An Undivided Union By: Oliver Optic (1822-1897)
An Undivided Union by Oliver Optic is a captivating historical fiction novel set during the American Civil War. The story follows the lives of two young men, Larry and his friend Stackpole, as they navigate the challenges of war and loyalty. One of the strengths of this book is the well-developed characters. Larry and Stackpole's friendship is built on trust and shared experiences, making their journey together all the more compelling. The author does an excellent job of portraying their growth as individuals, showcasing their courage, determination, and sacrifices. Moreover, Optic masterfully creates a vivid backdrop for the narrative. The descriptions of battle scenes and the overall atmosphere of the war are richly detailed, allowing readers to immerse themselves in this pivotal period of history. Additionally, the author evokes a strong sense of time and place, transporting readers to the heart of the Union army and offering a unique perspective on the war. The plot is tightly woven and filled with suspense, ensuring that readers remain engaged from the beginning till the end. Optic presents a balanced view of the Civil War, shedding light on the complexities of the conflict rather than simply portraying it as a black-and-white struggle. The internal struggles faced by the characters, torn between their loyalty to their country and the desire for individual freedom, add depth and emotional resonance to the story. Furthermore, the book touches on important themes such as loyalty, bravery, and the search for identity. It raises thought-provoking questions about the consequences of war and the value of standing up for one's beliefs. These deeper layers give the narrative added depth and make it more than just a war story. One aspect that may be a downside for some readers is the occasional heavy-handedness of the dialogues. At times, the conversations between characters feel overly didactic, where political and moral viewpoints are expounded upon excessively. This can detract from the flow of the story, making it feel more preachy than necessary. Overall, An Undivided Union is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on the American Civil War. Oliver Optic's skillful storytelling and well-drawn characters bring the era to life, immersing readers in the struggles and triumphs of these young soldiers. Despite its occasional didacticism, this book is a worthwhile read for history enthusiasts and fans of historical fiction alike. First Page: [Illustration: "WATER!" HE MURMURED, "WATER!" Page 115. ] The Blue and the Gray On Land AN UNDIVIDED UNION BY OLIVER OPTIC AUTHOR OF "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES" "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD, FIRST AND SECOND SERIES" "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES" "THE GREAT WESTERN SERIES" "THE WOODVILLE STORIES" "THE ONWARD AND UPWARD SERIES" "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES" "THE YACHT CLUB SERIES" "THE RIVERDALE STORIES" "THE BOAT BUILDER SERIES" "THE BLUE AND THE GRAY AFLOAT" "ALL OVER THE WORLD FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD SERIES" "THE BLUE AND THE GRAY ON LAND" ETC. ETC. ETC. COMPLETED BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER AUTHOR OF "THE OLD GLORY SERIES" "BOUND TO SUCCEED SERIES" ETC. BOSTON LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS 1899 COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY LEE AND SHEPARD. All Rights Reserved. AN UNDIVIDED UNION. Norwood Press J. S. Cushing & Co. Berwick & Smith Norwood Mass. U.S.A. To My Friend FRED D. IRISH WHOSE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT AND SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS IN DISTRIBUTING MY BOOKS AMONG THE YOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN A CONSTANT INSPIRATION This Work is Affectionately Dedicated PUBLISHERS' PREFACE The outline and incomplete material of AN UNDIVIDED UNION were left among the papers of the late William T. Adams ("Oliver Optic"), and the same notes that were to complete the "Blue and Gray On Land" series also closed the life work of America's best known writer of boys' stories... Continue reading book >>

An Undivided Union By: Oliver Optic (1822-1897)

An Undivided Union by Oliver Optic is a captivating historical fiction novel set during the American Civil War. The story follows the lives of two young men, Larry and his friend Stackpole, as they navigate the challenges of war and loyalty.

One of the strengths of this book is the well-developed characters. Larry and Stackpole's friendship is built on trust and shared experiences, making their journey together all the more compelling. The author does an excellent job of portraying their growth as individuals, showcasing their courage, determination, and sacrifices.

Moreover, Optic masterfully creates a vivid backdrop for the narrative. The descriptions of battle scenes and the overall atmosphere of the war are richly detailed, allowing readers to immerse themselves in this pivotal period of history. Additionally, the author evokes a strong sense of time and place, transporting readers to the heart of the Union army and offering a unique perspective on the war.

The plot is tightly woven and filled with suspense, ensuring that readers remain engaged from the beginning till the end. Optic presents a balanced view of the Civil War, shedding light on the complexities of the conflict rather than simply portraying it as a black-and-white struggle. The internal struggles faced by the characters, torn between their loyalty to their country and the desire for individual freedom, add depth and emotional resonance to the story.

Furthermore, the book touches on important themes such as loyalty, bravery, and the search for identity. It raises thought-provoking questions about the consequences of war and the value of standing up for one's beliefs. These deeper layers give the narrative added depth and make it more than just a war story.

One aspect that may be a downside for some readers is the occasional heavy-handedness of the dialogues. At times, the conversations between characters feel overly didactic, where political and moral viewpoints are expounded upon excessively. This can detract from the flow of the story, making it feel more preachy than necessary.

Overall, An Undivided Union is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on the American Civil War. Oliver Optic's skillful storytelling and well-drawn characters bring the era to life, immersing readers in the struggles and triumphs of these young soldiers. Despite its occasional didacticism, this book is a worthwhile read for history enthusiasts and fans of historical fiction alike.

First Page:

[Illustration: "WATER!" HE MURMURED, "WATER!"

Page 115. ]

The Blue and the Gray On Land

AN UNDIVIDED UNION

OLIVER OPTIC

AUTHOR OF "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES" "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD, FIRST AND SECOND SERIES" "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES" "THE GREAT WESTERN SERIES" "THE WOODVILLE STORIES" "THE ONWARD AND UPWARD SERIES" "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES" "THE YACHT CLUB SERIES" "THE RIVERDALE STORIES" "THE BOAT BUILDER SERIES" "THE BLUE AND THE GRAY AFLOAT" "ALL OVER THE WORLD FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD SERIES" "THE BLUE AND THE GRAY ON LAND" ETC. ETC. ETC.

COMPLETED BY

EDWARD STRATEMEYER

AUTHOR OF "THE OLD GLORY SERIES" "BOUND TO SUCCEED SERIES" ETC.

BOSTON LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS 1899

AN UNDIVIDED UNION.

Norwood Press J. S. Cushing & Co. Berwick & Smith Norwood Mass. U.S.A.

To My Friend

FRED D. IRISH

WHOSE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT AND SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS

IN DISTRIBUTING MY BOOKS

AMONG THE YOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES

HAS BEEN A CONSTANT INSPIRATION

This Work is Affectionately Dedicated

PUBLISHERS' PREFACE

The outline and incomplete material of AN UNDIVIDED UNION were left among the papers of the late William T. Adams ("Oliver Optic"), and the same notes that were to complete the "Blue and Gray On Land" series also closed the life work of America's best known writer of boys' stories... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Fiction
History

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Wikipedia – An Undivided Union

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