Salvos on the Backwater: A Novel of the Civil War Period [Paperback]

Erwin Wunderlich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2008

SALVOS ON THE BACKWATER has won praise from critics as an entertaining story of one man's love for Florida. For Jack Nichols' to build a new life along the 1863 Gulf coast, he must avoid contested areas of both the Civil War and everyday life. Chased by a warship up a creek one morning, he and his uncle happen upon the Hamilton homestead. There, the widow Rebecca is struggling mightily to hold her family together in the lush and violent wilderness. Jack is unaware of the dangerous chain of events that will be set in motion by his actions on this fateful day.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Erwin Wunderlich is a freelance writer living in Orlando. Since the 1850s, his relatives have been residents of Florida, where as a child he was taught to live off the extensive wetlands for weeks at a time. Erwin later graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served as a Cold War attack submarine officer. He achieved the rank of naval Commander after serving for twenty years in active and reserve components. Erwin holds bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees. His advanced degrees include environmental engineering, business, and education disciplines. Recently, Erwin has worked for both federal and state governments on environmental policy and projects in Florida. His projects have included both the Kissimmee River and Everglades restorations. Erwin's present interests include writing, photographing nature, and monitoring the health of the Wekiva River. To contact Erwin, or find out more about his upcoming projects, please visit www.crackersprings.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris (July 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425798446
• ISBN-13: 978-1425798444
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,863,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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4.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes It's Better to Be Unnoticed, July 10, 2009

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Jim Duggins, Ph.D. "Author, The Power and Sla... (Rancho Mirage, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Salvos on the Backwater: A Novel of the Civil War Period (Paperback)

In the canon of American Historical Fiction there is a paucity of tales devoted to Florida. Largely unreported in the debates among and between the states, north and south, Floridians stood on both sides as the unavoidable conflict formed. In SALVOS ON THE BACKWATER, central figures both northern and southern traveled about the everglades to establish political and military positions to control the area and to harvest its resources. In those pursuits native Floridians particularly those who did not join a side in the fight became victims who paid with their lives.

In Erwin Wunderlick's book, two extended families with their allies, the Jack Nichols group and the Alford Hamiltons present lively opposing portraits of the involvement of locals in the national conflagration. In addition, of course, there were many other less influential groups, e.g., indigenous natives and indentured servants as well as slaves.

After a fast start, the novel quickly turns to a vicious game of run and pursuit. On one side stood Jack Nichols, Captain of a riverboat, the early-identified protagonist, and his protector Floridians not directly involved in the war which naturally meant he had enemies on both sides, north and south, not to ignore the ruffians and tidewater scum who follow the money without regard for principal. A hard right turn in the plot leads him to Rebecca, betrothed to a Hamilton who turns out to be a criminal despite his aristocratic family(why does that sound like a self-canceling phrase in these American times?). Unfortunately, too, Captain Nichols meets Rebecca under deadly circumstances which become even more perilous as he falls in love with her.

Once the conflicts are established, "Salvos on the Backwater" maintains a nail biting hunt and hide adventure as thieves, warriors, and patriots chase one another through the everglades while resident Floridians fight to hold on to their homes and families. Author Wunderlich skillfully maintains the pace and surprise elements with few missteps.

A problem with this novel may be that there are too many characters to draw them fully and leading personalities sometimes appear too black and white. It seemed problematic, too, for this reviewer to believe the amount of pain and misery his leading character could survive -- e.g., three days afer a nearly mortal wound,Captain Jack rises to walk forty miles on limited food, carrying a large, wounded dog. A breathtaking but incredible feat without more information about the source of his uncanny strength.

Altogether "Salvos in the Backwater" is a rollicking tale of adventure, exotic surroundings, and romance, a welcome addition to the literature of Florida in the Civil War.