Karl Bacon's An Eye for Glory ~ Reviewed

An Eye for Glory
Karl Bacon
Historical Christian Fiction
Paperback, 368 pages
Publisher: Zondervan, April 2011
ISBN: 978-0-310-32203-3

Back Cover Description:

Hatred of the enemy consumes Michael during a long and dusty march to Gettysburg. Michael's only desire is to kill as many of the enemy as he can so he can go home. He coldly counts off the rebels that fall to his bullets until he is brought up short by a dying man holding up his Bible. He was a brother in Christ, Michael realizes after the man dies, and "I hated him with 'cruel hatred.'"

When Michael returns home from the war, his wife , Jessie Anne sees a man still and lost in the horrors of battle, and plagued by doubt and fear. Where is the man she once knew? And where is the faith he once lived by?

In the spring of 1869, Michael leaves home once more, this time to return the Bible to the man's widow. This simple journey changes Michael in ways he could have never imagined.

Review:

This book portrayed a different point of view on the Civil War than I've read in a historical novel and I really enjoyed it. As opposed to being told in the voice of the beloved wife, fiance, or sister left at home, this story was told by a soldier in the Union Army named Michael Palmer. Though a more raw, gory, and dark view on the many battles, both lost and won, this book was refreshingly real. Michael struggles with missing his family, obeying superiors, and keeping his faith in God. The historical detail given in the book and it's format, switching between letters between Michael and his wife and a journal style of writing add to it's authentic feel. Most valuable though, were the spiritual truths that are woven through the story and the very forthright presentations of the Gospel message. I highly recommend this book; a tale of the struggle of brother against brother, life and death, love and hate, hope and despair.

Reviewed by: Rachael Schnitker