Rating: 
Summary: Slow to Start, Rolls at the End-A Harrowing Look at War
Review: A few additional thoughts to add to the reviews below. Coyle's beginning is the clear cut weak point in the book. The premise of the book is tried and true: two brothers on opposite sides of the Civil War. Coyle's attempt to create a believeable conflict capable of dividing the two brothers onto opposite side seems forced. I just don't buy the beginning of the book. Additionally, it takes over 300 pages before I felt that either brother had much of a personality. Both James (the Reb) and Kevin (the Yank) are indistinct from each other and seem like rather bland people. The supporting characters are far more interesting. I would recommend that fans of Civil War literature and/or war stories not be turned off by the beginning of the book (or Coyle's occassional choppy writing style: he switches viewpoints suddenly, for example). Coyle's talents are most apparent when he writes about the various battles and the life in the camps. Here, Coyle's storytelling is terrific. Each battle is told through the eyes of either James or Kevin; truly a first person account of the battles. The result was that I felt as if I stood next to James as he faced down a charge. Some of the battle scenes are so wonderfully described that my hands perspired as I read them. I believe that the book is probably more enjoyable for people who have a basic understanding of the various policial, social, and military conflicts of the war. Coyle does not spend a large amount of time describing why Lee charged up the middle at Gettysburg, although the troops briefly debate the reason for the charge. Another example is the death of Stonewall Jackson in the Wilderness. Little is mentioned in the scenes after his death other than to mentioned what effect it had on the chain of command. Colye isn't trying to give a history of the war, so don't expect one. This is a story of the men who fought it the Civil War. From this perspective, it makes sense that the soldiers don't see the "big picture" of a battle. Overall, I look forward to the next book and would recommend this book to people interested in the Civil War.
Rating: 
Summary: outstanding
Review: Could not put this book down! Great story line, and very vivid picture of the battles. Can't wait to read the sequel, can only hope it is as good as the first. Rock on Harold!
Rating:
Summary: outstanding
Review: Could not put this book down! Great story line, and very vivid picture of the battles. can't wait to read the sequel. Rock on Harold!
Rating:
Summary: Great fictional account of the war as it might have been!
Review: Coyle uses documentation of real events and people to create this fictional account of "Brother vs Brother" in the War Between the States. This tale of Kevin and James Bannon, who are both manipulated into fighting by the machinations of their greedy father, is an excellent story of soldiering on both sides of the war as it might have happened. An entertaining read for the fiction fan AND students of the War.
Rating: 
Summary: Hokey 'brother against brother' story - but it's still good
Review: Coyle's storyline is pretty hackneyed - brothers fight over the love of a girl, then one joins the Union as the other joins the Confederacy. The Reb brother hooks up with old Tom Jackson's unit, natch, and sees some of the most interesting action of the war as part of the Stonewall Brigade. And of course the Federal brother gets separated from his unit in the final climactic battle, placing him in the thick of the action - guess who he runs into across the lines? It's twists like this that makes me think that this book is one plot device after another, rather than a cohesive story. True, amazing coincidences did occur in the Civil War. You'll see lots of them in this book, that's sure, as it moves towards its seemingly preordained conclusion. In spite of this, "Look Away" is an entertaining read. The book keeps a smart pace and provides an engaging soldier-level view of the action. Coyle renders the battle scenes in particularly skillful fashion, as well as the ordinary dialog between the soldiers while in camp or on the march.
Rating:
Summary: No frills or fancy edges just an entertaining read
Review: I have not read any other works by Harold Coyle, thus I am unable to compare 'Look Away' to anything else he has written. I'm not sure that here I'm at a disadvantage or an advantage, but what I do have is a view based on this book alone. 'Look Away' follows a much written about theme, that of brothers fighting on opposite sides during the Civil War. In this case it's the Bannon brothers - James and Kevin. Both are ostracised by their communities and spend much of the novel struggling not only against the enemy but also the prejudices of others. I enjoyed the book, not for offering me a great insight into the war but rather as simply a well-written piece of fiction. At times the plot is a little predictable, as is the conclusion but I feel that this didn't take away from the core of the book which entertained me. The book moves at double speed with hardly a moment spare and while this builds a sense of momentum it can at time leave the reader wanting something different. I would have liked a little more historical scene setting to give the events a context. This can be applied to a general level for example perhaps to include something about the political and social background of the war and on a specific level with regards to particular battles or campaigns. This was omitted during the story line and could have left those new to the war and its history a confused. Despite this the battle scenes are well written if a little familiar - read a few novels regarding the war and you will come across a full description of how to load a rifle musket - 'Look Away' wasn't inaccurate with such descriptions but nor was it unique. Sometimes I don't want to read deep, meaningful books full of symbolism and hidden metaphors. If this is something you want then 'Look Away' may not be the book for you but on the other hand if you want a novel that is refreshing in the simplicity of the story telling with no frills and fancy edges, then I'd encourage you to read 'Look Away'.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful look at the Civil War
Review: In packing for a trip to the Antietam National Battlefield, I included a copy of Harold Coyle's novel, Look Away. The book is the first in a series of two Civil War novels, depicting the relationship of two brothers, one fighting for the South and one fighting for the North. Each brother is dealing with an overbearing father and a shocking death that initiated their separation from their home in New Jersey. James, the elder brother, is sent to the Virginia Military Institute where he finds himself an outsider amongst the ranks before joining up with the Northern Virginia Army. Kevin stays in New Jersey to attend Rutgers and eventually join the fight against the South. Each brother, over time, is able to discover who they are and who they want to be, despite their beginnings, as they take part in a deadly war. Coyle does a great job of making the battle scenes user-friendly and is also extremely detailed in Civil War history. I thought this was a terrific novel and have already picked up a copy of the sequel, Until the End.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful look at the Civil War
Review: In packing for a trip to the Antietam National Battlefield, I included a copy of Harold Coyle's novel, Look Away. The book is the first in a series of two Civil War novels, depicting the relationship of two brothers, one fighting for the South and one fighting for the North. Each brother is dealing with an overbearing father and a shocking death that initiated their separation from their home in New Jersey. James, the elder brother, is sent to the Virginia Military Institute where he finds himself an outsider amongst the ranks before joining up with the Northern Virginia Army. Kevin stays in New Jersey to attend Rutgers and eventually join the fight against the South. Each brother, over time, is able to discover who they are and who they want to be, despite their beginnings, as they take part in a deadly war. Coyle does a great job of making the battle scenes user-friendly and is also extremely detailed in Civil War history. I thought this was a terrific novel and have already picked up a copy of the sequel, Until the End.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Phenomenal. I got so involved with the characters that it was like being a part of history. This novel depicts the horrendous rift that separates two brothers and a family as they pick sides in the American Civil War. It was emotional, gut-wrenching and beautiful all in one. The second installment was even better, if that can be believed. This is a must read for all civil war buffs or even everyone who loves a great read. Pick it up, you won't be sorry!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Phenomenal. I got so involved with the characters that it was like being a part of history. This novel depicts the horrendous rift that separates two brothers and a family as they pick sides in the American Civil War. It was emotional, gut-wrenching and beautiful all in one. The second installment was even better, if that can be believed. This is a must read for all civil war buffs or even everyone who loves a great read. Pick it up, you won't be sorry!
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