Shenandoah Whispers And Echoes

About the Book

"Shenandoah Whispers And Echoes" is a historical fiction novella that is actually a story within a story. Right away the reader is drawn in with a mysterious and unexpected discovery in the present, then flashes back to the past by means of an old handwritten journal. It gives a unique, first person account of life in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in the latter half of the 19th century. In the words of James Randolph Wise, this simple Southern man’s experiences are set against the backdrop of the Civil War and its aftermath and serve as the focal points of this candid and bittersweet tale. It is constructed within the framework of actual historical events as it takes great pains to stay true to history. It was a simpler, purer, less complicated era and time slows down. Through this thoroughly engrossing narrative we experience the triumphs and tragedies of this boy growing into manhood along with his family, experiencing the American Civil War and its aftermath in a whole new light. This topic as told from that perspective make the book rather fresh and unique. This story exposes some of the myths and injustices about the war in the Shenandoah Valley. Some of the revelations of that war may shock the reader with indignation, but rest assured that the fine line between fact and fiction is often indistinguishable and not often pleasant. It’s the story of gradual change in one man and in a nation. Most importantly, it’s a tale of resilience and determination of the human spirit in both the best and worst of times. Southerners can readily relate to and identify with this tale. It is a story set in a time and place that deserves revisiting. This book espouses the universal themes of family, honor, truth, faith, love, war, and tragedy. These themes all have a time-tested track record of wide appeal among people everywhere - regardless of age, religion, sex, race, education, income, or geographic region. As for a specific core target audience, this story has the definite potential to appeal in particular to Southern folks with deep family roots in the old South. "Shenandoah Whispers And Echoes" will haunt your conscience and genuinely move you.

About the Author

Tom Orrell is a native Virginian who lives in Maryland now. He’s a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and holds a degree in history. He’s served as an officer in the U.S. Army for several years and has been a manager with Verizon for over two decades. He’s traveled extensively throughout the United States and is student of history and literature. Tom is married with two daughters and writes in his spare time. This is Tom’s second book, following on the heels of his successful first book, Shenandoah Whispers And Echoes, with a third book currently in the works.