The Sands of Pride: A Novel of the Civil War

It's fascinating to me that a small charge of nautical (and semi-nautical) Civil War novels has recently reached the book store shelves after the subject's near neglect for decades. Mr. Trotter's first book of a new series does justice to the subject and alongside of James L. Nelson's "Glory in the Name" will serve to sate any Civil War nautical buff on the subject. Mr. Trotter quite obviously has the historical chops as well as a the knowhow to construct an engaging characters and a moving, riveting plot. The follow up to "Sands of Pride" is due out any day now, so grab them both. The second in Nelson's series is also due soon, so now is the time to cast anchor with a host of great American characters and two great writers.

I enjoyed reading about the Civil War from the perspective of North Carolina since most of the attention in books from this era is usually focused on Virginia or South Carolina. The only problem I had was the number of characters to keep track of--good thing there was a "Cast List" in the front. Even though the text was a bit technical at times, the prose was refreshingly adult. Can't wait for the conclusion!

The two most recent reader reviews of the trade paperback edition of SANDS OF PRIDE were very gratifying; my thanks to the readers. For reasons too opaque to explain here, the book's hardback publisher made a plausible *marketing* decision NOT to include the words "Volume One" anywhere in the text (although the clear implication at the end is that there MUST be a sequel coming.) This was my only serious argument with Carroll & Graf and my superb editor, Mr. Philip Turner, during an intense four-year relationship, so I did not dig in my heels about the matter. But, just so you'll know: Yes, there is a sequel; I just finished revising the ms. on July 27, and yes indeed, it will carry the story of these heroes, rogues, and Steel-Magnolia ladies through the second half of the Civil War. The title is THE FIRES OF PRIDE, and hardback release date is mid-November. All the myriad strands and characters' fates do finally converge in the epic battle for Fort Fisher (late Dec. 1864 - early Jan., 1865), the largest amphibious campaign in US Navy history until Guadalcanal. I hope you'll find the climax suitably thunderous... ... Thank you for your kind attention. Bill Trotter

This is a great novel which gives the readers a lot of historical depth, a huge buffet of viewpoint characters, well realized dialogue, and a dizzying array of story threads to keep you entertained. Trotter's writing is superb and it's about time someone detailed North Carolina's exploits during the Civil War. My favorite parts were about the adventures of a young Yankee naval officer, Wil Cushing, and about Gov Zeb Vance. Vance especially has so much personality, you can feel it oozing off the page. This is wonderful fiction; don't be intimidated by the book's heft. Just sit back and enjoy it. Before you know it, it's all over with much too quickly.

A sprawling, epic novel, THE SANDS OF PRIDE details the lives and exploits of several dozen characters--both Rebel and Yankee--during the conflict in North Carolina between 1861 and 1863. Many of the main characters are actual historical figures, rendered both realistically and dramatically, with as much care as any of Trotter's (many) fictitious characters. The author's treatment of historical fact is colorful and exciting, and even the passages that are obviously speculative read as authentically as those which are factually documented. Trotter draws upon the vast well of knowledge he has gained over many years of research (first evidenced in his CIVIL WAR IN NORTH CAROLINA trilogy--easily the most extensive and best-documented nonfiction work ever published on the subject) and infuses as many details as possible into the novel--usually seamlessly and in appropriate measure to the context of the narrative; there's no squealing of brakes so the author can go off on a binge of self-indulgent detailing of his expertise.There's more to come, for a sequel is in the works, which will (hopefully) wrap up the threads left open in SANDS, and take us to the end of the war. I can give this book no higher recommendation, and I also suggest checking out Trotter's WWII novel, WINTER FIRE, which is as gripping in its context as SANDS is in its.