Joseph Altshelter novels?

I have read the entire Civil War series and was quite impressed with the details in the books and the portrayals of the major generals from both sides of the war. My son loved the books. I found the first ones a bit slow moving but by the final books in the series I was hooked and had to keep reading to find out what would happen.

The first book opens with two cousins in Kentucky. The state secessions leading to the war are just starting to happen. One cousin joins the Confederate army and the other joins the Union army. The first book continues to follow the cousin on the Confederate side and describes the events in the opening days of the war, including the inauguration of Jefferson Davis.

The second book follows the Union cousin and his experiences. Each book after that alternates between sides of the war until the final book which follows each side to the conclusion of the war.

Each book describes army life, at least one major Civil War battle, the main historical figures in the war, and the general population’s reaction to the war. Though the battle descriptions are not graphic, they are battle scenes and there are descriptions of men and horses being shot dead. There are also scenes of the living combing the battlefields after the battle for the dead and wounded. Obviously not pretty, but I thought handled well and showed the effects of war without being gory.

Just as a word of warning: There are a couple of scenes that are a bit odd. Both cousins at different times come across a family in the Kentucky hills. There is a very old woman who knew the cousins’ ancestors who settled the area long ago. She thinks that both cousins are their ancestors and speaks to them as such. She also makes a prediction about one of the cousins coming back to the cabin in a certain manner. These scenes are minor to the story but are one of the reasons that we put the suggested grade level as 7th-12th, assuming that children in that age span can handle them.

Altsheler also wrote books on the French and Indian War and World War I, as well as many other books. Someday I hope to read those as well.

I hope that helps you decide if Altsheler may be a good fit for your family.