The Civil War Battle Series

by James Reasoner

James Reasoner's Civil War Battle Series follows the Brannons, a farming family from Virginia. Although the father has passed on, his wife Abigail still oversees the day-to-day operation with her four sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Will, additionally serves as Culpeper's town sheriff. Just as he has a run-in with some of the town's rowdiest citizens, the war breaks out between the North and the South. MANASSAS is the first book in the Brannon family saga highlighting Civil War battles.

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Cumberland House Spring 1999

James Reasoner introduces the Brannon clan of Culpepper County, Virginia, in the rousing first installment of a projected eight-volume (has expanded to at least ten volumes) series set amid the action and the agony of the Civil War. Fiercely devoted to the Confederacy and to each other, the six Brannon siblings anxiously await news of secession as a deadly feud erupts between Will Brannon, sheriff of Culpepper County, and the lawless Fogarty gang. When Will shoots and kills Joe Fogarty, he is forced to leave the family farm in order to ensure the safety of his mother, his sister, and his brothers. Enlisting in the Army of Northern Virginia, Will prepares for the Battle of Manassas, where he must face both the Union army and the surviving Fogarty brothers. Fraught with tension, drama, and tantalizing hints of future romance, this vividly rendered family saga will hook fans of meaty historical fiction. --Booklist

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Cumberland House Fall 1999

Shiloh, the second volume of James Reasoner's Civil War Battle series, continues the story of the Brannon family of Culpeper County, Va., begun in Manassas. Cory Brannon, who went West in search of opportunity, is down and out and close to desperation when he finds opportunity and love on a Mississippi river boat. But then the war catches up to him, and he is caught in the carnage of Shiloh. Reasoner's plain spoken prose and judicious use of historical detail distinguish his well-regarded work, and this installment of his series is another sturdy novel of action and adventure. --Publisher's Weekly

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Cumberland House Spring 2000

Antietam, the third book in the series, commanders of North and South maneuver across the landscape of northern Virginia and the war comes within view of the Brannon family farm. The din of drilling soldiers overcomes the quiet country seat, and another son answers the call to arms. A gifted horseman, Mac "jines" the cavalry of James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart, and soon finds himself on one of the greatest adventures of the war. Booklist described Antitam as "Fraught with passion, tension, and tenderness, this enthralling family saga will appeal to fans of epic well-researched historical fiction."

Cumberland House Fall 2000	Chancellorsville, the fourth book in the series, opens with Cory Brannon, the son who had gone west to seek his fortune, in search of his sweetheart, Lucille Farrell. He discovers that he may be able to help provide the South with food, weapons, and ammunition brought into the country through Texas by blockade-runners. The path, however, is strewn with unsavory characters and danger. Meanwhile, Will and Mac are brought home with the war, which means of course that the war is getting even closer to their family farm.
Cumberland House Spring 2001	Vicksburg is the fifth volume in a series of historical novels spanning the Civil War featuring the Brannon family of Culpeper County, Virginia. The focus turns to the west and the Southern stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi, where Cory Brannon is working to keep the town supplied by wagon train and railroad from Texas. Vicksburg is the key to the Mississippi River and the linchpin to the Confederacy, and Abraham Lincoln wants to put that key in his pocket. For almost a year the Federal army and navy have tried to dislodge the Confederates, but they have gained nothing. Finally, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the hero of Forts Henry and Donelson and the battle of Shiloh, is dispatched to take the town by any means possible.
Cumberland House Fall 2001	GETTYSBURG the sixth volume finds Stonewall Jackson dead. Despite that tragedy, Confederate morale was never higher. The last act of the general had been the climax of his partnership with Robert E. Lee in the wooded ground known as Chancellorsville. Victory had again come to an overmatched army against impossible odds. When the smoke had cleared from the battlefield, the Southerners savored the sight of the Union army in retreat. In less than a year's time, the Federals had been pushed back from the outskirts of Richmond and now virtually out of Virginia. At this point, a confident commander conceives a bold plan. Thus begins this newest addition to The Civil War Battle Series, the Brannon family saga, which has been praised as "robust, detail-rich and well-paced,...equal parts pathos and accuracy" (Publisheršs Weekly) and "Fraught with passion, tension, and tenderness" (Booklist).
Cumberland House Spring 2002	CHICKAMAUGA the seventh volume finds the seven members of the Brannon family of Culpeper County, Virginia experiencing a wide range of hardships of war. The Southern setbacks have fallen hard on the Brannon family. First came the news of Lee's defeat at Gettysburg, followed almost immediately by word of the fall of Vicksburg.
Cumberland House - Fall 2002	SHENADOAH- the eighth volume shows that the last six months of 1863 have taken a toll on the Brannon family of Culpeper County, but the winter finally has forced the armies to suspend campaigning. What little calm Christmas brings, however is shattered. The war has wreaked havoc on all and not everyone survives.
Cumberland House Spring 2003	SAVANNAH- the ninth volume finds the Brannon family farm in Culpeper County Virginia behind enemy lines. One Brannon is fighting in the Shenandoah Valley, one is trapped in Savannah, and another brother is thrust into the war. Despair grips the Confederacy. Fractured and defeated at every turn, the nation asks itself how much longer it can continue to fight.
Cumberland House Spring 2003	APPOMATTOX- the tenth and final volume finds the Brannon family with sons in every theater of the war. For a time, Mac and Titus fight in the Shenandoah, Mac with Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry at the battle of Third Winchester and Titus with Mosby's Rangers in the cut and slash tactics of guerrilla warfare. The Cavalry, however, must throw its weight behind the defenses at Petersburg, where U.S. Grant's army methodically pressures the remnants of Robert E. Lee's legions. Cory fights against William T Sherman in the Carolinas, and Henry rides with Nathan Bedford Forrest in Alabama.

Cumberland House Fall 2000	MURDER MOST CONFEDERATE, Tales of Crimes Most Uncivil "The Hessian" by Doug Allyn, "The Price Of Coal" by Edward D. Hoch, "Last Hours In Richmond" by Brendan DuBois, "Veterans" by John Lutz, "The Cobblestones of Saratoga Street" by Avram Davidson, "A House Divided" by Marc Bilgrey, "Blossoms and Blood" by Janet Berliner, "Whistling Dixie" by Billie Sue Mosiman, "Behind Enemy Lines" by John Helfers & Carol Rondou, "The Unknown Soldier" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, "A Woman's Touch" by Max Allan Collins & Matthew V. Clemens, "Ghost" by Bradley H. Sinor, "The Last Day Of The War" by James Reasoner, "Valuables" by Kristine Scheid, "The Face" by Edward Gorman, "Matthew In The Morning" by Gary A. Braunbeck.

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