The Freedom Star

Pulitzer Prize winner and war correspondent John Hersey once said: "Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it." Jeff Andrews' brilliant debut novel, The Freedom Star, which is an example of fiction at its best, transports readers back in time, allowing them to experience Virginia life in the 1860s.

Starting out strong and continuing at a relentless pace of non-stop adventure, The Freedom Star immerses readers in the lives, dreams, and sufferings of two families--one slave and one master--each bound to the other by the tobacco fields of South Boston, Virginia. The heart of this exciting tale revolves around Isaac, a young slave who yearns for the freedom that Henry McConnell, his friend and owner's son, takes for granted. After false promises, failed escapes, imprisonment, and the sting of his master's whip, Isaac's only hope of fleeing slavery and reuniting with the woman he loves lies in accompanying Henry and the Confederates on their march north. When Yankees wound Henry and take him prisoner, Isaac finds himself behind the Union lines, free, but with a choice to continue north toward his dream or to return to slavery to save his friend.

Andrews' meticulous research skillfully and accurately blends Isaac's experiences with those of actual people living during this time. Through clever use of intense dialogue and internal monologue masterfully rendered, Andrews captures the flavor of the area, times, and inter-relations between slaves and non-slaves. The fictional dream, vivid and continuous throughout this story, hooks the reader from the start and stays with them long after the last words are read.

The Freedom Star is a must read that deserves to be on every best sellers list.

Yes, this novel takes place over the American Civil War era, but unlike previous books, it is not concerned with the strategies of presidents and generals, but rather the stresses on ordinary people. It adroitly covers the lives of a plantation owner's son, Henry, and teenage slave, Isaac. Their enduring companionship from childhood is in stark contrast to Isaac's struggles against slave-driven plantations, and West Point cadet Henry's alarm at the widening schism between North and South.

Isaac plans his eventual freedom, hoping sometime to follow the north running slaves he assists along the Underground Railroad. And Henry, disturbed when the South attacks Fort Sumter, prefers the nation stay together, yet follows the Virginia Infantry Volunteers to war.

The well crafted, though slow developing, stories of Isaac and Henry run parallel from the start, with minimal interaction between the two, like jumping back and forth between two books, however, the independent dramas finally merge when Henry, shot and wounded by Northern soldiers, returns to his family plantation to recover. Later, Henry and Isaac, his servant, proceed to the confederate battle lines. Intense combat inspires desperate, noble men to make bold decisions and shocking sacrifices.

Isaac experiences marginal ups and severe downs as if living Murphy's Law (anything that can go wrong will go wrong). His heartbreaking downfalls and miraculous comebacks would make a fascinating movie.

For those interested in 1860s American life, Andrews's exhaustive research will satisfy every curiosity. "--- a Christmas tree bedecked with strings of popped corn, garlands, and candied fruits." Powered by a steam engine, "A rhythmic pounding filled the room as leather belts and metal pulleys transferred power to lathes, drills, and saws, while heat from the engine circulated through a wood-drying kiln."

And Andrews's articulation of period diction is remarkable. "But I didn't get kilt, and you didn't get took up by them pattyrollers, neither." "O-one more w-word outta you and I'll blow a hole clean through your lying hide. Now t-turn this here wagon around. We's going to Yanceyville."

Fans of the Civil War face an almost limitless array of choices. No conflict has sparked so many pages it seems. But as captivating as accounts of battles and leaders might be, it is easy to lose sight of the intensely personal issues of this great conflict. Freedom Star brings the reader up close to two characters who frame the issues of the Civil War in a way that no battle portrayals can. Told from the alternating viewpoints of Isaac, a young slave, and Henry, his boyhood chum, the author sets up a tense scenario of conflicting goals: Isaac wants freedom. Henry, whose father owns Isaac along with the rest of his family, cannot understand Isaac's discontent. The war stretches the bonds of lifelong friendships and reshapes relationships. Freedom Star breathes new life into an old story, and the narrative is made even stronger because of the writer's strong military background. Don't miss this one!!!

Just finished reading "The Freedom Star". A Civil War History buff and avid reader of many Civil War related books this work captures the pathos of those victimized by slavery as well as the ethos of the institution of slavery. I found Jeff Andrews' book both powerful and evocative . His insights and sense of awareness provide for a forceful and convincing narrative. Job well done .

I loved the book. I like historical novels and this was one of the best I have read about the Civil War era.

The characters & the era are poignantly drawn, the more you read the greater your involvement with them. Once done, you crave a sequel...these characters have more stories in them.

This book faithfully traces the path of history at the start of the Civil War and how that momentous event affected ordinary people, both free and slave. It portrays the difference in attitudes even among Southern slave owners and shines a refreshing light on the strong beliefs held at that time and how they had been formed over years of status quo. They were about to be overturned though, and this book shows how this must have happened. A very insightful look at pre-war Virginia.

Most of the old south books I have read were staged in the southern states - Georgia, S. Carolina. The Freedom Star is the first book I read pertaining to the tobacco plantations. For me, it was new and exciting. From the confusion of which side Virginia would choose right down to the description of events on the battlefield, I was pleased to read a different point of view. The Freedom Star is very well written. I was so engrossed that I hated for it to end. I want more books written by Jeff Andrews!

A very well written story that will stay with you well after the last pages are read. This is in "1860 "and has some actual historical people included in the story. I would absolutely recommend reading this book.

Hello Jeff!!!! I just got through reading Freedom Star and just have to say it was an amazing story told through so many perspectives. It was so visceral at times that I had to stop and catch my breath and even shed a few tears. To realize the reality of those times, to have your words bring that time and those people on all sides of the war to life, is truley an amazing gift. I see you are going to write a sequal to this book and I am so very glad you are.....there are just too many lives left to to be told about at the end of this story. Even though I could use my own imagination to finish them, I am looking forward to reading how you carry them on. You sir are an amazing author and I am really looking forward to more of your writings! God bless you!