Customer Reviews

Elkhorn Tavern

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not a romantic piece about the Civil War. Nor is it, as one reviewer wrote, similar to "Cold Mountain" in any way other than superficially. This is the War Between the States from the viewpoint of a mother, son, and daughter trying to survive as Yankees overrun their land, bushwhackers and jayhawkers ride in at night to take whatever they want (including the family's 17-year-old daughter), Indians from the nearby Indian Territory knock on their door unexpectedly, and a wounded Yankee comes under their care -- and all the while, their husband/father is off in the Confederate army, and the lack of any word from him adds to the family's tension. Littered throughout are closeup vignettes of actual participants in the battle of Pea Ridge -- Union and Confederate commanders are portrayed with such clarity, you will never forget them. But in the end they play only a minor role, taking a far back seat to Ora, Roman, and Calpurnia Hasford. The characters here are better drawn than those in "Cold Mountain" and the historical details both of farm life and of the War are far more accurate -- and nowhere in fiction will you find stronger, more capable women than Ora Hasford and her daughter Calpurnia. The writing is solid from the outset and never falters, and you find yourself caring about these people -- who have fears and joys, vanities and faults -- as much as anyone you might actually know. My heart was pounding at the book's climax -- well done, Mr. Jones! Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and a character-driven story. The saga of this family is continued in other books by Jones - "Winding Stair," "Roman," "Come Winter," and "Remember Santiago."

I'm amazed that there are so few reviews of this book (only 5 at the time I'm writing this). Elkhorn Tavern is a beautifully written story and was a absolute joy to read simply for its prose alone. The story itself is a compelling one too. The author is obviously so familiar with his subject that it was easy for me to visualize everything he described in such vivid detail. The ending is perhaps a bit anticlimactic, making me wish I could give it 9 out of 10 stars, but overall this is simply a terrific book. And as for the inevitable comparison to Cold Mountain, I think Elkhorn Tavern wins that battle handily.

The first book I read by this author was "Come Winter," which turns out to be the final book in the three book series about Roman Hasford--"Elkhorn Tavern" being the first, and "Roman" the second. I loved "Come Winter" so much that I wanted to read everything by Douglas Jones.

The books take place during and after the Civil War, so as a bonus you learn a lot about this time period, almost as if you are transported there. I liked the characters very much, and there are a good variety of them - former slaves, a Jewish man, army guys and very interesting strong women. The series follows Roman from about age 14 when he lives with his mother and sister in a farm in Arkansas during the Civil War (Elkhorn Tavern) to his move to Kansas to make his fortune (Roman) until he returns to Arkansas a rich man (Come Winter). You get to experience his whole life, including his death. It was wonderful. As one publisher put it: a marvelous read.

This was particularly memorable in it's similarity to the bestseller, Cold Mountain, which I read before Elkhorn Tavern. This is also a civil War novel which focuses on daily life concerns during wartime rather than combat issues.There are more memorable characters in this book as well as more intricate subplots. I couldn't help but wonder why this wasn't as big a hit as Cold Mountain, since this was published prior to that popular and well written Civil War novel.

I also live near the location of Pea Ridge Battlefield in northwest Arkansas and have visited the park several times. After reading Elkhorn Tavern I have a new perspective of the Civil War and the beauty of this area. Douglas C. Jones delivered a strong plot and remarkable characters. Now I appreciate the rugged lives of those who struggled here during the Civil War. I was fascinated with his descriptions of the countryside, the crops, natural plants and remedies, farm and wild animals, and how these were essential to survival and fought over by both armies, the bushwhackers and jayhawkers, and desperately defended by the family. The characters, both good and bad, are realistic and intriguing. This re-issue has a beautiful new cover and a great new map and is one that I am proud to have on my favorites shelf.

Doug Jones, retired military officer, did a superb job researching and producing an historical fiction account of the Battle of Pea Ridge. I've lived in the area for almost three decades and my wife's family settled in the area that became the battleground back in the 1830's.

Doug did a faithful rendering of the setting. Those of us who know the area well could follow his book's account vividly in our mind's eye. After (or before) reading this book, those not familiar with the area or battle should come to northwest Arkansas and drive the route through the Pea Ridge National Battlefield Park.

...about a largely ignored area of the conflict - rural Arkansas. If the genre appeals read this one.Well done with half a dozen characters that will stick with you after you finish the book.Addresses situations about that war's family level impact that I'd never considered.
Several wrongs are righted but the book leaves some open ended situations to suggest a follow on maybe?