Look Away [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Harold Coyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1995

At the heart of the story are two brothers, sons of a prosperous New Jersey businessman whose growing wealth and power are dependent on his ability to avoid choosing sides as the issue of states' rights threatens to divide the nation. James and Kevin Bannon, who have always shielded each other from their father's tyrannical outbursts, see their fierce loyalty abruptly shattered by their rivalry over a woman ... and her shocking, violent death. James is sent to VMI (Virginia Military Institute) to make something of himself, while Kevin attends college in the North. Soon they will find themselves on opposite sides in every great action of the war, with a stunning conclusion at the Battle of Gettysburg.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This Civil War saga from military novelist Coyle is about two brothers from New Jersey who find themselves on opposite sides of the war.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA?In this Civil War novel, the motif of divided loyalties between brothers is made even more poignant by the fact that the young men are victims not only of historical circumstances but also of the unscrupulous political ambitions of their cruel father. James and Kevin Bannon have always been close. Their tyrannical father, a belligerent New Jersey businessman, takes advantage of his sons' tragic predicament?the accidental death of the girl they both love?by sending them away. James goes to the Virginia Military Academy and Kevin enters a Northern college. Both find love, friendship, and self knowledge as they go their separate ways, and both are caught up in the events of the tumultuous times. Alternating chapters follow each young man as he experiences the horror and futility of war as well as the cohesiveness of men in battle. In a suspenseful, heart-wrenching climax, the brothers are reunited at the Battle of Gettysburg. Notes corresponding to each chapter provide lengthy historical information that sorts out fact from fiction.?Jackie Gropman, Kings Park Library, Burke, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Soundelux Audio Pub; abridged edition edition (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559351713
• ISBN-13: 978-1559351713
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,973,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fictional account of the war as it might have been!, August 12, 2004

By 

Fruit Loop (Down South) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Look Away (Mass Market Paperback)

Coyle uses documentation of real events and people to create this fictional account of "Brother vs Brother" in the War Between the States. This tale of Kevin and James Bannon, who are both manipulated into fighting by the machinations of their greedy father, is an excellent story of soldiering on both sides of the war as it might have happened. An entertaining read for the fiction fan AND students of the War.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, August 17, 2001

By 

Always looking for a good book... (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Look Away (Mass Market Paperback)

Phenomenal. I got so involved with the characters that it was like being a part of history. This novel depicts the horrendous rift that separates two brothers and a family as they pick sides in the American Civil War.

It was emotional, gut-wrenching and beautiful all in one. The second installment was even better, if that can be believed.

This is a must read for all civil war buffs or even everyone who loves a great read. Pick it up, you won't be sorry!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can almost smell the gunsmoke, March 2, 2005

By 

Dee Cee "Buckeye Book Worm" (South America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Look Away (Mass Market Paperback)

You can almost smell the gunsmoke of the battlefield while reading this book. It's one of my all time favorite novels about the Civil War. I've bought copies and given them to my friends- that's how much I liked it.
Coyle has a gift for making you feel like you are right on the battlefield with his characters. I didn't always know exactly where the action was taking place or why, but that's just about how the soldiers lived it then, I'd say.
Terrific!