Travelers of the Gray Dawn by Paul Grimshaw

To say that Tommy Fuller has a major problem is a gross understatement! His day began with a challenging, as well as frightening, situation that was not destined to rapidly improve.

Tommy, Greg Jackson and Mike Phillips are all Civil War enthusiasts,  participating in a major reenactment event. Circumstances bring them together on a journey that transports them into the actual Battle of Gettysburg and into a time where they discover that the Civil War seems to have concluded very differently than their knowledge of history represents.

Embroiled in a situation where they are ultimately living as fugitives in this very different society, they must claw and scratch their way back to their own time and lives. Can they trust anyone to help?

I read this book with particular interest, as I have a old friend who is an expert on Civil War history and happens to be an active reenactor. He performs a one man show in which he dresses in uniform and tells his story of being in the Civil War, describes the physical conditions, the emotional conflicts, the governmental/moral issues of the time, and is so convincing in his performance, one would believe he had really been there in that capacity. Many historical society chapters invite him to speak, and I must say that hearing him is an intriguing experience. A room in his house has been effectively converted into a museum of Civil War memorabilia, and visiting him and his home is unforgettable.

Reading Travelers of the Gray Dawn is a similar experience. It is far more than a step back in time. It takes the division of the north and south states one step further and considers what life might have been like if the outcome of the war had been significantly different. The book is a combination of time travel, history, fiction, and science fiction with a touch of romance included for good measure.

Author Paul Grimshaw educates us about various aspects of the Civil War, while painting a vivid picture of the social implications of such a horrifically divided time in our nation’s history.  Reading the book caused me to pause and ask the question, “What lessons did we learn from the Civil War?” As much as I love friends and family from both the north and the south, I am very much aware that there are still people who harbor resentment toward “those Yankee northern aggressors.”  And there are northerners who still think of the southerners as unsophisticated “Rebels.” How much progress has been achieved in erasing the division and disrespect? Will these stereotypes ever be eliminated?

On another note, this book also sheds some light on what the eager reenactors really do on those battlefields--something that always sparked my curiosity. I could definitely visualize this story as a possibility for the big screen. I hope that Paul Grimshaw will let us know when the movie will be released and if we are invited to its debut!!

Book Description

What if...? What if the South had won the American Civil War? What might the world look like in 2013 if, in 1863, the Confederated States of America won the Civil War? These issues are considered in the action-adventure time-travel thriller "Travelers of the Gray Dawn." This fast moving, movie-like story has been said to be as if "Cold Mountain" meets "Back to the Future" with a little "National Treasure" thrown in for the "fun factor." Join three modern day Civil War reenactors who begin their morning at the 150th Anniversary reenactment of The Battle of Gettysburg, and accidentally stumble through time and space finding themselves in a world that seems familiar in some ways, but is very different in others. This novel, from freelance journalist Paul Grimshaw, takes aim as part cautionary tale, part mystery, and part cops & robbers with a love story at its heart.

A Mini-Interview with Paul Grimshaw

What prompted you to write the story? “I’ve always been a big Sci-Fi fan (too much Twilight Zone as a kid) and an American history buff.  When I saw my first Civil War reenactment in Franklin, TN 25 years ago, I had this crazy notion about a fun story involving time travel and the South winning the Civil War.”

How long did it take you to complete the project? “Who knows? I worked on it in fits and starts over the past 25 years, dropping for 10 years  at one point, picking it back up, stopping for 2 or 3 years, etc. But with the approach of the Sesquicentennial (150^th) of the Civil War approaching, I made a mad dash to finish in 2012, just before the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (2013).”

Are you currently working on Volume II? “Yes and no! I’ve decided on a prequel, and have the rough story idea mapped out in my head, but no actual words to paper (or computer screen) yet. But soon!  I should note that I have a new book deal almost wrapped up with Arcadia Publishing in Charleston. It will be a non-fiction Civil War history and photo archive project, released in 2015. Arcadia is huge – international, 9,000 titles in print, and they are the distribution partner that’s been selling my book at select Walmart stores.”

About the Author

Freelance journalist / musician Paul R. Grimshaw is a lifetime amateur historian, with distant ties, like many Americans, to the U.S. Civil War. Born in Syracuse, New York, Grimshaw has traveled extensively and lived for extended periods in Nashville, TN, Central Mo, and South Carolina, where he currently resides. His debut novel, Travelers of the Gray Dawn, combines his love of sci-fi and history to answer the "What if?" questions of a modern world, in the wake of a Confederate victory. Grimshaw is an active Civil War reenactor, participating in as many 150th Anniversary reenactments as his schedule will allow. He was a part of the historic 150th Gettysburg Reenactment in July, 2013, along with 15,000 reenactors and 100,000 spectators.

Paul Grimshaw

Visit his Amazon page at:  http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Gray-Dawn-Paul-Grimshaw-ebook/dp/B00DH3J8UK

For additional information visit:  

http://www.travelersofthegraydawn.com

AND   http://www.paulgrimshawmedia.com

PLEASE NOTE--Paul Grimshaw and Travelers of the Gray Dawn will be featured:

·       September 6, 2014 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Market Common, Myrtle Beach, SC

·       September 27, 2014 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Clock Tower Books, 105 Screven Street, Georgetown, SC

Stop by, visit the author, and purchase a copy that he will graciously sign!

I will be taking a summer break from blogging on this site, but will periodically feature some particularly interesting books. Check back for updates!

Mary Anne Benedetto

Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect, From Italy with Love & Limoncello and Write Your Pet's Life Story in 7 Easy Steps!

Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com

*****

M1 Brothers by Bill Hancock

The truth is that I didn’t know much about the Korean War before my exposure to this book. I wasn’t even sure I would enjoy reading about weapons and conflict, but Bill Hancock writes a story that gives such intricate details, it is obvious that only one who has been there could so accurately describe the setting, the atmosphere and the intensity.

His protagonist, CC, is a genuine gentleman and a talented marksman. Since he is the epitome of a good guy, could he really kill someone in battle if necessary? He comes from a family where military service has been tradition, but does this super nice guy have the killer instinct if he or his fellow soldiers find themselves under duress? You will discover the answer to these questions.

Reading this story reminded me of my own Dad briefly mentioning that during his World War II service, he knew and was prepared to do whatever was necessary under any given circumstances, but was always thankful that he never came face to face with an enemy individual whom he would personally have to kill. I can surely understand why he would feel that way, and I am also certain that those whose war experiences did involve a "kill or be killed" situation would never again be the same person post-war. This is why so many who served and returned really didn’t want to discuss or relive their experiences.

What was it really like to suddenly find yourself in the service, separated from family, friends and life as one knew it? What was this Korean War all about? According to http://www.history.com, it was a short but exceptionally bloody war. It began on June 25, 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea and ended on July 27, 1953when an armistice agreement was signed, creating a DMZ patrolled by both sides at all times.

A visit to http://www.cnn.com indicates that there was never a peace treaty signed, so the war technically never ended. Hmm…interesting in view of news that frequently arises from that area, true?

Http://www.history.com tells us that nearly five million people died (that sounds like a mighty big number), and more than half were civilians. Almost 40,000 Americans died in action and more than 100,000 were wounded.

It is reported that as of June, 2013, 7,900 American soldiers are still reported as missing in action from the Korean War.

M1 Brothers takes place between September, 1952 and July, 1954, and Hancock provides the current headlines of the day at the beginning of each chapter. When I first began reading the book, I wasn’t sure I could really get into it; however, in a short time, I was hooked on the story and found that I was eager to see what would happen next.

It is a story enveloping a “who do you trust?” scenario. Who are the good guys? Are people who you think they are?

At first I was a little bit distracted by the fact that this book is written in the present tense, something I’m simply not accustomed to seeing. In time, I did get comfortable with that style and began to see that it perhaps brings the reader more into the moment.

There are some editing issues, but don’t let that stop you from reading an intriguing novel that is based on history with which many of us are rather unfamiliar. It turned out to be a very suspenseful, gripping read. I heard a rumor that there is a sequel in the works, and I’ll be ready to add it to my “To Read” list!

Book Description

Bill Hancock takes the reader on an adventure that chronicles life in the early fifties. M1 Brothers is a fast paced story that mingles military adventure with history, espionage, courage, honor and humor. The M1 Brothers find fraternity, love and deception, deal with psychological issues and create mischief akin to MASH.

Main character, Charlie Canfield, CC to all, is the reluctant scion of a lineage of warriors. He worries about his ability to emulate these heroic predecessors even though he possesses the means that can make it possible.

Hancock's cruel and cunning North Korean master spy is Bek Man Sue. His goal is to disrupt and overturn the South Korean government, while brutally punishing adversaries. Brian Roberts is the uniquely talented pawn in this masterful tale as it whirls across the treacherous hills behind the DMZ (demilitarized zone).

In the Words of Bill Hancock

“This book was written because it is a story that I felt a need to tell. It is fiction based on historical fact that chronicles life in the early fifties. Our country had ended a terrible World War just a few years earlier at an enormous cost of life and wealth. The veterans of that war, who were deeply scarred in many ways, were finding their places back in society and now a new threat appears that many of their children are called to repulse. New members are called into the fraternity of the good to combat an ongoing existence of evil.”

About Bill Hancock

The author has more than 50 years of technical and management experience. Some 44 years were spent working for various corporations and another 8 years running his own consulting company. During all this, he gained recognition as a management and cost model innovator, product developer, inventor, technical author and mentor.

 

Bill Hancock

As a consultant, he worked on the Lockheed Martin Federal Systems Merlin Helicopter Training Program in England. Then he returned to create training materials and teach NASA approved classes in Project Management Fundamentals, Parametric Cost Estimating, Work Breakdown Structure and Configuration Management at NASA facilities around the country.

While at IBM for 26 years, he started as an engineer in the Information Records Division and worked on printing equipment for paper products sold by the corporation. To most IBM means International Business Machine Corporation, but to many within the corporation, it means I’ve Been Moved.

After a few years, he moved to the Federal Systems Division to work as a test director and reentry vehicle trajectory analyst. When that assignment was complete, he moved on to the Manassas, Virginia FSD plant to become a software cost engineer, systems and software cost engineering manager, subcontract program manager, deputy program manager and program manager.

Prior to IBM he worked for Ingersoll-Rand as a project engineer and developed the first fluidized hospital bed for burn patients. Before Ingersoll-Rand he held a senior designer position at Curtiss-Wright Electronics Division, a designer job at Bendix Corporation, a junior designer job at Curtiss-Wright, a draftsman position at Trowbridge Conveyor Co., and his first job was as a junior draftsman at Hewitt-Robins Inc. While working for Hewitt-Robins, Bill Hancock was called into service during Korean War in Army to serve as infantry soldier and battalion draftsman in Korea.  All education after high school was at night at Stevens Institute of Technology, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Newark College of Engineering.

Bill is now happily retired and enjoying life in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Link to Amazon page:  http://amzn.to/1fuOIy6

Stop by in a couple of weeks for a new article featuring another intriguing book!

Here's to Reading for a Better Life,

Mary Anne Benedetto

Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect and From Italy with Love & Limoncello.

Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com