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The General and Monaville, Texas
While the strife of the Civil War is over, the conflict in Monaville, Texas, is just beginning--and John Ross Wilhite seems to be in the middle of it all. For John Ross, the world is a confusing place. The slaves have been freed, but only some of the occupants of Monaville seem to accept that fact. The Klan is growing in number and political power, but John Ross doesn't understand what the fuss is all about. The General--his revered grandfather--seems to be on the wrong side of the law. And everybody is just a bit too interested in his friendship with Miss Afton. But John Ross doesn't have the luxury of youth any longer, as tensions mount and the most respected men in town become the most fearsome--for good or ill. With richly drawn characters, poignant stories, and a gut-wrenching climax, The General and Monaville, Texas delivers a powerful tale of secrets, politics, and discord in the Reconstruction south--and the coming of age of a boy and a town. AWARDS
- 2009 Finalist, National Best Book Awards (Historical Fiction)
- 2010 Finalist, International Book Fair (Historical Fiction & Young Adult Fiction)
- 2010 Winner North Texas Book Festival (Fiction)
- 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Awards (Western Fiction)
- 2009 Finalist, National Best Book Awards (Historical Fiction)
- 2010 Finalist, International Book Fair (Historical Fiction & Young Adult Fiction)
- 2010 Winner North Texas Book Festival (Fiction)
- 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Awards (Western Fiction)
168 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2009
About the author
Joe G. Bax
4 books4 followersJOE G. BAX IS A RANCHER WHO RESIDES IN RICHARDS, Texas, with his wife Michele. Joe and Michele have two daughters. He is a graduate of both the University of Houston and Texas A&M University and has authored several nonfiction articles. Joe received his bachelor’s in American History and master’s in Southern History with an emphasis on slavery and Reconstruction. Prior to ranching, the Bax family resided in Houston, Texas, where Joe practiced law for twenty-five years.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 10, 2010
The General and Monaville, Texas is an excellent read. It is filled with little bits and pieces about life after the Civil War in a small town filled with veterans, ranchers, and sharecroppers growing cotton on the once fertile lands. The former slaves are struggling to find their place where they were formerly slaves. Others in town are not accepting of the new changes brought about by the loss of the war.
The reader senses a mystery between the town of Monaville and the General who brought most of the men who served with him home from the war, tried to put the past behind him, and move forward with his life. Things happen that won’t allow him to do so. As John Ross learns the reasons why his grandfather refuses to go to town, the reader become caught up in a story that is deeply intriguing.
The General is an enigma to his grandson, John Ross, the main character in this novel. Seen through the eyes of John Ross, the reader is drawn into the story on many levels. As he comes of age and becomes more aware of the undercurrents of life both at the ranch and in town, he becomes more curious about his grandfather. Among the many people he asks in his search for answers Blue, the blacksmith in town, and Momma Mae, resident cook at Catalpa Plantation. He is given vague answers by everyone he asks, including his grandfather’s best friend, the Colonel.
The tension builds as the Klan becomes more active in the community. One of the local churches, just outside of town, becomes the focus the General’s attention. As John Ross becomes his grandfather’s eyes and ears, he is quickly drawn into the conflict that has been brewing in the community since the end of the war. Secrets are revealed as the conflict reaches the climax of the story. It is a novel that grips the reader’s attention from the first page until the end. This is a must read for anyone interested post-Civil War history in general or Texas history in particular.
The reader senses a mystery between the town of Monaville and the General who brought most of the men who served with him home from the war, tried to put the past behind him, and move forward with his life. Things happen that won’t allow him to do so. As John Ross learns the reasons why his grandfather refuses to go to town, the reader become caught up in a story that is deeply intriguing.
The General is an enigma to his grandson, John Ross, the main character in this novel. Seen through the eyes of John Ross, the reader is drawn into the story on many levels. As he comes of age and becomes more aware of the undercurrents of life both at the ranch and in town, he becomes more curious about his grandfather. Among the many people he asks in his search for answers Blue, the blacksmith in town, and Momma Mae, resident cook at Catalpa Plantation. He is given vague answers by everyone he asks, including his grandfather’s best friend, the Colonel.
The tension builds as the Klan becomes more active in the community. One of the local churches, just outside of town, becomes the focus the General’s attention. As John Ross becomes his grandfather’s eyes and ears, he is quickly drawn into the conflict that has been brewing in the community since the end of the war. Secrets are revealed as the conflict reaches the climax of the story. It is a novel that grips the reader’s attention from the first page until the end. This is a must read for anyone interested post-Civil War history in general or Texas history in particular.
January 13, 2021
Good historical short novel. My initial interest in the book was my proximity to Monaville, TX.
April 1, 2013
I received this book when I won a copy of A Texas Destiny: The Saga Begins by the same author. He recommended that I read this book first before reading the one I am to preview.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a very easy read and the author does not fill the book with unnecessary descriptions or information. He focuses more on the characters and their thoughts. He does a wonderful job with this and I really enjoyed the John Ross character. The next book is a prequel but I really hope Mr. Bax writes another book that continues with John Ross' story. I find it rare in books lately where you find a character that you feel has room for growth and development. Usually the main characters are pretty well developed and any further books will read the same way. This is not the case with John Ross who matures in this book, but you also see the potential for his future and actually desire to see that growth.
I enjoyed the other characters as well, but they are more mature than John Ross and have less reason to change. This is appropriate for them. I do look forward to reading the next book which will deal with them at a younger age. I hope Mr. Bax does as good a job with them in their youth as he did with John Ross.
I find it hard to reconcile my feelings about how slavery is dealt with in this book. The General has a very good relationship with many of his former slaves. I find it hard to think that the former slaves would have a favorable relationship with someone that used to own them. As well as they may have been treated, I feel there would be a resentment to someone who "owned" them. That is not to say it would not happen. The author has a Masters in Civil War history with an emphasis on slavery and reconstruction. I would love to see some author's notes about these relationships and historical precedence.
How these characters and the town they are from deal with Reconstruction is another thing I enjoyed about this book. Under the rules of Reconstruction, if you fought for the South, you lost your right to vote or hold office. This plays a role in the story. Some who did not fight due to cowardice or political safety held the power in the town and those who had character and would be better in running the town were forbidden from being able to vote and even be on juries. There is even a character from the north who has come to town because he can rise in the ranks of politics because there is no one to oppose him. Like many northerners of the time, he did not have the welfare of the former slaves in mind and did his best to oppress them and keep them from the political process unless it benefited him.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and would highly recommend this book. It makes a great way to kill an afternoon or two, and I look forward to other books by Mr. Bax.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a very easy read and the author does not fill the book with unnecessary descriptions or information. He focuses more on the characters and their thoughts. He does a wonderful job with this and I really enjoyed the John Ross character. The next book is a prequel but I really hope Mr. Bax writes another book that continues with John Ross' story. I find it rare in books lately where you find a character that you feel has room for growth and development. Usually the main characters are pretty well developed and any further books will read the same way. This is not the case with John Ross who matures in this book, but you also see the potential for his future and actually desire to see that growth.
I enjoyed the other characters as well, but they are more mature than John Ross and have less reason to change. This is appropriate for them. I do look forward to reading the next book which will deal with them at a younger age. I hope Mr. Bax does as good a job with them in their youth as he did with John Ross.
I find it hard to reconcile my feelings about how slavery is dealt with in this book. The General has a very good relationship with many of his former slaves. I find it hard to think that the former slaves would have a favorable relationship with someone that used to own them. As well as they may have been treated, I feel there would be a resentment to someone who "owned" them. That is not to say it would not happen. The author has a Masters in Civil War history with an emphasis on slavery and reconstruction. I would love to see some author's notes about these relationships and historical precedence.
How these characters and the town they are from deal with Reconstruction is another thing I enjoyed about this book. Under the rules of Reconstruction, if you fought for the South, you lost your right to vote or hold office. This plays a role in the story. Some who did not fight due to cowardice or political safety held the power in the town and those who had character and would be better in running the town were forbidden from being able to vote and even be on juries. There is even a character from the north who has come to town because he can rise in the ranks of politics because there is no one to oppose him. Like many northerners of the time, he did not have the welfare of the former slaves in mind and did his best to oppress them and keep them from the political process unless it benefited him.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and would highly recommend this book. It makes a great way to kill an afternoon or two, and I look forward to other books by Mr. Bax.
June 2, 2010
"The General and Monaville, Texas" is a historical novel set in the reconstruction era following the United States Civil War. It is told through the eyes of John Ross, the teenage grandson of General Leander Wilhite who fought for the South and is now trying to put the war behind him and get on with the responsibilities of running a ranch. John tries to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and get on with his life but there are many things going on around him that he just doesn't understand. Who are the "Kluxers" and why do they want to hurt the freed slaves? Why does his grandfather no longer go into town and why does he seem to dislike the church ladies so much? Why are people always asking him how Miss Afton is when they could ask her themselves? As John Ross spends more time with his grandfather and other town elders such as Blue, and The Colonel, he finds the answers not only lead to more questions but also lead to his becoming an adult.
This is a well-written, character driven novel of a period in US history that many people know very little about. History books often gloss over the time directly after the civil war and rarely mention the beginnings of the Ku Klux Klan but author Joe G. Bax takes us there and gives us a sometimes startling, sometimes humorous, and oftentimes all too realistic glimpse into this tumultuous period of US history. If you like historical fiction that packs a punch then I highly recommend "The General and Monaville, Texas". It may be short but it delivers and I guarantee that once started you won't be able to put it down until you have read every last word.
This is a well-written, character driven novel of a period in US history that many people know very little about. History books often gloss over the time directly after the civil war and rarely mention the beginnings of the Ku Klux Klan but author Joe G. Bax takes us there and gives us a sometimes startling, sometimes humorous, and oftentimes all too realistic glimpse into this tumultuous period of US history. If you like historical fiction that packs a punch then I highly recommend "The General and Monaville, Texas". It may be short but it delivers and I guarantee that once started you won't be able to put it down until you have read every last word.
April 12, 2010
I received this book from Reviewthebook.com and did not receive any money for this review nor am I required to write a positive review.
The General and Monaville, Texas is about a young boy named John Ross Wilhite growing up in Texas post Civil War. His grandfather was a General in the war fighting for the south but has since put that behind him. He has set his slaves free and given most of them land as sharecroppers. He takes a genuine interest in them expecially Blue for who the General sets up a blacksmith shop in the town.
John Ross is growing up and is starting to get interested in girls expecially his friend Afton. Coming from a small town they all start asking him about his "friend Afton".
Not everyone is willing to let the loss of the Civil War go to the wayside and with the help of the District Attorney and the drunken Sheriff a group forms the local Klan. They don't take kindly to the former slaves being treated as equals and start to cause some trouble in the area having deadly consequences.
And if the Klan isn't enough to handle a former slave show up to take revenge out on the General.
This book isn't very long , only 168 pages, but it sure packs a punch, I found myself not being able to put the book down. The book does end with somewhat of a mystery though and i would love to read more about John Ross and the town of Monaville, Texas.
The General and Monaville, Texas is about a young boy named John Ross Wilhite growing up in Texas post Civil War. His grandfather was a General in the war fighting for the south but has since put that behind him. He has set his slaves free and given most of them land as sharecroppers. He takes a genuine interest in them expecially Blue for who the General sets up a blacksmith shop in the town.
John Ross is growing up and is starting to get interested in girls expecially his friend Afton. Coming from a small town they all start asking him about his "friend Afton".
Not everyone is willing to let the loss of the Civil War go to the wayside and with the help of the District Attorney and the drunken Sheriff a group forms the local Klan. They don't take kindly to the former slaves being treated as equals and start to cause some trouble in the area having deadly consequences.
And if the Klan isn't enough to handle a former slave show up to take revenge out on the General.
This book isn't very long , only 168 pages, but it sure packs a punch, I found myself not being able to put the book down. The book does end with somewhat of a mystery though and i would love to read more about John Ross and the town of Monaville, Texas.
October 29, 2009
Touching on a piece of history that I think is too often overlooked, author Joe G. Bax successfully paints a vivid picture of a small Texas town during the tumultuous period that followed the Civil War.
With a wide cast of characters, ranging from the prosperous land owner to the poor share cropper, from former slaves to Kluxers, The General explores the turbulent and violent era commonly known as Reconstruction.
General Leander Wilhite, for whom the book is named, is a quiet, reclusive character, while John Ross, his grandson, takes the lead in the story. A former Confederate commander, General Wilhite returns to his plantation Catulpa to put the war behind him and try to come to terms with the momentous change the that has been wrought upon society. Through his grandson John Ross, the reader gets a glimpse of the emotions, the discord, the violence, and the fear that gripped the nation, and especially the South, after the war.
My only criticism would be that, for those like me, who enjoy long, meaty novels with well-developed characters, this one falls short at only 168 pages. For those who enjoy quick reads, this is good historical fiction, a well-crafted story of race relations, revenge and retaliation by an author with a unique voice and authentic writing style.
With a wide cast of characters, ranging from the prosperous land owner to the poor share cropper, from former slaves to Kluxers, The General explores the turbulent and violent era commonly known as Reconstruction.
General Leander Wilhite, for whom the book is named, is a quiet, reclusive character, while John Ross, his grandson, takes the lead in the story. A former Confederate commander, General Wilhite returns to his plantation Catulpa to put the war behind him and try to come to terms with the momentous change the that has been wrought upon society. Through his grandson John Ross, the reader gets a glimpse of the emotions, the discord, the violence, and the fear that gripped the nation, and especially the South, after the war.
My only criticism would be that, for those like me, who enjoy long, meaty novels with well-developed characters, this one falls short at only 168 pages. For those who enjoy quick reads, this is good historical fiction, a well-crafted story of race relations, revenge and retaliation by an author with a unique voice and authentic writing style.
July 7, 2015
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
I might not have come across this book had I not won it as a Goodreads Giveaway. What a great read! The book is well-written, a bit short, which somewhat limits character development, but does not impact the story. There are several openings for a sequel.
This is a period in Texas and US history that many people know very little about. History books usually don't tell us much about the period following the Civil War and rarely mention the beginnings of the Ku Klux Klan but author Joe G. Bax takes us there and gives us a realistic glimpse into this period of US history. Cotton-growing plantations and Texas may not be the first things you think about when you think of Texas, but Bax makes it work in this book. His handling of the slave issue was well-done, and probably quite true for the time period.
If you like historical fiction then I recommend "The General and Monaville, Texas"
I might not have come across this book had I not won it as a Goodreads Giveaway. What a great read! The book is well-written, a bit short, which somewhat limits character development, but does not impact the story. There are several openings for a sequel.
This is a period in Texas and US history that many people know very little about. History books usually don't tell us much about the period following the Civil War and rarely mention the beginnings of the Ku Klux Klan but author Joe G. Bax takes us there and gives us a realistic glimpse into this period of US history. Cotton-growing plantations and Texas may not be the first things you think about when you think of Texas, but Bax makes it work in this book. His handling of the slave issue was well-done, and probably quite true for the time period.
If you like historical fiction then I recommend "The General and Monaville, Texas"
June 20, 2015
I won this book from Goodreads First Reads.
The General and Monaville, Texas is told mostly from the standpoint of the General's grandson John Ross Wilhite. It takes place in the small Texas town of Monaville shortly after the Civil War. A time of unease after the war and the freeing of the slaves we get a glimpse of the citizens trying to bring their town back after the war and the beginning of the Klan.
The book was a short read at only 168 pages but I felt you still got a good look into the characters and this era. You can't help but feel for those still fighting for their freedoms even after the war had ended.
The General and Monaville, Texas is told mostly from the standpoint of the General's grandson John Ross Wilhite. It takes place in the small Texas town of Monaville shortly after the Civil War. A time of unease after the war and the freeing of the slaves we get a glimpse of the citizens trying to bring their town back after the war and the beginning of the Klan.
The book was a short read at only 168 pages but I felt you still got a good look into the characters and this era. You can't help but feel for those still fighting for their freedoms even after the war had ended.
June 28, 2015
I don't know if I would have read this book if I hadn't won it as a Goodreads Giveaway. That being said, it was very on-par with what I expected. It was a quick read (<200 pages), which has pros and cons.
Cons: The characters weren't developed very much. The relationship with Afton felt unfulfilled. Several times I had to stop reading and think "Who is this again?"
Pros: The story moved very quickly.
It was cool to gain some insight on what was going on in the South after the Civil War. It's something I would have not thought about otherwise. All-in-all, not bad, but not great either. I think 3/5 is perfectly fitting.
Cons: The characters weren't developed very much. The relationship with Afton felt unfulfilled. Several times I had to stop reading and think "Who is this again?"
Pros: The story moved very quickly.
It was cool to gain some insight on what was going on in the South after the Civil War. It's something I would have not thought about otherwise. All-in-all, not bad, but not great either. I think 3/5 is perfectly fitting.
January 6, 2013
This is a wonderful book full of twists and turns. The character development is rich and the book takes you on a wild ride of adventure. Set in the post Civil War reconstruction era, the book deals with the trials of moving on for both blacks and whites. The climax is shocking and gut-wrenching. This fast paced book is well worth the read. The next book, A Texas Destiny, set as a prequel to this book is just as good! Hopefully there will be a third installment!
March 26, 2013
I would like to say thank you as I have received this book through goodreads giveaways.
The General and Monaville,Texas Is a book that takes place back in the reconstruction era after the civil war. I really enjoyed all of the characters and the book was easy to follow. it gives you a taste of what things were like for people then. I can't wait to read the next book called, "A Texas Destiny:The Saga Begins" which the author included with this book.
The General and Monaville,Texas Is a book that takes place back in the reconstruction era after the civil war. I really enjoyed all of the characters and the book was easy to follow. it gives you a taste of what things were like for people then. I can't wait to read the next book called, "A Texas Destiny:The Saga Begins" which the author included with this book.
March 31, 2013
An entertaining and informative book.
I was very quickly drawn into the story. It was hard to put down so I could go to bed at night. I learned much about what life would have been like for the men who had fought in the Confederate army, after the end of the Civil War.
I'm looking forward to reading Joe G. Bax's next book, "A Texas Destiny: The Saga Begins."
I was very quickly drawn into the story. It was hard to put down so I could go to bed at night. I learned much about what life would have been like for the men who had fought in the Confederate army, after the end of the Civil War.
I'm looking forward to reading Joe G. Bax's next book, "A Texas Destiny: The Saga Begins."
June 16, 2015
This is a first read book from Goodreads. The book takes place Ina small Texas town after the Civil War. The General and his grandson, John Ross are determined to not let their community fall into the hands of vicious klansmen. There are several side stories in this short work. The book is first class and excellently written. I enjoyed the characters and the theme is beautiful .
October 18, 2015
I received this as a first read. This book I probably would not of picked up if I did not win this one. That would be a shame because this is one heck of a read. This is a short one sometimes to short because you want more of the characters and the story. I love the history here also. Definitely recommend to everyone interested in history or looking for a wonderful short read.
April 4, 2013
A very interesting book,
I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed it.
June 22, 2015
Received for giveaway and enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews