The March

The March, by E.L. Doctorow

E.L. Doctorow's new book, The March is an account of General William Tecumseh Sherman's march through Georgia and the Carolinas, leaving , as one writer describes "a 60-mile wide trail of death, destruction, looting, thievery, and chaos." Amidst the blood and gore goes a touching storyline, featuring a southern nurse, a dedicated doctor, a 15-year old mulatto girl , and two deserters from the Confederate troops, who insinuate themselves into General Sherman's Union army, with their own agenda for revenge. This personalized approach to a horrendous chapter in our country's history forces the reader to rethink the lessons learned in American History 101... For instance: slavery was abolished but what were the newly free workers expected to do with this new independence? No money, no skills, no education - not likely. The effects of this abandonment of government responsibility have reverberated through the years. There is a very touching thumbnail sketch of Abraham Lincoln as seen through the eyes of the Army doctor. (Just when you thought you had read all you needed to know about him). E L Doctorow readers be assured this book is up to his usual excellent standards. To his new readers -welcome to the fan club of said author. You won't be disappointed.
-Janet