It seems like it has become the easy thing to say - to turn times of incredible social injustices and murder into moral absolutes. Since they lived in a time period such as this, and were party to actions that decimated another race, they truly must be guilty. If nothing else, then of gross negligence in not speaking out. Right?
This way of thinking just seems too simple for me. And the search for an answer became the driving force behind the concept of Fire Bell in the Night. At the heart of my writing was an attempt to understand what exactly it was that threatened those with a strong sense of morality into become accomplices to the worst stain in this country's history. Besides the slogans, what was it they really meant? How could slavery expand from the Founding Fathers call for its eventual dissolution (Southerners included), to an era when ownership of people became concrete and inalienable right, never to be taken away?
Fire Bell in the Night is a mixture of those questions with the real and harrowing events that comprised the Crisis of 1850 - a series of conflicts and missteps that took us an eyelash from cataclysmic Civil War. What was it that created as real a threat to sovereignty as this county had ever seen? What did it take to pull these two sides from the brink? Who were the actors, and what were their aims? And did they have any idea that Armageddon was at their door?
I hope you are interested enough to read and find out.
All my best to you all!
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Comments: 60
Love ya, CHandra
All the very best to you and your debut
Even if you are a...a...a.... CUBS fan!!!
Go Cards!! ;-)
Wendy, ain't that the truth!
My major in college was history, and my specialization was Colonial American....so, you're preaching to the choir here! My next book, however, is going to be set in Boston Pre-Revolution. Still researching as of now. I'll get to the Pilgrims at some point...inless you beat me to it!
These are very deep questions that still remain unanswered today. And it happened again more than 60 years ago when Nazi Germany decided to initiate the Final Solution and eradicate all Jews from the earth. Again, how could all these people support such atrocities - the soldiers, the German people, the German Christians. The question looms are they all guilty?
I just finished FINN by Jon Clinch - another well documented picture of racism and disregard for human life. Check out my review at http://fictionreport.com/blog/2007/09/10/finn-a-dark-look-at-racism/
Lots of luck on the book.
You couldn't be more correct with the Nazi parallel. Thanks for the link.. I'm on my way.
I appreciate it.
You both have been so amazing. I merely hope my book lives up to your expectations.
My copy got here today and I too will have an objective review (cough cough) for gather members before the book is released on the 18th! I can't believe this came on MONDAY -- with two Monday Night Football games on tonight....at least I'll get cracking on it during the commercials!!!
Hope you like it!
I'm looking forward to reading your novel.
I'm definitely interested. It's great to see someone as smart and talented as you writing about history. As soon as my friends at Amazon.com deliver my copy, I'll be on it.
Good luck!
I just want to say as an American and a Southerner I am so proud to say I know you, even though we've never met.
I hope you win a Pulitizer...and it doesn't sound like that's an imposibility!!! I'm going off to keep reading my review copy now.
As for those 400, or was it 600, literary agents who didn't see the value in Firebell: Nanny, nanny - boo, boo! ;-)
Bon
I used to give gov't testing to armed forces potential recruits and I used to ask them: In what war were the most Americans killed. NONE of them ever guessed The Civil War. Sad, but true.
Your stories of agents/publishers that weren't interested in this are disheartening for us other hopeful writers.
Thanks to everyone for reading!
I enjoy people whose thinking on old issues is refreshing. To simply repeat what others have said is a lazy person's way out.
I have always lived my life by listening to others and then reflecting on points they hope to make. Your introduction promises to bring me to that place where I can understand some connection between the idealism of Franklin and Jay and Jefferson and the realities of the mid- 1800's in our beloved America.
I look forward to your insights as I read Fire Bell in the Night.
Pat
And I like your explanation of your inspiration. Makes me even more eager to read.
Best of luck with the sales!
Terri
Dark Obsession
I have a copy of your book, but the Cubs and those icky Cards have a Double Header tomorrow.
I'll start it Sunday.
By the Way, you already have a 5 star Review on Amazon, Borders, and Barnes and Noble. Congrats!
Congratulations on your new book. I acturally went to the library yesterday to see if they were going to be getting your new book in. They explained that they were really low on budget right now and would not be getting any new books in for the rest of the year.
We made a donation and suggested that they get your book "Fire Bell in the Night".
I just finished viewing the interview that you gave on gather. It was wonderful. Sure wish you much luck on your new book. I think it will a great read. :)
Thank you so much! You are an absolute sweetheart. I can't thank you enough for the support.
My dad was a big history fan (His major) and could tell so many stories around the Civil War era. Great oral stories(fictional but accurately set) to help us, his children, to love and understand history. He always said the biggest stain on the Nation's honor was the owning of people, and trying to justify that ownership by reducing those people to a status of farm animal.
Savor the euphoria! Congratulations!
What a Article
What a WRITER YOU ARE
CONGRATS IN all YOUR ENDEAVORS
Kate