Away, Gone to Die a Soldier

the long version

Although a little long, this is quite an interesting love tale set during the Seven Days Battles outside Richmond, 1862. It is a story of a young man who left home because the woman whom he secretly loved married his brother. It is an intersting psychological view of a young man obsessed with a woman whose affection he fears he may never have. But it also delves into how friendships and loyalty are forged under the stress of camplife and warfare. The conclusion has a mystical twist, which will capture the reader's heart. Not only is the story itself interesting, but the book focuses on the everyday life of the common civil war infantry soldier. The author obviously researched the details of the battles and the troop movements. Additionally, much time is spent on the down-time of the soldier, the humdrum of everyday life. This is where the book excels in historical accuracy. Needless to say, literary license had to be used here and there, but overall this is an outstanding example of an author who puts history first when writing historical fiction.