of New York are echoed across the country, and even today some 100 years later there is still intolerance of people of color, especially in the southern United States.
April 20, 2019
Four American men meet in France during WWI. The first part of the book is a war setting, and although well written, moves rather slowly and the cast of characters is large which takes effort to figure out whose who and how everyone is related. After returning home at the end of the war, the story continues with the life after war of the four soldiers. The narrative switches back and forth among the four and their families, the cast of characters grows considerably and following all of them requires diligence. I grew to care about two of the soldiers and two not so much. With so much going on with so many characters, I just didn’t get to know two of them as well as the others.
I enjoyed the timing of the historical setting which painted a clear picture of the different prejudices and the cultural differences in our nation. I would like to read the other two books in this series. This book was written in 1992 but is one of the better written books I have ever read.
I enjoyed the timing of the historical setting which painted a clear picture of the different prejudices and the cultural differences in our nation. I would like to read the other two books in this series. This book was written in 1992 but is one of the better written books I have ever read.
August 2, 2024
Probably 3 1/2 stars
Ellis+Rebecca=⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👏👏👏👏 perfect except for sweet Becky is a little cringy…
Birch+Trudy=⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Birch is amazing. He fell in love with Trudy’s thoughts and words (thanks to Max’s letters) before he ever even saw her.
Lost one star for Birch’s little “I can’t provide for her so she’s better off without me” moment that never really got addressed😐
Max+Irene=?????
What is actually happening?! Toxic or true?! I’m getting low-key pig vibes from Max…but I could be wrong.
Jefferson+Latisha= RIP Tish😢
And surprisingly I am left actually wondering where he is (something that almost never happens)
Aside from all the lovey dovey stuff I found myself ACTUALLY LIKING the war parts (again, something that rarely happens with historical fiction). I think it may have been because it was the soldiers actually having conversations and not just descriptions of the battle.
Ellis+Rebecca=⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👏👏👏👏 perfect except for sweet Becky is a little cringy…
Birch+Trudy=⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Birch is amazing. He fell in love with Trudy’s thoughts and words (thanks to Max’s letters) before he ever even saw her.
Lost one star for Birch’s little “I can’t provide for her so she’s better off without me” moment that never really got addressed😐
Max+Irene=?????
What is actually happening?! Toxic or true?! I’m getting low-key pig vibes from Max…but I could be wrong.
Jefferson+Latisha= RIP Tish😢
And surprisingly I am left actually wondering where he is (something that almost never happens)
Aside from all the lovey dovey stuff I found myself ACTUALLY LIKING the war parts (again, something that rarely happens with historical fiction). I think it may have been because it was the soldiers actually having conversations and not just descriptions of the battle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
Returning to the group portrait style of storytelling that was so successful in the Zion Covenant series, the author introduces us to four families at the close of World War I. These include black sharecroppers, Irish immigrants, Jewish tenement dwellers in New York City, and Arkansas farmers. Each family is welcoming a soldier home from the trenches, and all must wrestle with the ways they and the American nation have--or have not--changed while they were away fighting.
The depth of character portrayed among the characters is wonderful and captures the imagination and heart like nothing else can. Even as the soldiers and their families face mounting challenges, readers won't want to put the book down.
The depth of character portrayed among the characters is wonderful and captures the imagination and heart like nothing else can. Even as the soldiers and their families face mounting challenges, readers won't want to put the book down.
June 17, 2019
I absolutely LOVED the majority of this book — it was a very well put together, accurate, and interesting story. I was loaned this book by someone from my church, as this is not something I would normally read, but I thought I would give it a try because the owner and several others had really enjoyed the series. Unfortunately, though, I did not finish this book. I stopped reading at page 362 due to very inappropriate content. I would have loved to finish this book and continue the series if it were not for this content that I did not feel comfortable reading as a Christian teenager.
November 7, 2020
Warning for sensitive readers - violence (which fits properly in the story) Many uses of the word nigger (reflective of the time and place). Anti-Jewish statements (presented as prejudice)
The story of 4 young men who are connected thru the Great War, and the trials they face when they return to the U.S. Interesting look at that time period. Mostly dealing w/ a lot of negative difficult, even devastating, situations and attitudes. But most of the characters are upright, faithful people, giving hope for progression in their communities.
The story of 4 young men who are connected thru the Great War, and the trials they face when they return to the U.S. Interesting look at that time period. Mostly dealing w/ a lot of negative difficult, even devastating, situations and attitudes. But most of the characters are upright, faithful people, giving hope for progression in their communities.
August 3, 2022
I’ve read this series before but it’s been quite awhile. With all the race issues plaguing our nation today, this is a good series to remind us of our awful history so it doesn’t get repeated. This book puts faces and people and families to history. Reading about “the Klan” it’s not nearly as effective as feeling the emotion of who the Klan hurt and killed. Emotional book, from start to finish. But as usual, so well written! Found myself researching some of the events mentioned, learning more history.
May 5, 2024
Having read many WW1 and WW2 I didn’t expect what I felt in this book. Had not read the blurb describing this book very well. Reading it caused deep uncomfortable feelings. It is easier to read a book when you know the good guys vs the bad guys. When the hatred, prejudice and racism is in our own land than, as it is now, it is detestation to read about.
Having lived not far from a “Sundowner” town in SE Texas I believe in what she wrote of the violence and bigotry of the KKK. It is a blight on ‘the land of the free…’.
Rated this as four star due to the quality of writing and characters.
Having lived not far from a “Sundowner” town in SE Texas I believe in what she wrote of the violence and bigotry of the KKK. It is a blight on ‘the land of the free…’.
Rated this as four star due to the quality of writing and characters.
November 16, 2025
- Great, wholesome read
- Was hard to initially get into because of all of the rotating points of view, but once it picked up I was into it. On that same note, because the POV's were switching so much it was hard for me to fully get invested in the story because there were story lines I liked more than others.
- We <3 Trudy, our schoolteacher queen.
- This book high key left me on a cliffhanger. Also, was not expecting it to end the way that it did.
- Deals with a lot of racial tensions that took place after the First World War.
- Was hard to initially get into because of all of the rotating points of view, but once it picked up I was into it. On that same note, because the POV's were switching so much it was hard for me to fully get invested in the story because there were story lines I liked more than others.
- We <3 Trudy, our schoolteacher queen.
- This book high key left me on a cliffhanger. Also, was not expecting it to end the way that it did.
- Deals with a lot of racial tensions that took place after the First World War.
April 29, 2019
Set at the end of WW1 the armistice and the coming home of 4 main characters and how they each face the challenges of life after battle, and how one Jefferson Canfield has to deal with the oppressive racism back in Arkansas. When reading this book written almost 30 years ago and set 100 years ago I was struck by the irony that while many things have changed, the need for Christ is still the same for the hearts of man are still wicked and deceptive. It was a very good read.
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April 17, 2020I love all Bodie Thoene books, for their historical fiction and this was no different. I haven't read a whole lot of books revolving around World War I or in this case the ending of WWI so this was something different for me. I loved the characters and how involved you get with them, I also love the Christian aspect of these books. It is a great read and I can't wait to read the rest in the series!
December 28, 2021
This book follows the lives of four young soldiers and their families through WWI in France, their return home to the States, and racism in the American South. God works through tragedy and pain to build a faith that moves mountains. There are enjoyable, realistic characters that tie into other Thoene series. This book leaves you "hanging" and leads directly to the next in the Shiloh Legacy Series. I really enjoyed it!
April 26, 2022
I had pegged this series as war books, not sure why, but that’s not it at all. It starts at the end of WWI and follows the main soldier characters home with all the baggage that entails - which ends up focusing on interactions with the KKK, bigotry and rascism. Pretty horrible to read about. But the characters are very likable in distinct ways, and their stories mostly joined satisfyingly at the end. I’ll keep going with this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews