The Other Side: A Novel of the Civil War

Rating:
Summary: The Other Side: A Novel of the Civil War
Review: I found this book to be dark, gritty and provocative. It accurately depicts the western front during the Civil War. McColley does a stupendous job in creating believable, if not disturbing, characters that make you question the darker side of human nature. One of the best books I have read in a long time!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but flawed
Review: McColley succeeds in making us like some pretty unloveable characters by most standards, and creates a really cool ghost. The problem that I had with this story of a young man who joins Quantrill's Raiders is that I found the characters' reactions to be mostly unrealistic. Jacob, the main character, acts and feels in ways that makes no sense. Also, the end of the book was unnecessarily depressing -- I don't always object to sad endings but this was just sort of... flat. The Other Side certainly has its good points but I can't wholeheartedly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Good Tale and interesting too!
Review: Mr. McColley has written an interesting story about the Civil War. A much different point of view then most books on this subject. At times it becomes tedious but he always brings you back to a good solid story.