THE FALLING HILLS

by Perry Lentz ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1967

This epic, sustained and savage reconstruction of one battle in the Civil War, is impressive and devastating in effect when dealing with the blood and dust of war, and the times; less successful when, in weighting for the Southern viewpoint, solidity in some characterizations is sacrificed. The capture of Fort Pillow, a military base in Tennessee, focuses the hostilities, fears and ideologies of both North and South, mainly because the Northern fort is held by Negro troups, under white leadership, and Tennessee ""Tories,"" men who have either deserted or refused to join the Southern ranks. Leading the Negro troups are men happy with a soft berth and a commission they would not otherwise have; and one frenetic idealist from Boston, come to teach and lead the friendly primitives. The Negroes here are sketched out as children--savage and untrustworthy. The Southerners on the other hand are led by the tough General Forrest, cool in judgment, ruthless in driving his adoring men. The Southern officers grieve because of the hardships of their families, the inhumanity of war, yet fear even more the terror of the liberated Negro, hating the Northerner who had brought disaster to a secure society. To punish the renegade whites, to wipe out the scourge of the liberated Negro, the Southerners attack Fort Pillow and succeed, leaving a Northern killer on the loose to roam the countryside with his rifle and lunatic laugh. The waste and horror of war are brilliantly realized--one merely wishes the author's humanity had penetrated the Negro trenches. An exciting talent however; one to keep an eye on.

Pub Date: May 1, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1967

Categories: FICTION