A Separate Country

By: Robert Hicks

Narrated by: Sherman Howard, Isabel Keating, Kevin T. Collins

Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Set in New Orleans in the years after the Civil War, A Separate Country is based on the incredible life of John Bell Hood, arguably one of the most controversial generals of the Confederate Army - and one of its most tragic figures.

Robert E. Lee promoted him to major general after the Battle of Antietam. But the Civil War would mark him forever. At Gettysburg, he lost the use of his left arm. At the Battle of Chickamauga, his right leg was amputated. Starting fresh after the war, he married Anna Marie Hennen and fathered 11 children with her, including three sets of twins. But fate had other plans. Crippled by his war wounds and defeat, ravaged by financial misfortune, Hood had one last foe to battle: yellow fever.

A Separate Country is the heartrending story of a decent and good man who struggled with his inability to admit his failures - and the story of those who taught him to love, and to be loved, and transformed him.

©2009 Robert Hicks (P)2009 Hachette

Critic Reviews

"Hicks's stunning narrative volleys between Hood, Anna Marie and Eli, each offering variety and texture to a story saturated in Southern gallantry and rich American history." ( Publishers Weekly)

Okay but not what I expected.

First I will say I missed "Fiction" in the books description. (my fault I was so excited to think there was a new biography I had not read)
Being a civil war buff, I guess I expected "The General" and not this man that is depicted in this book.
I truly believe General Hood had regrets but he is seen in this book as that is all he has. General Hood lead successful campaigns and was a well respected General. In this book his whole career is nothing but regrets, his life after the war is all most nothing but regrets. He suddenly turns against all that he has ever believed in and fought for. A career General does not change in an instant and in this book it is "an instant".
To me, the book does not give justice to the life General Hood. Even if it is fiction.
Having said that, the plot was okay, even if a little circus like. Dwarfs, killer Frenchmen, and a orphan turned Priest.
It has many twists and turns and can keep you entertained if you are not expecting even a bit of reality.

exceptionally boring

Having read, The widow of the south, and being a Civil War buff I expected this book to be right up my alley! well, it was a big disappointment. BORING BORING BORING, don't waste your credits. I don't think the author was really sure where he was going with this and it just dragged on.

TOO long

Did this book NOT have an editor??? Why did it drag on for days? I liked the story and that's why I finished it but seriously, I thought it would never end. By the last page, I was past wanting it to be over and that's a shame because there were loads of description making it so lush and sultry and atmospheric.

Wonderful!

I loved the story. The characters were interesting. The voice actors made me feel as though I was back in 19th century New Orleans. I highly recommend this book to all listeners but I especially recommend it to those people who love stories of the civil war or the post war south.

Just ok

Basically it was boring. Not enough characters and not enough going on. I did manage to finish it but I really wanted to abort early on.