God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers, James McIvor
God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers, James McIvor
List: $11.99 | Sale: $8.40
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God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers
A True Civil War Christmas Story

Author: James McIvor

Narrator: Michael Prichard

Unabridged: 3 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 11/15/2005


Synopsis

A heartwarming Civil War tale bound to become an American holiday classic

In the winter of 1862, during the seemingly endless nightmare of the Civil War, a small miracle occurred. Just after Christmas, on the eve of the bloody battle of Stones River in Tennessee, the Union and Confederate armies set up camp within shouting distance of one another. To raise their spirits, they began a volley of patriotic tunes-"Yankee Doodle" drowned out by "Dixie." Then, during a pause, a Union band struck up the wistful strains of "Home Sweet Home." A Confederate band chimed in, and soon every regimental band and every soldier, Rebel and Yankee alike, had swelled the chorus. This bittersweet moment is the centerpiece of James Mcivor's portrait in miniature of a country weary of war.

Filled with soldiers' letters-marked by humor, yearning, and courage—as well as Christmas poems and songs from the period, this is a tale of unabashed holiday spirit for our own divided nation.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jeffrey

One of the worst Civil War books that I have read in my entire life. The actual "true Christmas Story" amounted to approximately five pages in the entire book, which reads like it was written by a high school student. There is a long lead in of useless information which, while it tries to set the co......more

Goodreads review by Stephen

The Christmas of 1862 approached far differently than the year proceeding. Although the southern war for independence had begun in April of ’61,  the war was then still seen by many as a lark, an adventure – and soldiers on both sides could still feed off the prosperity of peace time. 1862, though,......more

Goodreads review by Darlene

James McIvor has given us a glimpse into what the life of the soldiers fighting in the Civil War was really like. Christmas and war aren't usually thought to be the subjects of a book to be read during the season of goodwill and glad tidings but the author has shown his ability to take the reader in......more