In a startling departure, James Lee Burke has written an epic story of love, hate and survival set against the tumultuous background of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
At the center of the tale are James lee Burke's own ancestrors, Robert Perry, who comes from the slave-owning family of wealth and privliege, and Willy Burke, born of Irish immigrants, a poor boy who is as irreverent as he is brave and decent. Despite personal and political conflicts, both men join the Confederate Army, determined not to back down in their commitment to their moral belirfs, to their friends, and to the abolitionist woman with whom both are infatuated.
Willie's friend, Flower Jamison, a beautiful young black slave is owned by -- and fathered by, although he will not admit it -- Ira Jamison. Owner of Angola Plantation, Ira Jamison returns after the war and transforms his plantation into a penal colony which houses prisoners he rents out as laborers to replace the emancipated slaves.
Against all local laws and customs, Willie teaches Flower how to read and write. She receives the help and protection of Abigail Dowling, the Massachusetts abolitionist who has attracted both Willie and Robert Perry's attention. These love affairs are fraught with danger and compromised by the great and grim events of the Civil War and its aftermatch.
With unforgettable battle scenes at Shiloh and in the Shenandoah Valley, White Doves at Morning is an epic masterpiece of historical fiction.
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"Engaging read. All of the main characters have some major flaw that they struggle honestly with. Lots of darkness in this novel - good people coming to bad ends, the grim realities of life in the deep south (Louisiana) during the civil war and its aftermath. The author keeps it real; no sugarcoating here, except for the too neatly wrapping up of everything in the epilogue. I took away a star for that."
— Karen (4 out of 5 stars)
“[A] Civil War blockbuster…Extraordinary.”
— People“Violent, lyrical, and engrossing…The man has a touch of the poet in him.”
— Washington Post Book World“ An epic filmed in tight focus, however, taking us from secession to Reconstruction at an intensely personal level. ”
— Booklist“In lyrical and evocative prose, Burke depicts both the boredom and horror of army life and the injustices visited upon blacks and poor whites by the "haves" in Southern society. He starkly conveys the desperation felt by those who have no power or voice and vividly creates a sense of place and character.”
— Library Journal“This moving morality play shows a different dimension of this gifted writer.”
— Publishers Weekly" A Civil War fiction, which is quite a change from detective/mystery genre. Very enjoyable. "
— Ly, 2/10/2014" I have owned this book for years and lent it out to family and friends but hadn't read it myself. Wish I hadn;t waited so long!! Great novel of the Civil War, but not so much about the war itself, but about the people affected by war. "
— Allyson, 2/8/2014" This is not Gone With the Wind (a book I dearly love). It is, however, compelling reading. The main characters are interesting, as are the situations in which they find themselves. The book is probably a more realistic depiction than that of Gone With the Wind---it's definitely grittier. If you are fascinated by the Civil War you will probably enjoy this read. "
— Linda, 1/20/2014" This is an excellent novel about the Civil War, set in the neighborhood that Burke's protagonist, Detective Dave Robicheax, now inhabits. It is based on real people and has that wonderful Cajun-country feel that all Burke's Louisiana tales portray. "
— Katie, 1/15/2014" It is pretty good, rather adult content though... "
— Alice, 1/7/2014" The 1st few chapters of this book are AMAZING!!! I just think this book is one that you can learn from and use. So well written. Transported me right back to the Civil War. "
— Brandon, 12/28/2013" AS FAR AS THE CIVIL WAR GOES, I AM NOT AN OFFICIONADO. THIS BOOK WILL BRING YOU CLOSE! "
— Sherri, 12/25/2013" Really enjoyed reading this, perhaps more so since I was in the area relevant to the story while doing so. The ending was a bit disappointing for me, but not enough to detract my appreciation for Burke or Civil War era stories. "
— Darian, 11/19/2013" I always love me some James Lee Burke. This drama-filled Civil War novel has a few twists and turns. The dialogue is realistic. The setting is solid. I'm not quite finished yet--but have enjoyed the historical accounts mixed in with his creative license. "
— Kim, 11/19/2013" James Lee Burke is one of best writers of our times. He is one of the few writers whose books I will purchase in hard cover because I can't wait for the paperback version to come out. "
— Cammie, 11/10/2013" A departure from his two main characters, this is historical fiction and I couldn't put it down. "
— Susan, 11/6/2013" Was excited to read this because of the civil war period but found too many foul words so I stopped reading it. "
— Sharon, 10/9/2013" Not my favorite Civil War book by a sight, but has some impactful moments and some richly drawn characters. "
— Matthew, 10/3/2013" Wish I could give more than five stars ... an incredible book. "
— Susan, 9/8/2013" Best book from a master story teller. Civil War period but not a "war story." based on Burke's own family history. As always, Burke includes the women's experience. On my Life Top Ten. "
— Silverbear, 6/24/2013" Stunning, if you are interested in Civil War stories at all, this is amazing. It covers so many of the complex relationships during that war. The hurt, the pain, the secrets, the generosity and courage of so many. I found it inspiring. "
— Angie, 5/22/2013" This author is amazing. I enjoy reading anything to do with American history. He is the ability to transport you to when and where the book is set. I can get lost for hours just reading, "
— Angela, 4/19/2013" A fantastic novel of the civil war... and what a waste that war was. I still don't completely understand the motivations. "
— Sharon, 2/1/2013" Pretty good civil war historical fiction book. Not as good as some others, especially The Widow of the South. "
— Rita, 11/24/2012" it was great.it was awesome.can't say much more about JLB. "
— Thomas, 7/22/2012" I wish I could give it 10 stars. This is James Lee Burke's novel about the Civil War and two of his ancestors who fought in it. "
— Kathleen, 5/26/2012" Wonderful historical novel. A joy to read. "
— Bob, 2/2/2012" No rave reviews from Dad. "
— Kate, 6/25/2011" Very good. Good characters and atmosphere. Civil war theme in the old South. "
— Maura, 6/24/2011" Civil War; southern viewpoint; Louisiana setting. Uses people from his own antecedants. Very good but slow reading. "
— Karen, 6/20/2011" Burke's fictionalized version of his greatgrandfather's life. As usual, a rich description of the times and places. I had to skip some of the detailed war scenes. But a wonderful story. "
— Pat, 3/19/2011" The 1st few chapters of this book are AMAZING!!! I just think this book is one that you can learn from and use. So well written. Transported me right back to the Civil War. "
— Brandon, 1/19/2011" Stunning, if you are interested in Civil War stories at all, this is amazing. It covers so many of the complex relationships during that war. The hurt, the pain, the secrets, the generosity and courage of so many. I found it inspiring. "
— Angie, 11/5/2010" James Lee Burke does much better with his mysteries/crime fiction. Some of the period details in this foray into historical fiction were off and the characters all seemed to be cut from the same cloth. That being said, he does create vivid scenes and keeps the plot moving along. "
— Terra, 10/28/2010" His books always walk the line of melancholy, and yet I enjoy his characters and his descriptive text and find myself picking up his books about mens men time and again. "
— Patricia, 8/28/2010" Always love anything Burke writes. This was a departure from the Robeauceau series. About his ancestor, very interesting. "
— Marianne, 5/7/2010" Set in mostly Louisiana, Civil War story--departure from his usual writing. <br/> "
— Suzanne, 4/3/2010" A good story not often told of the South. <br/>I learned-I will do the right thing. "
— Melissa, 8/30/2009" Ah, the American Civil War - rape, pillage and all the rest of it. Not the most gripping read I've read on the topic, but an ok story. "
— Jane, 8/14/2009" Great characters, ended too abruptly (I wanted more!) "
— Nancy, 7/31/2009" A great book, I read it in just over two days! <br/>I like how James put some factual stuff into a novel - I could really believe that everything was true....it was gritty and very descriptive. <br/>Loved it - yet again James did not let me down! "
— Laura, 6/17/2009" <br/>One of Burke's few non-crime novels - but good. "
— Michael, 3/18/2009James Lee Burke is a New York Times bestselling author of forty novels and two short-story collections. He has won the Edgar Award, the CWA Gold Dagger, and the Grand Prix de Littérature Policièr. He was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. His novel The Lost-Get Back Boogie was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and two of his books, Heaven’s Prisoners and Two for Texas, have been made into motion pictures.
Will Patton is an award-winning actor and narrator. HIs narrations have earned the prestigious Audie Award for Best Fiction Narration and also won dozens of AudioFile Earphones Awards. His numerous film credits include Remember the Titans, The Punisher, The Mothman Prophesies, Armageddon, and The Spitfire Grill. He starred in the TNT miniseries Into the West and on the CBS series The Agency and won Obie Awards in the theater for his performances in Fool for Love and What Did He See.