Escape from Andersonville: A Novel of the Civil War

I've always like Gene Hackman since I saw him in I Never Sang for My Father back in 1970 or 1971. Over the years, his acting has been entertaining. Although I've never read any of his written works, if his writing his anything like his acting, readers are in for a real treat.

"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation," wrote Henry David Thoreau, and one such man is Captain Nathan Parker, Captain of the Fifth Michigan, dubbed "Parker's Rangers." And just when he thought that the insanity of war could not get any worse, he and his men are captured and sent to the dreaded Confederate prison camp at Andersonville, Georgia. Now, Captain Parker's situation becomes truly desperate - he must escape from Andersonville, and free his men. He finds himself making alliances with men whom he never would have considered before, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and these are indeed terribly desperate times! Overall, I found this to be a very interesting book. Just when you think that it is over, or at least should be, the book actually picks up speed, with the action and suspense reaching higher and higher. Plus, I must say that I liked the development of the characters, particularly Marcel Lafarge, a man of infinite complexity and searing pain. Yep, I really liked this book; it kept me interested all the way to the end. Now, is this book 100% historically accurate? I can't say, but I do agree that you should realize that this is fiction, rather than pure history. And, as far as fiction goes, it's great. I really enjoyed this book and do not hesitate to recommend it.

Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan have written another great book, probably their best to date. A dedicated officer after escaping from Andersonville tries to come back and rescue his men. Set in the turbulent last year of the Civil War, the authors have successfully mixed a not too glamorous part of our history with a "Dirty Dozen" type adventure. They have captured the flavor of the confusing times and highlighted the honor of two different types of men. Definitely a good read and the authors have gotten better with each book. I am looking forward to their next.

Love it - I think the characters were colorful and the historic contribution strong and accurate. Very happy to know Gene Hackman is writing and offering us continued great works of his art.