THE SELFISH AND THE STRONG

by Richard Schuster ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 12, 1958

This highly creditable historical first novel, tells with a fluency and affecting power of that segment of the Civil War which was fought in eastern Kentucky, starting in 1861, when that state was uncommitted to either side. The battle for Kentucky was fought guerrilla style. Each military force gathered about it, or attracted to it, clouds of these partisans, guerrillas, men, not in the army and therefore not subject to military rule. Such a one was Bort Carey, a mountaineer, who, if he did not without reservation approve of Kentucky on the Union side, certainly repudiated the movement which would place his state among the Secessionists. Carey became a raider for the North and his war was one mingled with a family feud -- which in the beginning, rendered his motives suspect, and finally, when he had killed his long-time-antagonist, Lumsden, caused his own death by hanging. The Kentucky campaign was also a proving ground for Adonis Bent, who joined the northern forces as James Garfield's aid because there was nothing better to do and who fell in love with Rachel Snoden, a backwoods woman who would have been a belle in any other setting. Kentucky proved Garfield's military ability but was, in the long run, a tragic turning point for Bent and Rachel. Bent had found a purpose through the war and Rachel- a purpose which became muted in Rachel's death. A story earnest in its intensity, proliferate in its detail.

Pub Date: May 12, 1958

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1958

Categories: FICTION