House Divided

I first read this book in College 20+ years ago and have re-read it several times since. Before the internet made it easier to find copies of the book, everytime I came across a copy in a used bookstore I would buy it and give it to a friend because I didn't want the book to languish on a bookshelf unappreciated. It is a fantastic novel the follows a complex southern family throughout the entire Civil War. Be sure to also read the continuation (sequel) to the novel - "Unconquered," which follows some of the family through the reconstruction period.

This is the best book I have ever read. It has so much history of the Civil War and the reader will learn so much about this important time in our history. The characters are the pivot points for the telling of the South's history. Mr. Williams is really a genius in his technique. He includes political commentaries of the South from the perspective of the poor on up to the slave owners but done out of the mouths of the characters. He very concisely states the "reasons" for the war in a single paragraph stated several times and in different perspectives. He very exactly depicts the scenes and you truly can believe you are there viewing from afar and experiencing in reality the way life must have been for all the characters.

I fell in love with this book and thought that I should read Goned With the Wind afterwards. GWTW was not nearly as good. The detail and story telling was amazing. I would love to own a copy of this book.

This book which I picked up after reading "Come Spring" is riveting. His detail mirrors that of Kenneth Roberts whose stories of the American Revolution are also in the same category. Living in Southern Maine, K.R. is must reading. I now add B.A.W. to that category. His book has made me more interested than ever in the Civil War and the results of politicians follies which are being duplicated today with the same amount of stupidity as in the past. I highly recommend this book,

House Divided by Ben Ames Williams is an excellent fictional account of the lives of ordinary people experiencing the ravages of the Civil War in America. This rivals Gone With the Wind in its scope and character development. Of special interest is references to actual locations in Richmond, Petersburg and Williamsburg, Virginia. I did not realize there had been an edition printed in the 1980's. I have read the 1930's edition twice and would love to have a copy of my own. I'd also love to see this story on the big screen!