Hillcountry Warriors [Hardcover]

Johnny Neil Smith (Author), James C. Smith (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1996

In this novel, set in the antebellum American South, a family who were among the first to enter east central Mississippi in the 1830s are forced into the Civil War despite their opposition to slavery. Many hardships in the unspoiled wilderness, their unusual friendship with the native Choctaws, and extreme trials following the crushing events of defeat in the war are woven into this story that takes the reader back into an era when a society that supported slavery as an institution was considered both moral and necessary.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Drawing heavily from his own family history, first-time author Smith portrays the Old South in transition during the mid-19th century, examining social changes through the lens of two feuding white families. After the two Wilson brothers, Lott and Jake, journey from Georgia to Mississippi, they establish an unusually warm relationship with the native Choctaw Indians. The Wilsons have no such friendship with the Ollivers, however, thanks to a serious conflict between Frank Olliver and Lott Wilson's son John. Frank and John are best friends until they both fall in love with a comely neighbor, Rebecca, who returns John's ardor. Frank persuades John to leave Mississippi and join him in fighting for the Confederacy. After his father pays a substitute to take his son's place in the army, however, Frank quickly courts and marries Rebecca, who mistakenly believes that John has been killed at Gettysburg. When John returns, the story leads inexorably to a predictably heartrending romantic resolution. Smith, a longtime teacher of American history, creates some stirring Civil War scenes and details the conflicts between former masters and slaves. Incidents involving the Choctaw are equally compelling, especially when the tribe is forced to flee to the Oklahoma Territory. While the writing is excessively earnest, Smith's command of the era's politics and history and his feel for Southern family relationships make this tale an above-par work of period fiction.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Smith's command of the era's politics and history...make his tale an above-par work of period fiction." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, August 26, 1996

"The novel has everything a reader expects from an Old South Civil War story: love, war and adventure." -- ATLANTA JOURNAL, 1996

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 285 pages
• Publisher: Sunstone Pr; 1st edition (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865342474
• ISBN-13: 978-0865342477
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,420,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hillcountry warrior, September 4, 2008

By 

Michael Smith (seabrook, texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hillcountry Warriors (Hardcover)

I was raised in the area of Little Rock, and even played football under Smith when he was the football coach at the local high school in the 1960's. Thus was the reason for me buying and reading his book. I found the book to be very interesting and the story kept my interest to the end. The charactors in his book are still much akin to the people of the area today. So if you are planning a trip to the area or thinking of moving there, this is a must read!!! Thanks Coach! Nice job!!! mdsmith

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LIKED THE WAY THE CHARACTERS WERE DEVELOPED., February 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hillcountry Warriors (Hardcover)

MY HUSBAND IS FROM THE AREA THE BOOK WAS ABOUT AND IT REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE. I COULD PICTURE THE CHARACTERS AND THE DIALOGUE WAS VERY TRUE TO THE AREA. IT WAS FASCINATING TO LEARN THE HISTORY OF THE AREA THROUGH SUCH REAL PEOPLE.