Red Cap

Rating:
Summary: Great History Novel!
Review: I personally loved "Red Cap." If you're reading this for school, you (or your teacher) picked a good choice! I even wrote a basic summary of the book (if you're writing a book report or something and you just can't think of what to write!). You can thank me later. ;)

This is a story about a young Yankee drummer, Ransom J. Powell that left his home because all of his friends were signing up for the army. Ransom wasn't allowed by his parents to become a drummer in the army because of his lack of height, and because he was too young. He left home without telling his family to become one of the Union Army's drummers. He said that he was 15 when he was really only 13, and he was very short, so some people had suspicions. He didn't think or know that war would be the terrible, horror occurrence that it is.

Ransom's home is in Frostburg, Maryland. Mostly, the book takes place in Georgia, Virginia, and Maryland. Ransom traveled to Piedmont, on the Maryland-Virginia border to sign up for the Union Army. This story took place in 1862; during the civil war period. Later in the story, Ransom is captured in a side battle (known now as the Battle of Moorefield Junction in January of 1864) and is shipped by train into Libby Prison camp, Andersonville from Richmond. The most important historical people mentioned in the book are Ransom Powell (Red Cap), Lewis Jones, and Captain Wirz.

One of the 2 most important conflicts in the novel is the fighting against the rebs. The rebs constantly attacked the Union Army when the Union Army traveled through (Winchester) Virginia, and on the steep, rocky soil of Droop Mountain. They even killed Ransom's friend Danny, who was also a drummer, and at age 14, lied about his age. Ransom was very upset about this and had a hard time overcoming his friends' death.

Another important conflict was at Andersonville. Ransom was against the nature, his shelter, and the fatigue that his body suffered. To him, it was like a nightmare; he was starving, not clothed well, and the guards abused him. There were also mosquitoes and deadly blood-thirsty centipedes, which only added to the problem-Ransom felt terrible all the time.

The most important decision in this novel is when Ransom decides to leave his home, like his friends, to join the Union Army, at only age 13 and barely over 4 and a half feet tall. Even though his friends were killed in the war, he wanted to go too, to prove himself. He left at night when his parents were sleeping to head for Piedmont.

The novel ended when the Union Army wanted to trade naval prisoners. Ransom lied and said he was one and was sent back home. Ransom also was given money-close to a hundred and twenty dollars-for his fighting in war and every day he was in Libby Prison. There weren't any unresolved issues-Ransom was happy because soon he was going to be sent home. Ransom was shipped back by a fourth-class carriage that traveled to Cumberland, Maryland so he could go see his family. He departed from Hank, his friend, at the end of the story and wished him the best of luck.

Rating:
Summary: I, Frankie, Really Liked this Book
Review: Civil War. What an interesting subject. "Red Cap" was a pretty good book overall. The setting was scarce, the plot was brutal, and the characters were pretty scetchy. But the overall texture was intense and different. A mixture of the main character's emotions and everyday struggles create impacts on the people around him. I would have never had the courage to survive the Confederate prison. The character, Ransom J. Powell, and the book "Red Cap" are one of a kind.

Rating:
Summary: Civil War
Review: Civil War. What an interesting subject. "Red Cap" was a pretty good book overall. The setting was scarce, the plot was brutal, and the characters were pretty scetchy. But the overall texture was intense and different. A mixture of the main character's emotions and everyday struggles create impacts on the people around him. I would have never had the courage to survive the Confederate prison. The character, Ransom J. Powell, and the book "Red Cap" are one of a kind.

Rating:
Summary: civil war book
Review: I had to read this book for my L.A and S.S class in school. The story is about a young boy that lies about his age to get into the army. He becomes a drummer for his company. He is captured in a side battle and is taken into a prison camp. Will he die in the prision camp at a young age? Orw ill ge get back home to his family? This is a book about the civil was and it shows what life is like as a prisioner of was. The story has a good plot and is intersting to see what life is like in the army and in a prision camp. I would recemmend theis book to anyone who is interedted in the civil war. It shows what life was like at Andersville and prision when you are a prisioner of was. It was like they were treated like slaves, they barely got enough food to live. Most of the prisiones would die.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK, FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I LOVE the book Red Cap by G. Clifton Wisler. The characters are so believable and I admire Red Cap so much because I am 13 also and I could never survive if I had to live without food for lots of days and see my friend die right before my eyes. I could never have the courage that R.J. had and I admire him for it. This is a fantastic reference to the Civil War and a great book for you to read.

Rating:
Summary: the book was very believable even though it was fictional
Review: i loved the book even though there wasn't anything about the confederat solidiers of alabama after leaving camp sumpter OVERALL it was a great book

Rating:
Summary: A good book to tell about the civil war
Review: I read this book in about 4 days it was so good. It really told me what it is like to be a drummer boy in prision.

Rating:
Summary: It is a neat book
Review: It is pretty interesting, but it is no surprise that I like this book, as I scramble for every book on a war that I can find, as I have read the whole library out. it is pretty good!

Rating:
Summary: a very slow written story
Review: My class had to read this book and write a report about it.It took me four times reading it to page 38 to the beginning until i understood it and could follow the story without falling asleep.It did help me understand why war is not a game and it got really interesting when they were in prison.I would not recommend this book to people who like suspence and killing because this book is as suspenceless as any book can ever get.

Rating:
Summary: a good read
Review: Overall I liked the book, as I am a fan of civil war stories.
The one part that was different from other books Ive read on this subject is that redcap was treated well by the prison guards for the most part. I dont think the enemy would have been so kind during this brutal period in our countrys history.

Maybe his age was a factor.
Otherwise I would recommend this book for fans of the genre only