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MWSA Review
Author Glenn Starkey has given us a very interesting and enjoyable read in his book Into the Cauldron. Although the book is a work of historical fiction, the author pulled a lot of the book from the true events mentioned in the actual diary of a Wisconsin cavalryman who served in the frontier. Starkey's description of the harsh realities facing a soldier in the 1860's pulled no punches. Dirty, cold, and undernourished, the soldiers had to be ready to fight no matter what the conditions. While the civil war wound down, the book's main character, Jonah Gustafson served in the frontier, in what is now west Kansas. The enemy he faced consisted of a variety of Indian tribes.
The book does an excellent job pointing out the atrocities committed by various soldiers against the Indians which certainly added to the hostile attitudes the Indians held against both the Union army and the settlers moving into and through their lands. However, it also points out that the Indians committed atrocities of their own. Rather than play a political blame game, Starkey focuses on the realities of life at the time. In doing so, he has given us an excellent book to read with an excellent focus on the experiences of one man. I recommend this book.
Review by Bob Doerr (March 2022)
Author's Synopsis
1864. After four cruel years, the Civil War still raged without peace in sight. The Union Army's manpower was stretched to its limits fighting on two fronts; one on the eastern battlefields against the Confederacy, the other to protect the Santa Fe Trail and western expansion of citizens from marauding Indian tribes and vicious Confederate guerrillas.
Jonah Gustafson's family was dead, leaving him to aimlessly wander. Rather than wait for the coming draft, he joined the 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, expecting to be sent east into the war between the states. Instead, his regiment went west to 'Bleeding' Kansas and war-torn Missouri. There, along the Santa Fe Trail, they fought every major Indian tribe and Quantrill's Raiders, a roaming, bloodthirsty guerrilla unit. Horrid weather and deplorable living conditions were the lonely troopers' constant companions. Death always lurked near whether from disease, a bullet, or an arrow. But the cavalry of the frontier fulfilled its duties against all odds.
"Into the Cauldron" is the life of Trooper Jonah Gustafson based upon true events written in the pages of a Civil War diary by a Wisconsin cavalryman that served on the frontier. It is a novel to enjoy and learn from; one that will carry you back in time to feel the joys, heartaches and anguish of those days.
Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 260