Status Updates From A Chain of Thunder

One of the themes is perseverance in the face of adversity. The book is about a siege, so both sides spend a long time doing something very difficult. The Confederate civilians are hit especially hard. This is a theme I can relate to, since I have occasionally had to do hard things requiring a lot of persistance to finish.

Shaara extends his narrative outside the lead-up to battle and the intricate maneuvering within the volley of fire. He chooses to focus on unique aspects of these battles within the Civil War. In a recent segment I read, he places much attention on Lucy Spence, a young Mississippian who lives in Vicksburg, watching as the two armies advance and, eventually, aiding in a civilian nurse capacity, with the injured.

The setting of my story is the town of Vicksburg Mississippi and the surrounding area, fall 1862. The story centers on Vicksburg, and the Confederate defense thereof. The story would not work in another setting since it is the story of the battle of Vicksburg.

As Grant and Sherman devise their plan to head towards Vicksburg, General Pemberton awaits, though worry seems to sober him to what lies ahead. On their trek to the city they seek, Union soldiers learn that the citizens of Mississippi are not always 'victims in the way', but can be strong Confederate supporters, ready to back Jefferson Davis and hold onto the slaves they feel are their possessions.

Shaara moves the Civil War battles ahead a year, positioning his story and characters into 1863. The central focus of this novel is Mississippi, central to the transport line of the Confederates. Generals Grant and Sherman of the Union contrast nicely with General Pemberton in their insights towards this most important collection of military maneuvers.