Shiloh

The Civil War Battle Series #2

by James Reasoner

As the Civil War sweeps across the country, a Confederate tells of intrigue and adventure at Shiloh, the bloodiest battle in Tennessee.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Fiction, American Civil War, Historical, Military Fiction, War

362 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad plotline and liked the characters, but the bad characters were a little too fundamentally "bad", and the main characters a bit too lionized. Real issue with the book is the title, as the scene and setting isn't located at Pittsburg Landing until page 333 of this 360 page book. Was expecting a great deal more account of the actual battle of Shiloh, and this book depicts Fort Henry and Fort Donelson with equal billing. Actually, this book is more characterized as a fiction set in the setting of Mississippi riverboat culture, events and scenery. If it'd been named something else, would be a B.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great second book of the series, this story follows the path chosen by a second brother. Every new book pulls you further into the Brannon family dynamic. Even if you don't believe in the South's cause, you want this family to succeed through their hardships - and even in battle.

[Diana Maculan · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book in the Civil War Battle Series. This is a good follow up to the first book Manassas, in which we became familiar with the Brannon family of Culpepper County, Virginia. In that book, at the end eldest son Will joined the Confederate Army. In this 2nd book, we follow the life of youngest son Cory who had gone west, seeking fortune and adventure. Even though, he doesn’t achieve the first, he does find the second. While working on the docks of New Madrid, he is helped by Captain Zeke Farrell, later returning the favor and becoming a crewmember aboard the riverboat, the Missouri Zephyr. They sail the Mississippi down to New Orleans, during which time Cory learns how to navigate the river. He also becomes close to the lovely Lucille Farrell. However, adventure turns to trouble as the Cory and the others find themselves in the middle of the Civil War’s Western Theatre barely getting through the Union Ironclads, while escaping towards the Confederate Forts Henry and Donelson. Little do they know that Union General Grant has those forts in his sights, and thus the battle quickly reaches them. Even though not enlisted, Cory finds himself fighting at the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson and later further south at Shiloh itself. This book offers a lot of adventure, some romance (Cory and Lucille) and an interesting insight into the feelings of southerners during the Civil War. My only criticism (perhaps too strong of a word) is that (as in the first book), the actual battle being highlighted, in this case Shiloh, is only part of a few chapters- not more than 25 or so pages. In a few chapters, we also follow what is happening with remaining family members back home in Culpepper County and the last chapter sets up the storyline of Mac Brannon with the idea of joining the Cavalry as a lead in to the 3rd book. Enjoying the series and look forward to the next installment.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of the Brannon family, with the exception of Titus' story line which was hard. However, the historical context of the series had a strong undertone of lost cause mythology.

I stumbled across this series when I learned my second great-grandfather was wounded fighting for the Union at Chickamauga. I enjoy learning history through stories (ala James Mitchener) so I checked out Reasoner's book about that battle, not realizing it was book seven in a 10-book series. Having been hooked by the story of the greater Brannon family, of course I had to read the entire series.

The story element of the series is top notch. The battle details are hard but necessary. And we also get to know Confederate leadership better. However, the causes of the war Reasoner suggests are pure Lost Cause mythology, as are portrayals of General U.S. Grant and all Yankees. The few Northern sympathizers are portrayed as evil, naive or misguided.

But the greatest Lost Cause error is the treatment of prisoners. Yes, Camp Douglas was bad and prisoner treatment was shameful. By all measures, Andersonville was worse. The death rates of both camps prove that. Overall POW death rates for Union POW's was 15.5% vs. 12% for Confederates. No doubt the gap would be wider if: 1) Union soldiers were in as poor condition as Confederates when taken; and 2) surrendering African-American Union soldiers murdered by Confederates were counted among the dead POW's.

While ignoring such evils, Reasoner is willing at least to portray some Southerners as flawed (though there's no hint that Nathan Bedford Forrest was once a slave trader and would go on to lead the Klu Klux Klan).

That said, I wish I could read more about the post-war greater Brannon family.

[Debra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, I am not going to be able to quit this series because they are easy reads, and now I feel invested in the Brannon family.

That said, this second book is written for a 15 year old boy. Descriptions of the physical reaction Cory has near a pretty girl, etc.

Sadly, this is not for a 10 year old boy, so I can't recommend this or the rest for my son as there is quite a bit of sexual innuendo.

As with the first book, the actual battle was a tiny piece of the story. The rest is a soap opera about the missing Brannon son from the first book. The writing isn't particularly good, and it seems to be written for a young man.

It's an easy brain candy kind of book, and now I feel like I am committed to finishing this dang series.

[T.S. Folke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another pedestrian offer by Reasoner. The balance between fictional characters and historical event is uneven. Reasoner provides adequate details regarding military realities and movements. Indeed, one can read this book and have a respectable overview of the 2 day Shiloh battle and the fort Donelson and fort Henry episodes that Preceded the battle. Reasoner struggles with the fictional realm, most notable dialog. The interplay between Cory and Lucille is derisively laughable from the get go and fails to recover any reputable ground. I will state unequivocally that dialog for all characters suffers and is the most damning aspect of Reasoners prose.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The battle of Shiloh was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War! The second book of the series moved at a quicker pace than the first as it followed the life of Cory Brennen. He started out as a dock wharf, to an pilot apprentice on the Zephyr, to fighting alongside the Confederate in the Battle of Fort Henry and Shiloh. The character development was excellent and like the first novel I wish there was a little more detail with the actual battle. Great ending though to lead into the next book in the series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this series. I am reading them in order but there is enough background to make each a good stand-alone book to read.

I agree with another reviewer that the good characters are sometimes a little too good and the villains seem one dimensional. The one possible exception may be Titus who seems, at present, headed on downward spiral.

[K.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book, but one poorly named; there isn’t much about the two-day Civil War battle in Tennessee.

Good characters, if a bit simplistic. This story is mostly interpersonal and dominated by riverboat culture and pre-Shiloh battle actions (e.g. Fort Henry, Fort Donelson). I probably won’t read anymore of this series as I’ve discovered this formula is oft repeated in the other books.

[Levi Borba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than the first in the series (Manassas). While the first volume was centered in Will Brannon, this one focus on Cory, the younger brother.
Great narrative from the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson. The only reason I subtracted one star is that the main battle of the book, Shiloh, had a very fast-paced narration, too fast for a clash of epic proportions.

[Robert A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 2. The dialogue between the people seemed a little too forced or goody goody. This is the second book and most of the story is more of a love story than historical fiction. To me it was predictable and forced. I don’t know if I’ll continue the series. Maybe I’m just not cut out for fiction

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a lot better than the first book in the series! The story of Cory was more interesting and I look forward to the books following. (My husband bought the entire series thinking they were non-fiction.) one of the reasons I liked this book better is because there was t much of Mama Brannon in it.

[Victor Vilchiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see why most people are not fans of this installment; however, i find it to be a good balance between the life of a soldier merchant thorn between the urge to fight for his land and the need to protect those he loves.

[MARY · Rating 4 out of 5]

another good book in this series though i think shiloh should not have been the title. That battle did not take place until the last chapter almost and was mostly about gunboats and riverboats. Still another good story in the Brannon family. Only eight to go!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book was so good—it covered an aspect of the Civil War I didn’t know much about: the beginning of the Union’s campaign into Tennessee. Plus, the story’s focus was on Corey Brannon, the “dreamer” brother—he certainly woke up and grew up in this exciting book.

[CMG (Mac) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Civil war story revealed through eyes of one of the brothers - Corey.

Feels a bit juvenile but I like this method of bringing battles to life - makes the history lesson much easier to understand and remember.

I plan to continue the series.

[Mary Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first book. Not so much hate toward one another. This is just the way it was.

[B.L. Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very captivating & entertaining tale of love and war.

[Christopher Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the lost Brannon brother and his adventures out west. A refreshing change from the first book which takes place exclusively in Virginia.

[William Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good historical novel on the Battle of Shiloh. I'm liking this series.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in Reasoner's Civil War series. It follows a fictional southern family during the war. I was particularly interested in this book as it is about the Battle of Shiloh where one of my ancestors fought. However, it focused on one of the Brannon brothers who worked on a steamboat. I was amazed when, a few days after finishing this book, I found out the son-in-law of one of my ancestors was on a steamboat in this battle!

I'm really enjoying these books and will soon start #3.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the series, this one focuses on Corey, the brother who was barely mentioned in the first book. I didn't like him as much as I did the other brothers at first, but he grew on me. I am enjoying the series so much I started #3 as soon as I finished #2. Book #3 Antietam picks up back in Culpeper at the family farm.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book in Mr. Reasoner's Civil War historical fiction series. This volume focuses on Cory and his travails as he encounters the war in the West. I enjoyed this book a bit more that the first. On to the next volume.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed to be historically accurate (based on what I know), and I always like a book about perspectives! However, the battle at Shiloh doesn't take place until the last 10-20 pages of the novel...odd.

[Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good continuation of Manassas in the fictional Civil War Battle Series by James Reasoner. I had to go check out my geography along the Mississippi River paths though.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far these novels climax with one of the most famous battles of the Civil War. This one was almost as good as the first one.

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Historical fiction book.Best book I have read in a long time.