Sing for Us

One of the greatest oxymorons is the phrase "civil war." War is hell, not civil. Many soldiers fight for reasons due to political calisthenics, not the reasons politicians proclaim. They are caught up in romantic, heroic propaganda and only in the terror and heat of battle do they learn the heartbreaking physical and emotional trauma of the horrors of battle for a "cause." Nowhere is this more apparent than in a hospital for the wounded in Chimborazo, the hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Two soldiers have found that the war has left them without a leg to stand on in Steven Wise's new novel Sing For Us. The author does not judge either the North's or the South's motives for fighting the war, takes no sides, or promotes any point of view. Instead, he depicts a realistic, humane, touching portrait of the wounded, traumatized, soldiers who have suffered from a "civil" conflict. As I read the book, I grew to love the characters, especially Letha Bartlett, who is modeled after Phoebe Pember, a nurse who tended the wounded confederate soldiers at Chimborazo. Wise has given each of her patients unique personalities, and I suffered and empathized with each of them. The universal healer, music, has a potent part in this novel and the title demonstrates the emotional uplift that harmony can give to damaged souls. This is a novel which portrays how war destroys souls and love and music can heal them.

This novel set during the Civil War sensitively explores the devastating effect the war had on so many lives, both soldiers as well as civilians. Personal stories wonderfully woven around a fascinatingly accurate historic backdrop of a war that resulted in immeasurable human suffering but at the same time demonstrates the ultimate triumph of love. A thoroughly enjoyable read from a fresh voice in literature, one sure to be heard from again. I highly recommend this book to anyone hoping to be absorbed by an unforgettable and timeless story of the unconquerable human spirit.

I so enjoyed this book I read it in three days, I just couldn't put it down. I am an avid reader, but many times I lean toward mystery/thriller type books. Sing for Us was a welcome break with an unexpected deep and well written story line. The writer paints a detailed picture, and in my mind's eye, I could clearly see the setting along with each of the characters. When I finished reading I wanted a sequel, I felt like I knew the characters so well I wanted more of the story. A terrific historical book, well worth the time to read.

This book rivals the great historical fiction classics of the 19th century. Set in Virginia during the Civil War, the realism of the conflict is the stage for the development of the emotional story of a Civil War nurse at a Confederate hospital in Richmond, Virginia. As you read the story the author steals your soul to give you the sense that you are there watching the events as they unfold. Sing For Us is definitely a book you won't want to put down until you've read every paragraph. Great theme with universal truth, great lead character, exceptional take away value and satisfying ending, this book has it all. If you liked the Pulitzer Prize winning Civil War historical fiction classic Andersonville, you will love this book. Sir Walter Scott would be proud of this contribution to his literary genre.

The title and book discription suggests a story of a nurse perhaps singing to dreadfully wounded patients to ease their recovery. The book is actually about the hideous conditions found in a civil war hospital, where if the field artillery didn't kill you the medical practice of the day would. Very depressing and difficult to read. 98% of book deals with horrid wounds, death and dismemberment and maybe 2% with the joy singing brought to wounded soldiers.

With no description of battle scenes, Steven Wise sets forth the destruction and individual losses engendered by the Civil War. Most of the book takes places in the Richmond hospital that was called Chimborazo, believed to be the largest military hospital in the world in the 1860's. The main character Letha Bartlett is modeled after Phoebe Yates Pember, who was the matron of Chimborazo during the War between the States. Wise writes with the cadences of the language at that time to melodious effect - and presents the maimed, crippled, and damaged soldiers with a stunning impact on the reader. I can't say quite why this book affected me so (the Civil War is not a theme that I care to read about, for the most part), but it has - I think it will haunt me for quite some time. Steven Wise has a literary gift, and he has done well in making these men and women come alive for us 150 years after their lives became part of our tragic history.

Extremely touching novel.

I enjoyed this book so much that I purchased a copy and donated to our public library. Now it's available for many readers to enjoy it too.

I truly enjoy historical fiction, it is my favorite genre, and i liked this book. The author captures the atmosphere of civil war america in his storytelling and includes realities of war that go beyond the boundaries of just an entertaining story line.

Love the book