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Far Western Civil War #3
Galveston
The Battle for Galveston 1862
The island city of Galveston, a vital port where blockade runners bring key supplies into the Confederacy from abroad, is suddenly occupied by the Union, blockaded by navy vessels, cut off from the Texas mainland by the enemy. Jamie Russell, an artillery officer in the Valverde Battery and veteran of battles in New Mexico, has a personal stake in the safety of the city--his sister Emma and their Aunt May are trapped there. But Jamie also has the ear of General Magruder in Houston. If the Confederate army can retake the harbor, it will be a powerful victory for the South, and will enable Jamie's family to flee to safer quarters. If, on the other hand, the New Year dawns with the Yankees still holding Galveston and reinforcements on the way, it may be too late for Jamie's kin and for the hopes of the Confederacy's blockade runners.
Jamie and his allies have but one chance, a daring attack on the Union ships. If it works, they are heroes. If they fail, all Texas may be open to invasion by the Yankees.
The island city of Galveston, a vital port where blockade runners bring key supplies into the Confederacy from abroad, is suddenly occupied by the Union, blockaded by navy vessels, cut off from the Texas mainland by the enemy. Jamie Russell, an artillery officer in the Valverde Battery and veteran of battles in New Mexico, has a personal stake in the safety of the city--his sister Emma and their Aunt May are trapped there. But Jamie also has the ear of General Magruder in Houston. If the Confederate army can retake the harbor, it will be a powerful victory for the South, and will enable Jamie's family to flee to safer quarters. If, on the other hand, the New Year dawns with the Yankees still holding Galveston and reinforcements on the way, it may be too late for Jamie's kin and for the hopes of the Confederacy's blockade runners.
Jamie and his allies have but one chance, a daring attack on the Union ships. If it works, they are heroes. If they fail, all Texas may be open to invasion by the Yankees.
436 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 27, 2010
This is the third book of a four book series about the Civil War in the Far West. I enjoyed the first book, "Glorieta Pass" quite a bit but I did see flaws in it. The second book, "The Guns of Valverde" was much less enjoyable although still not a bad book. I've been delaying reading this third book because of that, worried that the series was deteriorating. However, I was way off base. This novel was thoroughly enjoyable and I'm now really looking forward to the last book of the series, "Red River", which has just been published in paperback.
This is not a civil war book that is filled with battle scenes. Quite the contrary. We follow three main characters through the story. Jaime is a confederate soldier, formerly of the Quartermaster corps but he now commands an artillery battery. He's been with us since the first book. We also follow his sister, Emma, as well as a Union naval ship master, Quincy. Galveston, Texas is the scene as Union ships set up a naval blockade and invade the town while Confederate forces fight back. There is really only one major battle scene in the book, at the climax near the end, but the mounting tension throughout the novel makes for a great story. The story builds for the first half of the book as the players move into place and we get to see elements of the society of the times. That's what I like about historical fiction, a chance to "live" in the times represented. There is lots of good characterization here as we experience day-to-day living with these characters, see their ups and downs, fret over relationships and hope for better times. Ms Nagle seems to have grown as a story teller with this entry and I plan to move the last book of the series up on my reading list.
Interestingly, I recently wrote the author to see if she would be writing any more in this series or any historical fiction for that matter. She replied very graciously to say that she has recently published a "romantic fantasy" novel under the name "Pati Nagle" and that she had no further plans for this series...but you never know.
This is not a civil war book that is filled with battle scenes. Quite the contrary. We follow three main characters through the story. Jaime is a confederate soldier, formerly of the Quartermaster corps but he now commands an artillery battery. He's been with us since the first book. We also follow his sister, Emma, as well as a Union naval ship master, Quincy. Galveston, Texas is the scene as Union ships set up a naval blockade and invade the town while Confederate forces fight back. There is really only one major battle scene in the book, at the climax near the end, but the mounting tension throughout the novel makes for a great story. The story builds for the first half of the book as the players move into place and we get to see elements of the society of the times. That's what I like about historical fiction, a chance to "live" in the times represented. There is lots of good characterization here as we experience day-to-day living with these characters, see their ups and downs, fret over relationships and hope for better times. Ms Nagle seems to have grown as a story teller with this entry and I plan to move the last book of the series up on my reading list.
Interestingly, I recently wrote the author to see if she would be writing any more in this series or any historical fiction for that matter. She replied very graciously to say that she has recently published a "romantic fantasy" novel under the name "Pati Nagle" and that she had no further plans for this series...but you never know.
February 10, 2020
Civil War in Galveston
Part 3of the series of the Far Western Civil War--a part not often given much attention in books. The author follows characters she introduced in the earlier books from both sides of the conflict. An interesting 3part series to read.
Part 3of the series of the Far Western Civil War--a part not often given much attention in books. The author follows characters she introduced in the earlier books from both sides of the conflict. An interesting 3part series to read.
March 6, 2019
Even though I wish I had been able to read the first two books in this series, it really wasn't necessary for the enjoyment of this book.
November 22, 2010
I got this eBook for free.
Let me preface by saying that Galveston is part three or a series and I have not read parts one or two.
“Galveston (Civil War in the Far West)” by P. G. Nagle is a historical fiction account of events in Texas and New Mexico during the American Civil War. The story culminates in the battle for Galveston, a Texan barrier island.
Confederate Solider James Russell returns home from the rough battle at Valverde. He finds himself accompanying his sister, Emma, to their aunt’s home in Galveston, Texas. Emma is bitter and in low spirits because she lost her fiancé in the war, her family thinks that leaving the farm will do her some good.
Far from being safe, the island of Galveston is being attacked by the Union Army. While Jamie takes part in the battle, Emma takes care of their aunt and does her part as a volunteer nurse
Union naval officer Quincy supplies the contrasting view from the Union side.
“Galveston” by P. G. Nagle was an easy read and a fascinating one as well. The outdoor descriptions of New Mexico and Texas are very good and help transport you to the 1860s. I was mesmerized by the descriptions of the battle (there is only one) and the tactics used at the time. Ms. Nagle also took the time to put us into the minds of civilians being caught in the midst of the war – an aspect which should not be overlooked.
The book flows smoothly, is entertaining and well written. However, the characters aren’t complex, but that could be due to the fact that I have not read the previous two books. I did like the story and learning about little known part of the Civil War (or any war) is always captivating.
Ms. Nagle’s writing, as well as constantly changing from the narration of one character to another, keeps the story moving along at a reasonable pace.
For more reviews please visit http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Let me preface by saying that Galveston is part three or a series and I have not read parts one or two.
“Galveston (Civil War in the Far West)” by P. G. Nagle is a historical fiction account of events in Texas and New Mexico during the American Civil War. The story culminates in the battle for Galveston, a Texan barrier island.
Confederate Solider James Russell returns home from the rough battle at Valverde. He finds himself accompanying his sister, Emma, to their aunt’s home in Galveston, Texas. Emma is bitter and in low spirits because she lost her fiancé in the war, her family thinks that leaving the farm will do her some good.
Far from being safe, the island of Galveston is being attacked by the Union Army. While Jamie takes part in the battle, Emma takes care of their aunt and does her part as a volunteer nurse
Union naval officer Quincy supplies the contrasting view from the Union side.
“Galveston” by P. G. Nagle was an easy read and a fascinating one as well. The outdoor descriptions of New Mexico and Texas are very good and help transport you to the 1860s. I was mesmerized by the descriptions of the battle (there is only one) and the tactics used at the time. Ms. Nagle also took the time to put us into the minds of civilians being caught in the midst of the war – an aspect which should not be overlooked.
The book flows smoothly, is entertaining and well written. However, the characters aren’t complex, but that could be due to the fact that I have not read the previous two books. I did like the story and learning about little known part of the Civil War (or any war) is always captivating.
Ms. Nagle’s writing, as well as constantly changing from the narration of one character to another, keeps the story moving along at a reasonable pace.
For more reviews please visit http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
October 23, 2011
P.G. Nagle's Galveston is well written and a very interesting look at the Civil War. It gives the reader a look at part of the Civil War that is not discussed often in many books. The Civil War battles and tactics of the Eastern Front takes prominence in most books. Nagle gives the reader an excellent look at what was going on west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. The book also gives the reader an idea what was going on in the minds of civilians during the war especially when they are caught in the midst of the fighting. The characters are believable and woven into the lives of the fictional characters are actual historical characters. I found the book readable and though you may know how the battle turns out the story of the characters will keep you interested and wondering what will happen next.
Also interesting is the look at the different levels of Southern society and how the people of the different levels interacted with each other. This can be seen in the military scenes as well as the scenes away from the military camps. The slavery issue is also part of this interaction between various groups, especially between those who had slaves and those who did not own any. Also the reader gets a glimpse at what the northern troops felt about working with freedmen and their feelings about the Emancipation Proclamation.
I found Galveston to be an interesting read and I look forward to reading the remainder of the volumes in the series. It is an interesting view of the western front of the Civil War that the non-historian may not know that much about. Very well written and well worth the time to read. ( )
Also interesting is the look at the different levels of Southern society and how the people of the different levels interacted with each other. This can be seen in the military scenes as well as the scenes away from the military camps. The slavery issue is also part of this interaction between various groups, especially between those who had slaves and those who did not own any. Also the reader gets a glimpse at what the northern troops felt about working with freedmen and their feelings about the Emancipation Proclamation.
I found Galveston to be an interesting read and I look forward to reading the remainder of the volumes in the series. It is an interesting view of the western front of the Civil War that the non-historian may not know that much about. Very well written and well worth the time to read. ( )
February 20, 2015
More, as usual, on my blog.
It's a fascinating era, and these books take in a corner of it not usually seen. I've read a great deal of fiction set in the 1800's, but surprisingly little set in and around the Civil War (apart from Abel Jones). And even in the non-fiction I've read and watched the war in the West is largely a blank – even Ken Burns's Civil War only touched on it glancingly. I appreciate this book, and in fact this series, for putting the spotlight where few others seem to have.
I was surprised at how unfamiliar the Confederate setting was to me, and I wonder if it's because some writers prefer to stick to the side that won in the end? (Sorry about the spoiler, there.) There was a certain fatalistic quality to it all, and a queasiness when Colonel Forrest was mentioned, and no surprises in how the causes of the War were viewed. The surprise to me was the reaction among Wheat's crewmates to the Emancipation Proclamation. I knew it was far from universally popular in the North, but this … It felt accurate, and it felt … sad. You know in the larger scheme of things there's not going to be a happy ending ... Unfortunately there wasn't much of an ending at all: to be continued.
It's a fascinating era, and these books take in a corner of it not usually seen. I've read a great deal of fiction set in the 1800's, but surprisingly little set in and around the Civil War (apart from Abel Jones). And even in the non-fiction I've read and watched the war in the West is largely a blank – even Ken Burns's Civil War only touched on it glancingly. I appreciate this book, and in fact this series, for putting the spotlight where few others seem to have.
I was surprised at how unfamiliar the Confederate setting was to me, and I wonder if it's because some writers prefer to stick to the side that won in the end? (Sorry about the spoiler, there.) There was a certain fatalistic quality to it all, and a queasiness when Colonel Forrest was mentioned, and no surprises in how the causes of the War were viewed. The surprise to me was the reaction among Wheat's crewmates to the Emancipation Proclamation. I knew it was far from universally popular in the North, but this … It felt accurate, and it felt … sad. You know in the larger scheme of things there's not going to be a happy ending ... Unfortunately there wasn't much of an ending at all: to be continued.
April 26, 2011
I'm a Southerner. I'm still sort of carryin' a grudge... :]
P. G. Nagle tells a well-balanced story with a strong dose of Southern reality.
Though I found this book heavy into the battles and less than I'd wished in the area of storyline where the family and romance are concerned, it is good information about the Civil War in terms of Texas.
This is not a book that just everyone would enjoy reading. I would, however, recommend it to those who have an interest in the development of Galveston, which is a city rich in history and legend. And, I think it's a book for those who aren't so interested in romance as they are in a the humanity of a family as it struggles against war and the survival of it.
P. G. Nagle tells a well-balanced story with a strong dose of Southern reality.
Though I found this book heavy into the battles and less than I'd wished in the area of storyline where the family and romance are concerned, it is good information about the Civil War in terms of Texas.
This is not a book that just everyone would enjoy reading. I would, however, recommend it to those who have an interest in the development of Galveston, which is a city rich in history and legend. And, I think it's a book for those who aren't so interested in romance as they are in a the humanity of a family as it struggles against war and the survival of it.
March 29, 2011
This is the 3rd in P.G. Nagle's series of the Civil War in the West. The first 2 are Glorieta Pass and the Guns of Valverde. The first two were set in New Mexico but, Galveston concentrates on the war on the Texas coast between the US Navy and makeshift rammers the Confederates covered with wood or even cotton, attempting to knock holes in the Navy ships. The more CW history I read, the more I marvel at how valiently Rebel soldiers fought when they had so little to fight with. Few weapons, Quaker guns (poles painted to fool the enemy into thinking the Rebs had cannons where none or few existed), sparse supplies and few medicines meant battles were fought with mostly skill, honor and plenty of heart.
An enjoyable read and good writing, but a little wordy.
An enjoyable read and good writing, but a little wordy.
January 26, 2013
My first eBook purchased, downloaded and read with the new Kindle device my wife gave me. Read this book because it was by same author as books read previously, covering the battles of Valverde and Glorieta Pass. Had many of the same characters also, but this book crossed over a bit too much into the romance areas with heavy emphasis on female characters who seemed a bit too "strong willed" for the time they lived in. I also appreciate a historical fiction that tries to utilize the diction and vocabulary of its' time, but this one has too much of today's expressions and phrases used to come off as really being embedeed in the historical setting.
May 24, 2015
I didn't even finish this. The first was great. The second answered a lot of the questions left hanging. The third and beyond added in so many new characters that it felt like another series and I missed New Mexico and the fight that was there. I got 9% read and just didn't care about the characters like I had in the first two.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews