Echoes of Andersonville

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Summary: A Book Full of Meaning, Hope and Love.
Review: Echoes of Andersonville is a beautiful portrait of the Civil War. It's about two young boys so different, yet so similiar. Andrew Parker is fifteen years of age and an Union soldier. He has no faith in Christ or God. He cannot understand how his friend can belive so strongly in the Lord and Christ. Then, there is Joshua Smith, whom is a prison guard in Andersonville Prison and sixteen years old. Andersonville was one of the most horrid and nightmarish prisons of the South for Union soldiers. Joshua is cruel, and full of a burning hatred that was set within his soul. He,like Andrew, does not believe in Christ nor God. Joshua's own fellow guards even fear him. Andrew Parker is then taken as a prisoner of war to Andersonville Prison, where the boy meets a man named John Brady, nicknamed Parson John. Parson John has a strong belief in Christ and God. He has such a powerful faith in the Lord, a faith that is so undeniable. Parson John's faith changes both the darkness of Joshua's and Andrew's futures from dark to light with his beautiful and strong faith in the Lord. At the very same time, this novel tells of an unforgettable story. A story of two young boys that are in the very midst of an era and place that would forever scar American history. Echoes of Andersonville brings you into Andersonville prison without stepping a foot out of your home. It's a story full of meaning, hope and love. For this story shows that no matter one's age or physical strength, one can conquer and live thru every obstacle that blocks them and that one can do this by having three things hope, faith and the most powerful force of all...love. Echoes of Andersonville deserves a place of honor not only here, but in the Kingdom of the Lord.

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Summary: Good War Story With a Surprise Twist
Review: I really liked this story because I enjoy the Civil War very much. Unlike some other books I've read that don't portray the very real face of the war, this book pulls no punches when describing combat and the horrors of the battlefield. It describes Civil War combat as the awful experience it really was, shocking, gory and sad.I didn't know anything about Civil War prisons and had never even heard of Andersonville and all the men that died there. This book was very informative and provided lots of factual information to support the storyline, which made it even more interesting. I like authors who know what they are talking about and Mr. Dean is a re-enactor! I really learned alot of history while still enjoying the interesting plot. Andy, Josh and Parson John are all believable characters that seemed so real. Even though it's fiction, it's obvious that this actually could have happened. What sets this book apart from others I've read is the key element of faith that runs throughout it. Even though it's full of plenty of death and sorrow, and portrays the Civil War as it really was, it presents a spiritual dimension that is often overlooked. But it's not preachy or contrived. No matter what age you are, if you love the Civil War, you will probably like this book. It's easy to read and hard to put down once you've started. Parents can feel good about it because there is no bad language or suggestive material to offend young readers. I will recommend Echoes of Andersonville to all my friends who like good war stories. I think this would be a terrific movie!

Rating:
Summary: Echoes Of Andersonville
Review: This is a very engaging book that is a pleasure to read. Quite frankly I had a had time putting it down. The story of how our Lord used the horrors of Andersonville to lead men from both the Blue and the Grey to Christ is wonderful and uplifting. Additionally, for those interested in history, the author appears to have a firm grasp of the events and historical conditions of that era.

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Summary: A Lifelong Dream Come True (October 22, 1999)
Review: Writing my first book is truly a lifetime dream-come-true forme. Having done a lot of advertising copywriting in past jobs, mysecret desire has always been to write a novel. But I could never find the time to actually sit down and begin the tedious process. Then, quite expectedly in 1996, I lost my job of 19 years. Suddenly I found myself with all the time in the world. It was during those three months of unemployment (an otherwise frightening experience for a primary breadwinner!) that I wrote Echoes of Andersonville. At the time, I thought losing my long-time job of so many years was the most terrible thing I could imagine. But now I realize that it was all part of the Divine Plan and that it was this "gift of time" that allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of writing a book. Echoes of Andersonville is truly a testament to the saying that "God works in mysterious ways." Although targeted to young teenage boys (my own 12-year-old son was my constant inspiration), Echoes of Andersonville is really not strictly a "children's" book. While I tried to use terms and vocabulary that would be comfortable to young readers, many adults have read the book and enjoyed it very much. I've even received comments from several adult women (with no interest in the Civil War) who said they were so moved at certain parts that they cried. But don't let all that pathos scare you off guys- there's still plenty of "blood and guts" and action-packed battles to satisfy your warrior instincts! Parents who are concerned about the material their children read (I'm a parent of three teens myself) will be pleased to know that there is no obscene language or inappropriate adult themes in the book. Since it is a story about war, killing and death, I pulled no punches when describing the battles and the horrible conditions inside the prison. But unlike most of today's popular entertainment which exploits violence and sex as an end in itself, I included nothing gratuitous or sensational just for shock value. Any violence within the context of the war is entirely relevant and credible. The book is simply a realistic, honest look at the tragedy of war and prison life through the innocent eyes of a typical teenager from the 1860's. Sometimes it's shocking and disturbing, but the story is entirely based on historical fact. Whether you're a Civil War fanatic like myself, or just have a casual interest (or none at all!) in this period of history, Echoes of Andersonville offers an exciting, easy-to-read look into one of the war's little-known facts. It's almost unthinkable that this actually happened right here in America only 135 years ago but it's true. Regardless if you're a proud "Billy Yank" or a loyal "Johnny Reb," I hope you can set aside your own pre-conceived notions and prejudices (NO it's not "just another piece of Yankee propaganda") and simply enjoy the story. After all, that's what reading a good novel is all about isn't it?