King's Mountain: A Ballad Novel

by Sharyn McCrumb

Hardcover, 2013

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Publication

New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2013

Description

"From the New York Times bestselling author--the first Ballad novel to feature the epic, and gorgeously-portrayed, American Revolution John Sevier had not taken much interest in the American Revolution, he was too busy fighting Indians in the Carolinas and taming the wilderness. But when an arrogant British officer threatened his settlement--promising to burn the farms and kill families--the war became personal. That arrogant officer is Patrick Ferguson of the British Army--who is both charmingly antagonistic and surprisingly endearing. Inventor of the Ferguson rifle, and the devoted lover to his mistress, Virginia Sal, Patrick becomes a delightful anti-hero under McCrumb's watchful eye. Through varying perspectives, King's Mountain is an elegant saga of the Carolina Overmountain Men--the militia organized by Sevier (who would later become the first governor of Tennessee) and their victory in 1780 against the Tories in a battle that Thomas Jefferson later called, "The turning point of the American Revolution." Peppered with lore and the authentic heart of the people in McCrumb's classic Ballads, this is an epic book that will build on the success of The Ballad of Tom Dooley and her recent return to the New York Times bestseller list. Featuring the American Revolution, this a huge draw to readers old and new, and special to McCrumb who can trace her lineage to the character John Sevier"-- "John Sevier had not taken much interest in the American Revolution, he was too busy fighting Indians in the Carolinas and taming the wilderness. But when an arrogant British officer threatened his settlement--promising to burn the farms and kill families--the war became personal. That arrogant officer is Patrick Ferguson of the British Army--who is both charmingly antagonistic and surprisingly endearing. Inventor of the Ferguson rifle, and the devoted lover to his mistress, Virginia Sal, Patrick becomes a delightful anti-hero under McCrumb's watchful eye. Through varying perspectives, King's Mountain is an elegant saga of the Carolina Overmountain Men--the militia organized by Sevier (who would later become the first governor of Tennessee) and their victory in 1780 against the Tories in a battle that Thomas Jefferson later called, "The turning point of the American Revolution." Peppered with lore and the authentic heart of the people in McCrumb's classic Ballads, this is an epic book that will build on the success of The Ballad of Tom Dooley and her recent return to the New York Times bestseller list. Featuring the American Revolution, this a huge draw to readers old and new, and special to McCrumb who can trace her lineage to the character John Sevier"--… (more)

Media reviews

Booklist
This meticulously detailed retelling of the battle at King's Mountain, North Carolina, in October 1780 lacks some of the emotional impact of her other novels, favoring instead a richly described portrait of landscape, weather, and battle strategy on the way to the fight that marked a turning point
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in the American Revolution. At King's Mountain, British Major Patrick Ferguson defends the Crown's sovereignty over the colonies, but the Over-mountain Men, led by Southern Whigs and the author's own forebear, John Sevier, roundly defeat him. Told in first person by Sevier and Virginia Sal, Ferguson's mistress, the narrative follows the buildup to battle various missives deceive, inform, and shock commanders who vie for control of their own and each other's men along the way.
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User reviews

LibraryThing member MikeRhode
Ok, but not a typical ballad novel. Rather it's a historical war novel with a very slight supernatural edge.
LibraryThing member delphimo
I have attempted to read this book twice. I have thoroughly enjoyed Sharyn McCrumb's books in the past, but her style has turned didactic. I felt that I was reading a history book, and not a novel. Too many historic and military dialogues clouded the story. I am sorry that I could not complete the
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book, but many books exist that will catch my attention.
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LibraryThing member bgknighton
The American Revolution is something that is happening over the mountains until Patrick Ferguson makes it personal for the Overmountain militia. The unpaid, untrained militia men of Appalachia take the war to the British and win a pivotal battle.
LibraryThing member brone
A very good story
LibraryThing member drmom62
This is one book I may have enjoyed reading rather than listening to as an audiobook. I think the reader detracted from the book itself. Interesting history
LibraryThing member drmom62
This is one book I may have enjoyed reading rather than listening to as an audiobook. I think the reader detracted from the book itself. Interesting history

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

326 p.; 25 cm

ISBN

9781250011404

Other editions

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