| In February 1864, the Civil War was well underway.
Alex Cooper had two goals in mind as she signed up for active duty -- finding her
beloved husband Joshua, who had been away for over 2 years and making sure no one realized
that she was a woman. She managed to get as close to where she believed Joshua would
be, then made it her sole ambition to find him. Her plan was to see him alive then
head home to wait out the war. But things don't always go as planned. In the months that followed, Alex lived the war just as the men did.
She ate, fought and slept with the men of her company, learning as she went that
war was hell. As time went on, her disguise became more and more difficult to
maintain, but she knew that if anyone found out she was a woman, she'd be dead.
She learned other things as well though -- the odd bunch of men in
her company were the most loyal of friends, and one in particular was Alex's rock through
the fighting. While she'd always considered Joshua her one and only love, she was
starting to realize that her feelings for LeMay were quickly moving past friendship.
In ONE MAN'S WAR, the horrors of the American civil war are
graphically played out in the emotionally charged account of one woman's experience.
From the start you want to shake Alex and tell her to go home, but you know she
wouldn't go -- she's a strong, honorable woman doing what she feels is her only course of
action. Watching her deal with the men in her squad is amazing -- the situations
they face are the catalysts for the growth in their relationships, and despite the secrets
they hide from one another, you feel you know these people as they know each other.
While the story is a worthy read for the history -- the author is
obviously passionate about the era -- it's these relationships that make A MAN'S WAR so
rich and satisfying. The graphic scenes, the depth of characters and the action
charged storyline make this a can't-put-down book, one that comes highly recommended from
me.
Sue Waldeck, for The Road to Romance
February 7, 2003
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