Tracy Groot

Dear Readers,

 

Sometimes you read a book and it is just a wonderful read and you can't wait to read the next one by an author.  Sometimes you read a book and it just kind of gnaws at you.  It doesn't leave you alone until you are finished and then it still sits in the back your mind to be brought  out to be mulled over again and again.

 

Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot is that kind of book.  It is not a comfortable read, but it is good.  There is nothing delicate or gentle about the book even though it is set in the south and you would like to think that all the southern hospitality would invite you in for tea and biscuits.  It doesn't, instead it shows an ugly underside of America's history.  

 

Andersonville is the greatest war tragedy to happen on America's soil.  13,000 Union soldiers died at the prison in 14 months and most of them could have been saved.  Through many different reasons, but mostly hate of the Union army the prisoners never got the proper food or clothing. 

 

I could go on, but most of the information you can find between the covers of this book, but also online.  The pictures that I found online reminded me of the ones you will see of the holocaust.

 

Violet Stiles almost literally stumbles on the conditions of the Andersonville prison one afternoon when she decides to surprise her father with a visit.  Little does she know what she will find.  Her father, a doctor, has tried to shelter his wife and daughters from what is happening  at the prison. While he is trying to shelter them, he has been working to make a difference at great risk to himself and his livelihood.

 

Now that she knows, Violet wants to make a change.  She is sure that there are problems only because people in Americus, the local town, just don't know what is going on.  With the help of two soldiers, one Georgia Militia and one regular army,  she decides to enlighten the town.   This brings on more trouble than she ever expected.

 

This book was not a light winter read.  It didn't keep me entertained because it was fun to read, it kept my interest because it made me think about what I would have done.  The enemy who has killed friends and family is living in my home town, they are suffering now, do I help or do I turn a blind eye and ignore their pleas for help?

 

Happy Reading   

 

P.S. Tracy Groot will be here at Baker Book House on February 4th at 7:00 P.M. to talk about her experience writing this book and her research into Andersonville.  Hope you can join us.