A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom [Hardcover]

Jim Murphy (Author)

Book Description

In September 1862, two great armies faced off across Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, knowing that the fate of the United States and the future of millions of slaves were at stake. From behind-the-scenes conversations to the action on the front lines, renowned nonfiction writer Jim Murphy provides an in-depth look at the battle that prompted Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and changed America forever. Murphy uses photographs, maps, and first-person accounts to sweep young readers into the chaos and confusion of battle. Gritty and utterly engaging, this is a powerful portrayal of a day on which 22,717 people were killed or wounded—the single bloodiest day in American history.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 4–8—"It is terrible to march slowly into danger, and see and feel each second your chance of death is surer than it was the second before." These words from a Union officer begin to provide some reckoning of the horror that was the 1862 Battle of Antietam, which surely changed the course of the Civil War and provided Lincoln with the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Murphy provides readers with a lucid and compelling narrative, drawn mainly from firsthand accounts, of the deadliest day in American military history. From the drama that unfolded in the cornfield to brutal confrontation on the sunken road, the unflinching prose compels readers forward in anticipation of the events yet to unfold. Ever-present throughout the narrative is the dichotomy in leadership styles between the two generals. Lee is presented as firm and resolute, while McClellan is crippled by his fear of Lee's "phantom soldiers." Replete with excellent-quality archival photos, reproductions, and maps, this is an outstanding account of a battle that was truly a "savage thunder."—Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL
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Review

"A stirring, well-researched addition to Civil War shelves." -- Booklist, starred review

"Replete with excellent-quality archival photos, reproductions, and maps, this is an outstanding account of a battle that was truly a savage thunder. " -- School Library Journal, starred review

"...what makes this impassioned volume speak -- literally -- are the many primary-source quotations of those involved, from the least to the most." -- Kirkus, starred review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (July 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689876335
• ISBN-13: 978-0689876332
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 10.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,229,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jim Murphy began his career in children's books as an editor, but managed to escape to become a writer, entering a life of personal and creative happiness and enduring financial uncertainty. He's convinced that the latter keeps him coming back to his computer to write every day and feels that a sense of impending doom is the doorway to creativity. He has never counted the number of books he's published (feeling the time and energy is better spent doing research and writing) but guesses that he has over thirty books to his credit. Jim's work has been honored with numerous awards, including two American Llibrary Association Newbery Honor Book Awards, an ALA Robert F. Sibert Award and Sibert Honor Book Award, three National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Awards, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and a BG/HB Honor Book Award, two SCBWI Golden Kite Awards, and been a finalist for the National Book Award. Recently, he was given the ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award for "his significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Addition for Homeschool Library, July 11, 2009

By 

Ursula K. Raphael "AstraDaemon, The Zombiephiles" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom (Hardcover)

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This Civil War book focuses specifically on the battle at Antietam. The first thing that stood out was the quality photographs; along with the illustrations and maps, they bring the personal accounts back to life. I also appreciated the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, such as "Boston hymn" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1863.

I was pleased that the preface clarified that the war was not fought merely over the issue of slavery. Rather, the Confederates fought for state sovereignty, giving the states the right to enact laws apart from the federal government. In contrast, the Union fought to preserve the unity of our country.

The author, Jim Murphy, focuses on the events leading up to this historical battle, as well as the strategies employed throughout. Murphy does not favor one side or the other, but presents the facts in a very enthralling and educational manner that is sure to hold the interest of any young history student.

I highly recommend this book to homeschoolers. Murphy's other books include An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 (Newbery Honor Book) and The Great Fire.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impossible to put down!, September 29, 2009

By 

S. Lipson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom (Hardcover)

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Never in my life did I think I would read a war history book during my own free time and thoroughly enjoy it. I was never much of a history buff in my youth, but as an adult, I have developed a deep appreciation of how history shapes and effects modern day life. I was born and grew up (for 40 yrs in New York state). I moved to NC over 5 years ago. All I had known prior to moving to NC was being confident, outspoken, liberal, accepting, flexible, and fully immersed in (and completly enjoying) the vast daily cultural mix of America. Moving to NC was a huge eye opener to many things that are not so attractive. For the first time in my life I was seriously discriminated against, judged, felt the need to watch what I say and how I speak, and felt as if I didn't quite fit in. Now mind you, I have also been treated quite warmly and courteously by many strangers as well here in NC. Coming from NY I really felt accosted by the religious people who live here all trying desparately to convert me to their religion and attend their house of worship. The topic of religion comes before the weather here. So what does all this have to do with this book you ask. Well, one can not possibly read this remarkable front line history recount with out conjuring up how you feel about the Civil War. What stance is yours? How do you feel about Rebels, the Union, the Emancipation Proclamation, war itself? This book provides the very best accounting of the War of Antietam, the single bloodiest day during all of the Civil War when about 23,000 soldiers (and some civilians) lost their life fighting for what they believed at the time was the better cause. The book is filled with first hand quotes, hymns, battle cries/cheers/poems, as well as pictorial maps of country side battlefields, of attacks by whom and retreats of others. The history is horrific no matter what side you are on then or now and this book provides no candy coating in it's words, drawings, or photographs. I can not even recall the number of times I would look at a photo or drawing of someone in the book, read about their involvement in the war battle, only to have the next line state their demise of death. **This book is quite graphic (bloody and laten with tragedy) in both descriptions and photos.** I do not think it to be the wisest thing to allow any child to read this book without any adult present in order to direct discussions regarding thoughts and feelings which will be dramatically provoked by its' content. This is not a children's book, rather it is a book of incredible importantance in American history which should be discussed thoroughly for proper understanding and consideration. The author has done an excellent job in presenting the history in a most unbiased tone. I realize that the Civil War went on for years, but after reading this book, I can not impress enough it's wealth of factual information in a package of descriptive simplicity with various illustrations which will take your breath away and literally cause you to stop reading and reflect on what it means to be a free American, and what was paid to have your freedom.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Battle of Antietam Explained for Young People, September 10, 2009

By 

Colinda "L.S.W." (Historic Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom (Hardcover)

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This is a well-presented history of the Battle of Antietam. It's clearly explained with plenty of illustrations.

The intended audience is students who are old enough to be interested in a horrific Civil War battle and its repercussions. The item's listing says the reading level is ages 9-12, however, the subject matter seems too bloody for most 9 and 10 year olds, and even for many who are 11 and older. My personal feeling is that a student who is mature enough to deal with the horrors of war does not need to be written down to. There are some places where the writing sounds a bit like a textbook, with some strained sentences and not enough emotion. However, there are good things about the book that make it worth having in a library. Jim Murphy has taken a complex battle and made it understandable - not an easy task. He also made clear the events leading up to the battle, and deals with the key personalities in what seems to be a fair approach. Lincoln's use of the favorable outcome of the battle as an excuse to issue the Emancipation Proclamation is given the importance that it deserves.

This is a fairly quick read and should be appreciated by teens and adults who seek a clear overview of this important battle. There are anecdotes to add interest, including a couple of mentions of female soldiers. Even the footnotes at the end are worth reading.