The General and Monaville, Texas

by Joe G. Bax

While the strife of the Civil War is over, the conflict in Monaville, Texas is just beginning -- and John Ross Wilhite seems to be in the middle of it all. For John Ross, the world is a confusing... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1934572241
• ISBN13: 9781934572245
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Emerald Book Co
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Well written post-Civil War fiction

Touching on a piece of history that I think is too often overlooked, author Joe G. Bax successfully paints a vivid picture of a small Texas town during the tumultuous period that followed the Civil War. With a wide cast of characters, ranging from the prosperous land owner to the poor share cropper, from former slaves to Kluxers, The General explores the turbulent and violent era commonly known as Reconstruction. General Leander Wilhite, for whom the book is named, is a quiet, reclusive character, while John Ross, his grandson, takes the lead in the story. A former Confederate commander, General Wilhite returns to his plantation Catulpa to put the war behind him and try to come to terms with the momentous change the that has been wrought upon society. Through his grandson John Ross, the reader gets a glimpse of the emotions, the discord, the violence, and the fear that gripped the nation, and especially the South, after the war. My only criticism would be that, for those like me who enjoy long, meaty novels with well-developed characters, this one falls short at only 168 pages. For those who enjoy quick reads, this is good historical fiction, a well-crafted story of race relations, revenge and retaliation by an author with a unique voice and authentic writing style.

The real post Civil War reconstruction

I'm a history buff. I like books like this. Books that are clearly written, entertaining, surprising, and full of interesting characters. Although fictional, it reads as if it really happened. And surely events like these could have happened somewhere in the post Civil War South. The author has painted a story of ordinary small town folk, black and white, well-to-do and poor, struggling with momentous changes in their lives. Joe Bax's view is vastly different, and more authentic, than any study of the Reconstruction. A wonderful book.

A Native Texan Likes It

I could't put it down. Now I want to know what happens as a lead-up to this story, and what happens after. Is there a trilogy in the making?

The General and Monaville, Texas

This is the best book I have read in many years - you will not want to put it down and then near the end you will not want it to end. My family will receive copies for their birthday. My hope is that this author has many more books on the ready.

A Call for Ultimate Sacrifice

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (7/09) "The General and Monaville, Texas" is a skillfully blended mix of historical fiction, humor, race relations, coming of age, revenge, and retaliation. The book is a literary work of fiction set in the reconstruction era immediately following the Civil War, the freeing of the slaves, and the repercussions of facilitating this freedom in the areas surrounding Monaville, Texas. The story is narrated by the young teenage grandson of General Leander Wilhite. The General has returned to the family plantation, Catalpa, to resume his life, hoping to put the war behind him. He assumed responsibility for the horses and livestock and turned the cotton fields and management of the sharecroppers to his son to oversee. The General virtually withdrew from society and fell into a set pattern to carry out his chosen responsibilities. Young John Ross is faced with unanswered questions. The slaves have been officially freed; however, some of the citizens of Monaville cannot accept this as fact. There is an undercurrent of racial tension as the Klan seeks to undermine the competition of the new regime of former slave sharecroppers. Joe Bax combines humorous incidents of a budding friendship, gossiped "romance" with his classmate Miss Afton, his twin sisters, enduring church services, a turtle farm project, and a buffalo roping contest. Using the vernacular of dirt poor white sharecroppers, and former slaves Bax introduces genuine characters like, Blue, Momma Mae, the Weiberg family, Ocy McCoy, and Big Charlie. Other key characters include: John Ross' parents Luther and Devon Wilhite, The Colonel, Dale, Broken Feather and Rack. As the tension builds, the "Kluxers" add to their acts of destruction and torment to malicious murder. They kill an innocent son of Blue, a former slave, in an attempt to retaliate the death of McCoy's son. The sheriff and Yankee district attorney join in the conspiracy to indict and convict Colonel Reams Whitworth of murder. The General personally senses the need and is called on to take action against the planned injustice. Joe G. Bax writes with feeling. He involves the emotions, develops genuine characters that are believable allowing the reader to identify with them. He has carefully crafted a plot which builds to a crescendo of suspense and an unexpected climatic conclusion. "The General and Monaville, Texas" by Joe G. Bax is destined to become an award-winning, literary best-seller. This is a book that should be in the library of every public school, and on the required reading list of every teacher and professor who teaches American Civil War History! Phenomenal writing, engaging reading.