Customer Reviews

Marching Through Culpeper : A Novel of Culpeper, Virginia, Crossroads of the Civil War

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I recently moved to the east coast from California and was given a gift book called, "Marching Through Culpeper". Prior to reading this wonderful book, my exposure to Civil War history was limited to history in school and a few movies. It was always incomprehensible for me to understand the southern perspective until now. Reading Virginia Beard Morton's book opened my eyes to the thoughtless ravaging of innocent people, their homes and their land.

Yet, this book is so much more than about the horrors of war -- it's above all, a wonderful love story -- love of the south, family, and way of life. It's without question the best romance story that I've ever read. I loved the central character, Constance who was beautiful, strong, courageous and ahead of her time. And the fact that Constance is based on an actual women's life during that period, adds to the charm. My favorite character is Frank Stringfellow and his humor and ability to overcome obstacles under the most dangerous situations.

Ms. Morton illuminates a vision of honor, pride and courage of the gentle southern people who sacrificed everything. This book is a "must read" for everyone -- but especially women -- whether interested in the Civil War or not. I can't wait to see it when it gets made into a movie!

This book is more than just "a fun read." It is packed with thrills and suspense, and its characters come alive, evoking the reader's emotional reaction . What makes it excellent, however, is the careful research that enabled the author to weave important historical figures and events seamlessly into the story.

Virginia Beard Morton has given us considerable insight into the horrors of the Civil War and indeed of wars in general. We also find in this novel a clear exposition of southerners' attitude toward their lost cause, an attitude which has not yet been completely extinguished.

Anyone who wants to be entertained while learning a great deal about an important period in American history should read this book.

I found Virginia Beard Morton's book a heart warming tour of the Culpeper area relating to the Civil War. Her ability to combine fiction and non-fiction characters has added color and amusement to a book that I think is as full of excitement and adventure as "Gone With the Wind". I highly recommend it to Civil War buffs and to all who wish to venture forth into new excitement from an old time. This book will sell and be remembered. Pete Bennett-pete@email4u.com

Virginia Morton's "Marching Through Culpeper" is a masterpiece of historical fiction. Basically a love story, she has skillfully woven her fictional characters with actual historical characters and events. The result is a well paced novel that is not only eminently readable but is also accurately reflective of the conditions known to have prevailed in many areas of Civil War Virginia. Modern readers, whose attitudes have mellowed at a distance of almost 140 years from the events portrayed, may be surprised at the passionate hatred of the Yankees held by the people living under the reality of those events, and may find it's portrayal a bit discomfiting. However, the several occupations by Union armies during the course of the war were hard on the civilian population. The people were not well treated. I grew up on stories of those times told to me by my grandmother and her sisters (for whom the Civil War was very real, their having been born in central Virginia within a decade after 1865); and I believe those passions are portrayed by Mrs. Morton with particular accuracy. In my judgment it is one of the strengths of the novel: it is true to life. It is one of the best novels I have read in a long, long time. I recommend this novel to anyone - both men and women - who may have an interest in the Civil War.

As a voracious reader, collector, and enthusiast of The Late, Great Unpleasantness, have devoured hundreds upon hundreds of well written books. This is undoubtedly the best researched and most entertaining of all. If you plan to buy only one book this yer, let it be "Marching Through Culpeper."

I read a lot of fiction, an average of 1-3 books a week, and historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Marching Through Culpeper is probably the best historical fiction novel I've ever read. Often it is difficult to separate fact from fiction in this genre, but that is not the case with this book. Virginia Morton's research is so thorough and well documented the reader can be confident that the historical facts presented in the book are accurate. The educational content of the book is skillfully woven into the story and much of it is presented through conversations between characters so it is never pedantic or boring. Most of the characters were real people and the fictional characters are very realistic and I was truly interested in their lives and cared about what happened to them. The book helped me understand the social and political climate of the time as well as the true causes of the war. The story is very entertaining and I didn't want the book to end.

Culpeper,VA,not Atlanta,is where the real action was in the Civil War.In comparison,the "Atlanta to the Sea" action was brief and occurred when the outcome of the war was no longer in doubt,whereas conflict in the Culpeper area covered years.The details are presented for the first time in this book.Though a novel,Ms.Morton's book also carefully records historical facts.Her intertwining of fact and fiction results in a moving,exciting,and beautiful,though often tragic,story of famous as well as ordinary people as they were involved in the most significant event of our nation's history.Anyone,from those interested in an entertaining yarn of how life was at that time,to the most learned buff of the Civil War will enjoy and treasure this magnificent book.

Seldom is a book able to make me laugh out loud, or bring tears to my eyes.

Virginia Morton has made the characters so real and alive that I feel I know them. Her lucid descriptions of Virginia's Piedmont region made me feel like I was there, but the descriptions never become so wordy as to get in the way.

This book is going to make a GREAT movie: the story is just too good NOT to become a movie.

This author has truly accomplished what so many writers of historical fiction strive to do. She brings the past to life by immersing us in it. Sit down with her book, begin to read, and you'll take a trip -- back in time. While serving as the Army's Chief of Military History, I was sometimes asked about the role that historical fiction can play in enhancing our appreciation for times past. In answering, I urged people to select literature that helped them better understand the hopes, fears, and dreams of people in times past. Marching Through Culpeper does this so well that I recommend it to students in my Civil War history course at the University of Richmond. Many students have thanked me for the suggestion. Virginia Morton has provided us with a superb interpretation of life as it was in Civil War America. Read it and see for yourself!

J.W. Mountcastle
BG, USA (Ret)

I have read many, many fiction and nonfiction books that took place during the Civil War era. This book was the best blend of fact and fiction that I have ever read. I wanted to go to Culpeper, VA to visit the people and places. Mrs. Morton did an excellent job researching this period. The characters came alive. I did not want the book to end. Marching Through Culpeper is a "must" read for anyone interested in that period of our history or anyone interested in a wonderful book.