Their Last Ten Miles

Civil War buffs will enjoy this historical novel, which uses a range of characters, from politicians to privates to generals to civilians, to explore the motivations behind the war. The climactic scenes take place at the final battle of the war, in Selma, Alabama, in April 1865, where Union general James H. Wilson defeated Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest. To reach that point, first-novelist Jim Harrell goes back to the beginning of the war, introducing characters on both sides whose varying philosophies and motivations reflect the deep internal divisions within the nation. Then, as the war progresses, Harrell's interweaving plotlines show how the South was gradually and relentlessly cornered. Fine period details and interesting characters bring the ruinous history to life.