Wednesday, 15 November 2017

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: SEASON OF RECKONING by CAMERON JUDD

Prolific and distinguished author Cameron Judd (whose books tend to focus on the early frontier and Tennessee history) couldn’t pick an absolute favourite of his books (I know it’s a tough question!) but does have a particular fondness for his American Civil War/ Mountain War trilogy. His favourite character is Ben Scarlett, the town drunk of Knoxville, Tennessee, who is central to the trilogy.
The final part, SEASON OF RECKONING, takes us to 1864. As the Civil War is ending, the mountains of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina see even more destructive violence and terror; a wounded nation has to start healing after the wreckage of war.
Together, Amy Deacon, Ben Scarlett, and Greely Brown have to face the bitter reality that the Mountain War will carry on after the Civil War has ended.


Nurse Ann Bell tends wounded soldiers in a Nashville Hospital 1864
In late 1864 the Confederacy suffered two major defeats in Tennessee. At the Battle of Franklin Confederate LT. GENERAL JOHN BELL HOOD's attacks on fortified Union positions, held by GENERAL JOHN SCHOFIELD, were repulsed with heavy loss. 6 Confederate generals were killed, 7 wounded and 1 captured, in what is sometimes called the 'Pickett's Charge of the West.' 

Artist’s impression of the Battle of Franklin


Troops at the scene of the Battle of Franklin 1864
A few weeks later MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE H. THOMAS routed Hood's army at the Battle of Nashville. The Confederate Army of Tennessee was effectively destroyed as a fighting force for the remainder of the war.


Soldiers’ camp at the site of the Battle of Nashville 1864
Although Tennessee was a Confederate state, a significant minority – particularly in the east of the state – supported the Union. These divisions are reflected in the fact that ANDREW JOHNSON, from Tennessee, was elected Vice President under Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He became President after Lincoln's assassination in 1865.


Andrew Johnson

The difficult aftermath of the war in the defeated Confederacy is touched on in movies like ‘The Undefeated’ and ‘Run of the Arrow’ – as well as ‘Gone with the Wind’ of course.


The Undefeated

Gone with the Wind - images of the ruined South:




Reviews of SEASON OF RECKONING:
‘I hated for it to end. Totally engrossing series.’
‘Awesome.’
‘Great read.’
‘An outstanding trilogy.’
'Great book. Superb author.'
‘I can’t say enough about this trilogy. I couldn’t put it down – even though I read this book on my honeymoon!’

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