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Summary: An Undiscovered Gem: "Marching Through Culpeper"
Review: I just completed Virginia Morton's "Marching Through Culpeper." I found it a delightful book about a southern town in Virginia that endured the hardships of being caught between the two armies during the Civil War.As a native Californian who taught American history to 5th graders, I now have a different perspective of the southern states and their part in the Civil War. "Marching Through Culpeper" is about real people and some fictional characters too. It is a book based on well documented fact, and is also a wonderful love story. It compares favorablly with "Gone With the Wind" except the main character, Constance, is a much more admirable woman than Scarlett. It would make a great movie.
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Summary: Civil War Brought to Life With Great Romances to Boot!
Review: I loved this book because it brought the Civil War to life with great romances to boot. Having just read Joseph Ellis's "Founding Brothers" about the founding of our nation, I found "Marching Through Culpeper" to be a nice follow-up novel. Together, these books highlight the complex issues and long brewing tensions that brought on the Civil War. Ms. Morton does a great job of providing the Southern perspective on the war, which is almost never presented well in Civil War histories. How can one really understand the Civil War without this perspective? As Ms. Morton points out, 95% of Southerners did not own slaves and only 1% were large slaveowners. So why did so many Southerners fight so ardently for the Confederacy? Why did Robert E. Lee, who did not approve of slavery, lead this fight? Read Ms. Morton's book and you'll understand much more.
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Summary: Didn't want the book to end
Review: I read a lot of fiction, an average of 1-3 books a week, and historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Marching Through Culpeper is probably the best historical fiction novel I've ever read. Often it is difficult to separate fact from fiction in this genre, but that is not the case with this book. Virginia Morton's research is so thorough and well documented the reader can be confident that the historical facts presented in the book are accurate. The educational content of the book is skillfully woven into the story and much of it is presented through conversations between characters so it is never pedantic or boring. Most of the characters were real people and the fictional characters are very realistic and I was truly interested in their lives and cared about what happened to them. The book helped me understand the social and political climate of the time as well as the true causes of the war. The story is very entertaining and I didn't want the book to end.
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Summary: Marching Through Culpeper
Review: I recently moved to the east coast from California and was given a gift book called, "Marching Through Culpeper". Prior to reading this wonderful book, my exposure to Civil War history was limited to history in school and a few movies. It was always incomprehensible for me to understand the southern perspective until now. Reading Virginia Beard Morton's book opened my eyes to the thoughtless ravaging of innocent people, their homes and their land. Yet, this book is so much more than about the horrors of war -- it's above all, a wonderful love story -- love of the south, family, and way of life. It's without question the best romance story that I've ever read. I loved the central character, Constance who was beautiful, strong, courageous and ahead of her time. And the fact that Constance is based on an actual women's life during that period, adds to the charm. My favorite character is Frank Stringfellow and his humor and ability to overcome obstacles under the most dangerous situations. Ms. Morton illuminates a vision of honor, pride and courage of the gentle southern people who sacrificed everything. This book is a "must read" for everyone -- but especially women -- whether interested in the Civil War or not. I can't wait to see it when it gets made into a movie!
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Summary: Marching Through Culpeper
Review: I recently moved to the east coast from California and was given a gift book called, "Marching Through Culpeper". Prior to reading this wonderful book, my exposure to Civil War history was limited to history in school and a few movies. It was always incomprehensible for me to understand the southern perspective until now. Reading Virginia Beard Morton's book opened my eyes to the thoughtless ravaging of innocent people, their homes and their land. Yet, this book is so much more than about the horrors of war -- it's above all, a wonderful love story -- love of the south, family, and way of life. It's without question the best romance story that I've ever read. I loved the central character, Constance who was beautiful, strong, courageous and ahead of her time. And the fact that Constance is based on an actual women's life during that period, adds to the charm. My favorite character is Frank Stringfellow and his humor and ability to overcome obstacles under the most dangerous situations. Ms. Morton illuminates a vision of honor, pride and courage of the gentle southern people who sacrificed everything. This book is a "must read" for everyone -- but especially women -- whether interested in the Civil War or not. I can't wait to see it when it gets made into a movie!
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Summary: Simply a good read of fantastic local history
Review: I usually don't read historical accounts that have used some "poetic license", but Virginia Morton has taken an area that I live in and has made it's history breathe. My mother lived on the "Fleetwood Hill" farm mentioned so may times in her book. Mother's stories of shot and shell, rifles, uniforms, and other associated Civil War items found in and around the farm house she lived in during the '30s found life in "Marching through Culpeper". The Battle of Brandy Station was most poignant and sorrowful. Of course, being a native of Rappahannock Station (now Remington), I couldn't help but watch for home references as well. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Best authentic Civil War saga since GWTW.
Review: In Marching Through Culpeper, Virginia Beard Morton describes how the quiet Southern community of Culpeper, Virginia struggles to survive given its strategic location in the path of contending armies during the Civil War. In the midst of chaotic conditions, a chance meeting of a young female resident of Culpeper and a Union cavalry captain evoles into a relationship of mutual admiration and attraction. These as the ingredients the author uses successfully to combine extensive military action and complex human drama within an authentic wartime saga. This is a rare achievement for a first-time novelist. The only viable comparison that comes to mind is Margaret Mitchell's initial effort when she penned Gone With the Wind in the 1930's. Extensive research is reflected in the author's descriptions of military operations that occurred in and around the wartime Culpeper community, including at Cedar Mountain, Brandy Station and Culpeper Court House. Along with depictions of the ever-present conflict, she relates a tale of people coping with the daily ordeal of living under an invader's rule. Gone With the Wind succeeded by featuring self-centered and impetuous Scarlett O'Hara. Yet Scarlett has competition as a memorable character from the lovely, independent, and adventurous Constance Rixey Armstrong, Marching Through Culpeper's protagonist. The daughter of prominent residents of Culpeper, Constance rarely leaves the stage in this tale. She is an impassioned supporter of the South with a strong desire to sustain the Confederacy. When she crosses paths with a young captain in blue from Portland, Maine named Aaron Adams Ames, however, her perspective on the war develops complications. This novel is recommended for anyone who enjoys authentic wartime history blended with an intricate yet compelling romance. Take an enjoyable excursion while Marching Through Culpeper to learn how Constance Armstrong deals with a critical personal decision about love and marriage, and how a small community in Virginia survived the ravages of Civil War. Even the final scenes are filled with the type of poignant drama we recall so well from Gone With the Wind.
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Summary: Marching Through Culpeper...Destined to be a classic!
Review: Marching Through Culpeper is as good as Gone with the Wind! I enjoyed it more because it was so factual. Virginia B. Morton has written a compelling tale about real people and true events woven together with a few fictional characters. The way Morton handled the time changes gave the book a sense of immediacy. She brought it all to life for me. Once I got into this book, it grabbed me and tugged my heartstrings. I cried, I cheered-I couldn't put it down! The romance was exciting and tantalizing (not trashy), leaving the details to the reader's imagination. Don't worry parents, this book is appropriate for you teenage daughters. It was refreshing and inspiring to read about moral God-fearing people. Above all else, this is a touching love story with an ending I will not soon forget. Frank Stringfellow was my favorite non-fictional character. His antics again prove that old adage that truth is more exciting than fiction. The interplay of jealousies among the Confederate generals was an eye opener for me. Wonderful Sadie and that handsome Aaron Ames were my favorite fictional characters. The book was incredibly well balanced. On one hand I watched Stringfellow's escapades and battle scenes. On the other were Contance's romances and the valor of the women. This timeless story will be loved by a universal audience-male and female-young and old. You don't have to be a Civil War buff to enjoy it. I'm amazed at the amount of history, romance and adventure Morton packed into 544 pages. Because of it's length this book is equivalent to two normal novels and well worth the price. When I first saw the beautiful cover, I said, "If this book's is as good as the cover, it will be a jewel." It's better than the cover! Buy this treasure for your family. Marching Through Culpeper is destined to become a classic and some one's bound to make a fantastic movie of it!
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Summary: Marching Through Culpeper
Review: Marching Through Culpeper is truly one of the best novels I've ever read and I believe it has what it takes to be a classic! Facts are skillfully blended into a pure and beautiful story of love, courage, valor, and ingenuity. This powerful book stirred strong emotions within me and I had difficulty putting it down. In a subtle way, it educated me about the controversies and idealism of the Civil War, and provided ample food for thought. The book brings out the harsh realities of war through stories of ordinary people in Culpeper, making the reader wonder if there are really any winners in war. It is hard to pick favorite characters because I liked so many, but I particularly enjoyed the ingenuity of Frank Stringfellow and was touched by the love, loyalty and devotion of Sadie. Marching Through Culpeper is a great read! Don't miss it!
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Summary: Didn't want it to end!!
Review: Ms. Morton has done an excellent job of making you feel like you are living the story! Two of the mentioned plantations are right out my back window, and I live in a schoolhouse built on land deeded by the Rixey's. Every element of the book is correct; i.e. the town of Culpeper and surrounding areas and battles---she makes you "feel" the battles and the hardships of the families. The book is wonderful civil war reading for everyone, especially beginners---there is just enough battlefield description i.e. size of troops and cannon fire, etc.,that it is compelling reading for every civil war buff and an excellent insight into the living conditions of the civilians that had to endure the war. I highly recommend Ms. Morton's book---suitable for all ages.
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