Member Reviews
It was possible that God sent them the terrible war as punishment for the offense of slavery and that the war could be a mighty scourge to rid them of it. People north and south alike hoped, and fervently prayed, that the war would swiftly pass away, but if God willed that it should continue "until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword," they must accept that the Lord's judgment was true and righteous. With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace amount ourselves and with all nations. Abraham Lincoln.
Seeing the most brutal trial the United States faced as a young nation thru the eyes of Mrs. Grant and her slave. Jule and Julia grew up together as fast friends. You see their friendship however, you all so see how Julia took for granted that friendship. Jule knowing the difference of races and Julia not understanding but accepting until after the great war. I appreciated the history and how it was brought forth. Julia became Mrs. Grant and supported her husband when he fought for the North and eventually became a well favored President.
The friendship between Jule and Julia came to a tension when Julia could not see the dehumanization of what slavery did. With the uncertainty of her future, Jule ran away. Julia's family never pursued her. Did Julia ever come to the realization of what slavery did? I think with the help of her husband and what the war brought, it did. I was caught with the process and how things changed for the country. The two women had much in common than not. The only difference was standing. One was free and the other was not. It is a great reminder to stand up for freedom and what our country went thru. Let us never forget.
A special thank you to Penquin Group and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Sorry I was not able to read you book but it went to archive before I could get to it. Sorry once again.
is was an excellent book! I found it fascinating and especially liked the colorful depiction of General Grant and his wife Julia and their families.
It was also interesting to learn about Julia 's slave Jule and her life and ultimate successes after she ran away. I kept hoping that an encounter would occur in their future that would result in forgiveness and reconciliation. I was surprised that Julia spent so much of her time after marriage following her husband wherever he was called to serve, even during the war and battles. Theirs was a beautiful love story despite major differences--Julia 's family owned slaves, and Ulysses' were abolitionists. Jule also had a special love story, although she experienced more difficulties than Julia did.
This author writes historical fiction so well and makes actual historical events come alive. I loved this book and heartily recommend it to others who enjoy this genre. I look forward to more books of the same type by Chiaverini.