Answering Lincoln's Call

War in America

Fiction - Military
397 Pages
Reviewed on 07/25/2023
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Author Biography

Some years ago, we found 250 letters written by my Great Grandfather and his best friend about their experiences in the Civil War. Since first person accounts of the conflict were quite rare, it was only logical to write the stories the letters told 130 years after they had been saved by my Great Grandmother. "Answering Lincoln's Call" is about just that: ordinary young men from central Ohio and how they decided to enter harm's way for their love of God and their country and enlisted in the 78th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. I had written two books about banking in the 1980s and to write an historical novel was a new experience but a very rewarding one.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

Many books have been written about the American Civil War, and though it is taught in schools, most students and readers only get a broad, detached view of the event. Only a few get to relive what the young soldiers faced personally during the war. T.W. Harvey's Answering Lincoln's Call follows the individual experiences of the less celebrated soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. It's about the pain, joy, fear, and every core emotion they felt as they faced the possibility of dying in battle. Off the battlegrounds, we also witness them prepare for long marches, make important decisions before their enlistment, and fight deadly diseases. Answering Lincoln's Call is inspired by 250 letters written about fighting in the Civil War by the author's great-grandfather, Thomas ​Armstrong, and his best friend, George Porter.

The genuine feel of the book is amazing. The characters are well-developed and easy to connect with. I found Thomas, who usually has to think things through and doesn't just follow orders blindly, quite relatable. Furthermore, T.W. Harvey's book includes intricate details about battle plans and the horrors of war that offer a deeply immersing experience. The story focuses a lot on the complex details of the war at times. Nevertheless, one thing this book has that many of the best American Civil War novels don't have is recently discovered true stories from individuals who fought in the war, which creates an avenue for getting an intimate experience of the war. Ultimately, Answering Lincoln's Call is a highly captivating, unforgettable story about sacrifice, bravery, love, and hope. I enjoyed its mix of graphic details, spine-chilling sequences, and heartwarming relationships.