Escape from Andersonville by Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan

Ellen's Comments: I wanted to read another Hackman/Lenihan book, but I wasn't sure I wanted to read this one -my great-grandfather was a prisoner at Andersonville. I was relieved that only about 40 pages at the beginning chronicle the horrific prison conditions. The remainder of the book relates the mission undertaken by Captain Nathan Parker to rescue the soldiers of the Michigan 5th-his command.

Passing himself off as a sergeant, rather than an officer, so that he could stay with his men, Parker maintains discipline, and thus morale, amidst the indescribable conditions. A plan is hatched to get one of the group out, who will then seek aid. Parker is chosen as the most likely to gain a hearing with superiors. Impossibly, the escape plan works, and he begins his arduous mission.

He heads for Vicksbutg, now under Union control. Along the way he encounters Marcel LaFarge, an ex-soldier of the Confederacy court - martialled for lapses in leadership. LaFarge has become a nefarious character, smuggling and otherwise profiteering. When Parker's attempts fail to prod the Union leadership to arrange a prisoner exchange or mount a rescue for the soldiers in Andersonville, he forms an unholy alliance with LaFarge and a group of cutthroats, brigands and other neer-do-wells to do the job himself.

Camaraderie and hardships as they return across the South harden Parker, soften LaFarge, and provide glimpses of life in the South during the War, as well as danger, bloodshed, infighting, and frustration. It's not a pretty story. No war story can have a truly happy ending, but the road to redemption is a worthy journey. Check status at GPL.

And make sure to check out Ellen's comments on another one of Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan's books, Wake of the Perdido Star.