Vanished Glory: A Family In America [Paperback]

Connie Lynne Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

Journey with the Dougan Clan through Ireland and America, as they face hardship, adventure, tragedy and triumph. This inspiring saga is based on the true story of six generations of an Irish-American family fighting for survival in a land exploding with opportunity and brutality.

Young Tom Dougan, of County Donegal, Ireland, comes to America, the only way he can, as an indentured servant. He starts a family in colonial Pennsylvania. Generations of his descendants encounter America's most turbulent times; the Revolution, Slavery, the Civil War, the Underground Railroad, Westward Expansion and the World Wars.

Readers of all ages will be moved by this story of an ordinary American family facing extraordinary obstacles as they are caught up in the drama of history. Their heartbreaking tragedies, and inspiring triumphs over adversity, give voice to the immigrant experience and put a human face on the landscape of America.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an engaging, entertaining and very American tale of poverty, migration, struggle, success and disappointment." -- Tom Ward, Ph.D., Rockhurst University

"...an impressively written, resounding tale...wonderful, highly recommended reading experience...Connie Lynne Smith is a storyteller of talented originality." -- MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

"...an inspiration..." -- Irish Life Newspaper, Kansas City

"I could not put this book down...thrilling...a spectacular, spell-binding story...a classic...I give it a 10." -- Ann Rizzi, Ph.D., Webster University

"The lovingly written memoir of an Irish-American family... moving... This portrait... has a multitude of... tantalizing depictions..." -- Kirkus Discoveries, December, 2004

"What a delight! Wonderful job...entertaining...rousing good story...meticulous research opens windows to the past...a labor of love." -- Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews

From the Publisher

Thomas Dougan left Ireland in 1737 to escape English oppression. With nothing but his sturdy body and his knowledge of farming, he became an indentured servant in Pennsylvania. He fathered a family full of ordinary people caught in extraordinary times. Through the expert story-telling of Connie Lynne Smith, you experience life throughout these times with the Dougan family—from Colonial times to the World Wars. This epic tale, based on true experiences from Smith’s own family tree, illustrates how each generation had to fight for its freedom. With each enchanting page, the Dougan family feels more like your own—and every joy and sorrow, every triumph and tragedy will touch your heart.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: American Book Publishing (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589820800
• ISBN-13: 978-1589820807
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 1.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,499,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vanished Glory is an overwhelming experience, September 5, 2003

By 

Jane T. Mccaffrey (Kansas City, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vanished Glory: A Family In America (Paperback)

From Reviewer Jane McCaffrey

Vanished Glory was an overwhelming experience for me. For a few days, I was left speechless. But I wanted to put my thoughts together, so I could tell others how important this book is and what it meant to me.

Vanished Glory was a jolting reminder of the sacrifices that were made and the blood that was spilled and what it took to build this country. Our freedom was hard fought and came at an awful price. I'm glad I was reminded of this sacrifice.

Vanished Glory is also the story of a family and how they responded when called. The Dougans were real people with flaws and failings like the rest of us. I could relate to this family. It was also the heartbreaking story of a young girl and her mother and the blows life dealt them and how they overcame them, together. When I finished Vanished Glory, I counted the many blessings that I have received in my life and thanked God for them.

Vanished Glory was also one of the most descriptive novels I have ever read. I could see everything, smell everything, experience everything. I felt like I had taken a trip back in time and indeed I had.

Thank you, Connie Lynne Smith, for introducing me to this family and the times they lived in. They will not soon be forgotten by me or anyone else who is lucky enough to read this thrilling, spellbinding story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific book!!, March 6, 2004

By 

Judith Vallejo (Overland Park, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vanished Glory: A Family In America (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. It held my interest from the first page to the last. By the time I finished it, I felt as though I knew some of the characters.

I hope Connie Lynne Smith continues to write. I enjoyed her warm, down to earth style. Since I read the book I have recommended it to my friends.

Definitely a winner!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A resounding tale of legacies handed through the generations, September 15, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vanished Glory: A Family In America (Paperback)

Beginning in the 1700's, and spanning eras up through the World Wars, Vanished Glory: A Family In America by Connie Lynne Smith is a impressively written historical novel that traces the roots, struggles, victories, and heartbreak of a family with roots in American soil since its colonial days when the Irish patriarch escaped English tyranny for life in the New World. A resounding tale of legacies handed through the generations and challenges defining each new decade, Vanished Glory is a wonderful and highly commended reading experience which documents Connie Lynne Smith as storyteller of talented originality.