Between Rail and River

Canawlers #2

by James Rada Jr.

The war between the North and the South takes hold on the Freeman.

As the Fitzgeralds struggle to make it through the winter of 1862-1863 after a poor year of boating on the C&O Canal, the Civil War draws ever closer to being fought aboard the Freeman. George Fitzgerald's unexpected return from the battles of the Civil War pits him against David Windover, an ex-Confederate spy, who now works and lives with the Fitzgeralds.

Alice Fitzgerald struggles to hold her family together as a vindictive sheriff and a haughty doctor's wife work to tear them apart. Tony, the street urchin from Cumberland, has found a life aboard the Freeman, but Sheriff Lee Whittaker has other ideas for the ex-thief. Elizabeth is growing older and finding herself torn between the canal and becoming a lady.

Together, the Fitzgeralds have met every obstacle, but how will they fare if the divisive forces around them separate them?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

I am a multi-award-winning journalist and copywriter. I have also written a number of books, both fiction and nonfiction and plan to write even more. I work as a freelance writer in Gettysburg, PA, where I live with my wife and sons.

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written history of the Daughters of Charity and their work during the Civil War. For anyone looking to learn more about the medical side of this time period it provides a detailed understanding while adding a humanistic touch to the sisters. Very enjoyable!

[Mary K. Shrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to Put Down!

My book club chose "Canawlers" and I loved it so much that I purchased the rest of the series! Thank you James Rada for writing great stories about our area! I grew up in the area and loved reading about the C&O Canal with the Fitzgerald family!

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually a reader of stone cold agents like Matt Helm and John Wells and some softer ones like Tommy Carmellini but I do love history so I thought I'd give it a try.This is a series about a family that is striving to endure along the Potomac River during the War of Northern Aggression.While I thought I would like the historical aspects I wasn't too enamored with the story of a family toiling to make a decent living and life in those difficult times.I was wrong.I did become enamored.It didn't take long even for a hardened heart like mine to empathise with this family and become anxious for them to come out on the right side of some bad things happening to them.Mr. Rada is a pretty good story teller and I hope he continues this series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads first-reads.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves Gettysburg or is interested in history. The book contains true stories and photos from Gettysburg's history. It takes one beyond just the battlefield and opens one up to other fascinating tidbits. I enjoyed learning more about a city I love for it's Civil War history. The next time I visit my mind and eyes will be open to other historical facts that make the city great.

[James Rada Jr.]

I'm the author so anything I write about it will be biased. I will say that this book was a challenge for me to write. It was my first book-length history book. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I hope you like it.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still intrigued by the Fitzgerald family--- but what happens? This book was published in '03. Is there going to be a third book in this series? Part two did not wrap anything up for me.

[Lynn Brewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but very tedious. If you are a Civil War buff you would really enjoy this book.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is great if you love gettysburg. it has a lot of interesting stories. and the history.gets me more drawn into gettysburg