Book
Introduction
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It is June 30th, 1863. The Sixth Pennsylvania, Union Cavalry,
and the Ninth Virginia, Confederate Cavalry, have met time and
again on the battlefields of the Civil War, most recently in
a titanic clash of cavalry corps at Brandy Station where the
two regiments fought man to man against each other. Now the
entire Confederate Army has come north into Pennsylvania and
a monumental battle is imminent. Colonel George Sedgewick and
Lieutenant Jack O'Brien have led their Sixth Pennsylvanians
in pursuit of Captain David Lancaster's battalion of Ninth Virginians,
only to discover the dead body of Ephraim MacQuire, who has
been robbed and murdered by a marauding band of Confederate
guerrillas. The two Union officers take MacQuire's orphan under
their wings, little realizing the far-reaching consequences
this small act of generosity will have on their lives, as well
as the lives of Lancaster and his First Sergeant, Benjamin Harrington.
Thus begins the fast-paced
and engaging Hoops of Steel...
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About
the Author -
Ann
Georgi Leonard lives on a hilltop in the beautiful Finger Lakes
Region of upstate New York. She and her husband, Charles, built
their rustic home using lumber harvested from their forest.
Their historical farm was once owned by a Civil War veteran.
She and Charles are
endurance orienteers and compete internationally. They have
three sons, Matthew, Shawn, and Benjamin. Ann is a graduate
of Cornell University. Hoops of Steel is Ann's
first novel and is Book I of a trilogy set during the American
Civil War.
Ann Georgi Leonard
has been interested in Civil War history since childhood, and
her interest peaked while she was a student at Cornell University.
The book is a fascinating read and Leonard skillfully weaves
historical and fictional characters throughout the book.
There are many characters
in Hoops of Steel and Leonard's meticulous attention
to detail built a beautifully crafted cast of characters, both
historical and fictional. In addition, she includes a glossary
of Civil War terms.
While doing research
for this book, Ann discovered there were women in the Civil
War who fought disguised as men. This little-known fact became
integral to the story.
To provide comments
to the author, please click
here.
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Book
Reviews - Top
Praise for Leonard's book includes those who enjoy Civil War
history as well as experts in the American Civil War.
Following
are some comments about Leonard's Hoops of Steel
Robert
McNamara, Major U. S. Army Ret. writes..."Leonard has created
an engaging look into a small chapter of Civil War history....
Historically accurate, she has done her research well. Her experience
enabled this tale to become not only enjoyable but believable.
An excellent read."
Joel Silbey, President
White Professor of History, Cornell University, writes in part...
"Her narrative of the Gettysburg campaign is vivid and realistic,
illuminating, honest, and faithful to the record. [Hoops
of Steel] is both a good read and historically interesting.
A first-rate example of this kind of literature."
Patrick Gorman, actor,
who played Major General Hood in the film Gettysburg,
had this to say... "Ann Georgi Leonard has made the setting
of that great conflict more vivid and alive by mixing historical
and imagined characters into a rich blend of storytelling. This
is what historical fiction ought to be-a pleasure to read."
