A wonderful work of historical fiction..... As I read through the pages of this book, I was taken back to a time I had never known, other than from reading about in history books, but it soon became a place I was very comfortable being. The characters are vivid with a depth of reality. And, as a diamond has many facets, so does the work of R. Dale Bunch. His ability to turn the experiences of his family during the Civil War into a poignant and earthy novel, not only shows his creativity as an author, but since he has cleverly summarized each chapter with a poem, his talent as a poet is exhibited, as well. Except for "Lasca" the Texas folklore poem, all poetry is written by the author. Here is a sample of the poetry you will find in his book.
Leaving
It's hard to leave the friends you've found;
Change in life isn't always fair.
You set your sights on familiar ground,
Pack up your horse and leave for there.
But wait; what about the love you feel?
Time ran out, changed everything.
Back down the road you steal,
Feeling the loss, enduring the sting.
In August of 1862, the Hammond family was removed from the only home they'd ever known, by Federal soldiers..........and the story continues in Hardin's Legacy ~ Endeavor to Do Right.
An excerpt:
"Hardin could feel the alertness in the little horse. He sensed danger.
'Yeah, better get going. It's a long way to Quincy. It can be dangerous, too.' The man had a smirk on his face when he said it.
Hardin felt fear deep inside. if they tried to rob him now, he had a chance with his rifle. But if they followed him, they would most likely come after him in the dark.
Hardin turned and started walking Brownie down the road. The men sat on their horses without even pretending to continue in the direction they had been traveling. They were still there talking to each other when Hardin and Brownie rounded the bend in the road.
'They will probably follow me,' Hardin thought.
He glanced back now and then and saw dust in the distance from their horses. He would have to be ready after dark. He was sure that they planned to rob him; they probably meant to kill him, too. Out there in the country, no one would ever catch them. He was in a tight spot."
About the Author:
R. Dale Bunch is the former president of Midstate College in Peoria, Illinois. His love for nature is shared by his daughter, two sons, three step-sons, and their families. It is no surprise then, that he would live on a 40-acre farm reminiscent of the Missouri landscape that he loved to roam as a young boy.
This novel may be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking here.
Enjoy,
The Ethereal Chick
I'm a history fan.I couldn't even tell you my favorite era because I'm fascinated by them all. Thank you for bring this to my attention. can't wait to read it.
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