Search - The Guns of the South

I must admit that I have had this book on my bookshelves for a few years. I actually no longer recall how I came to own the book--whether it was given to me, picked up at a used bookstore/booksale or simply wandered into our shelves. I do recall that when I worked at a library many moons ago, one of the other librarians said her son loved Turtledove's books and Guns of the South happened to be one of his favorites because he was a Civil War buff. That is perhaps why the book remained on my bookshelf for years and never got passed on despite me not reading it.

I possibly didn't pick the book up sooner because I have not long been a fan of science fiction/fantasy, but have gradually come to appreciate the genres more. The reading was slow going on my part, but that had nothing to do with the book as much as it did my abnormally hectic summer schedule.

It's January of 1864, and General Robert E. Lee faces defeat because the Army of Northern Virginia is ill-equipped, cold, starving, and ragged. The defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg has cost the Confederacy dearly and decimated their numbers, leaving the Confederacy even more vulnerable to Grant's Army of the Potomac and military prowess.

What would happen though if a stranger appeared through time and offered Lee the ability to turn the tide and alter the course of history by supplying the Army of Northern Virginia and the rest of the Confederate Army with an unlimited supply of a single piece of modern weaponry? What would the North American continent be like divided into three countries (Canada, the United States, and the Confederate States of America)? What possible motivation could these men from the future have in coming back in time to alter the course of history?

While I must admit that despite the historical accuracy of the way characters were portrayed and some of the language used in the text, I cringed a bit at the beginnings of this book as I read of the treatment of slaves. However, I think Turtledove does an excellent job of balancing an exploration of the impact of slavery--an issue that divided even members of the Confederacy--and the issue of states rights. Turtledove does an exceptional job of character development, especially with the character of General Robert E. Lee, whose own letters Turtledove drew on to open the novel and then to help him develop Lee's character--a character imbued with a sense of both dignity and the overpressing need to always do his "duty". Turtledove's treatment of Lee's relationship with his invalid wife Mary Lee is well done. Even many of the minor characters in the novel get wonderful attention to detail paid to them.

I greatly enjoyed this alternative history novel, brimming with dark ironies and intriguing re-writes of the events of the War Between the States. Turtledove brings characters to life in a rivetingly emotional sense, sharing their inner, emotional selves with the reader, who is compelled to sympathize with them and join their struggle to "do the right thing". I found the book creative, entertaining, and perhaps thought-provoking - the ethics of war, slavery, deceipt, and community loyalty are constant themes which give the reader a more involved experience.

I would only caution the reader that I found the ending dissatisfying. I feel that a book focused on ethical themes should conclude with a strong ending, reflective of the consequences of the characters' ethical actions. This one doesn't, which may not bother you.

Disclaimer - I am not a historian or even a student of history. I cannot speak to the historical accuracy of any events or persons in the novel, so if you are a historian who cringes at historical inaccuracies I cannot help you assess this novel.

Interesting story. You have to suspend a lot of belief to read this type of alternate history but it still makes for an interesting story. I enjoyed the characters and their stories. The stories of the guys from the future might make a good book as well but it was best left out of this one. Being born and raised in the south I am very aware of the stereotypes assigned to the south by much of the country and this book doesn't go there.

I love this book and this author. So much fun to read, especially if you like the civil war era history

"As a civil war historian, I literally could not put The Guns of the South down. It is absolutely unique. . ." from back cover, Professor James M. McPherson, Princeton University.

One of the better ones of the genre