Customer Reviews

Stranger in Savannah

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

 

 

As an avid reader of books centered on the Civil War, I found this book to be an excellent portrayal of the trials and tribulations of a country divided. Eugenia Price not only tells a deep, involved story, but she also presents the facts behind the Civil War from the perspectives of rebels, unionists, and southern union sympathizers. Every perspective is explored in this book. Ms. Price also uses real people in her books which makes them that much more interesting. She writes her story from actual letters that were exchanged by some of the people in the book like General Lee, Mary Custis, W.H. Stiles, and Eliza McQueen Mackay. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves stories of the Old South, The Civil War, or just a good old-fashioned love story. This book will not let you down!

As a continuation from the first book "Savannah", the story continues in centering around the lives of Mark and Miss Elisa and their family extents. The writting is typical long winded fashion of Eugenia, making me wish that I had not chosen this book to read aloud to a disabled person. The longest sentences I have ever seen written... taking a breath mid-sentence is required in almost every paragraph. This second book keeps in step with the first in detailing the lives of people around Savannah up and through the Civil War, and exemplifies the outstanding research that was necessary in writting this book. The associated history lessons within were never detailed this well in school. I was excited throughout the first book "Savannah" and caught up in the story so much that I could hardly go a day without reading a chapter. After purchasing this second book, I don't have the same excitement, as the overall feel of the story is darker, with a tendency of feeling that the author was tired of writting this edition. Overall, I give a plus for research and continuation of the families lives ( we all have to die sometime), but the story line tends to drag on in this book.

This is my all-time favorite novel by Eugenia Price. A STRANGER IN SAVANNAH should be considered her masterpiece. Although I find the dialogue long-winded, it is an excellent, in-depth account of how the war and its causes nearly drove loving friends and families apart. Especially tragic is Jonathan Browning's embrace of the Southern Cause and how it affected his marriage.

Eugenia Price won fame with her masterpiece, THE BELOVED INVADER. Mostly she has written non-fiction, but this SAVANNAH quartet covers the period from the War of 1812 to the Civil War which, she said, broke the hearts of Rebels and Yankees alike." She credits Mary Wheeler of Nashville, Tennessee, for her expert work on the complex political history leading up to the Civil War. "I have tried to make this the story of the unique kind of anxiety and suffering felt by those forced to live on the edges of the actual fighting in this wasteful conflict."

She used real people at times, Stuart Elliott and Mary Stiles Low were the star-crossed lovers. Fictional characters like Burke Latimer, who married Natalie. This ending volume starts with 1854 with the prelude to confrontations. "The sooner the South breaks away from the Union, the sooner we can get back to normal."

Lincoln entered the main stage when his Republican campaign to unseat Senator Douglas was successful. In Harpers Ferry, John Brown is called many names from a 'demon' to 'a stern Calvinist who had dedicated his life to a merciless effort to do away with slavery.' Colonel Lee wrote in a letter to Eliza, "Brown's band of raiders had seized the U. S. Arsenal and taken over the sleeping village with thirteen hostages,, including Jeb Stuart. He'd already given the Union soldiers trouble in Kansas. After a gun fight, Brown was captured and his trial on October 25, 1859; he was being praised as hero/martyr by the North."

During the period of 1860-1864, regiments were changed in Pulaski, Virginia. "But they haven't attacked Pulaski yet." General Robert E. Lee was quoted as saying that "Savannah is the hardest place to defend anywhere!" Burke read the editorial in 'Southern Statesman' by his friend, Goodman, in which he was "able to relate the shock and sadness that Fort Sumpter in he harbor os Charleston, South Carolina, had fallen to the Confederate forces and because of my deep belief in the only source of strength for the once great nation, I must declare that this act means treason against all the wisdom and patriotism of the fathers of the Union, to all hope of progressive civilization on this continent...."

As Sherman was bound for Atlanta to put a stop to the South's Noble Cause, they were calling the torn-up rails he left behind in Tennessee "Sherman's neckties"; "you sound like a Rebel, Mark -- the last I heard, General William Tecumseh Sherman was a Union general." As Jonathan put down the book his mother had sent to him, George Eliot's THE MILL ON THE FLOSS, he felt the earth quake and discovered that the Yankees were attacking Port Royal, only twenty-five miles away.

Through Fred Bentley of Kennesaw, Georgia, Ms. Price met a 'true Southern gentleman,' Robert Goodman, Jr., great-grandson of the revered 'Southern Unionist' (whoever heard of such a thing?!), the publisher of the old 'Southern Statesman' from Marietta, Ga.

In this book, she combines fiction and history as she gives her characters well-documented historical backgrounds. She bring the Savannah of the early 19th century into proper focus. The previous novels in this set are SAVANNAH, TO SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN (a glorious tale as unforgettable as first love), and BEFORE THE DARKNESS FALLS. Some of her non-fiction include WHAT REALLY MATTERS, THE BURDEN IS LIGHT, JUST AS I AM, and LEARNING TO LIVE.

Eugenia Price had let me down. I began reading this book, to complete the Savannah quartet, and i can't seem to want to fininsh it. All her other books made me want to never put them down,execpt this one. The politics are to much to bear. I read books of the civil war for the historical time period. Not the politics. Gone with the wind is the perfect example, just enough politics, and more living.

This book was old, which I didn't mind, but it was yellow pages, and the pages were dirty!
Had a hard time even holding the book, as it was disgusting for the price.
I would like my money back actually, as it was not worth the money I spent, plus the postage it cost to have it sent to me. You should not send out a product like this.

This book was purchased as a gift for my mother-in-law and her friends who are fans of the author. They had read the author's other books in this series but could not find this title which was out of print. Amazon offers a great way to find good condition, out of print books at very reasonable prices!

Item was "as described" and arrived quickly. No hesitation about buying from this seller again.

I ordered this book from the "Used Book" section. What a great idea. The book was received quickly, was in reasonably good condition, and I loved reading it.....without paying a huge price for it.

Her characters are just a little too good to be true but the reading is good for a quick no thought escape. I enjoy historical, fact based novels and though these are almost too sweet they do offer real history.