The Black Flower is historical fiction. The focus of the book is in the Southern Confederate State of Tennessee in November of 1864, during the American Civil War.
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As the Union army continues its drive towards the deep South, the Confederates are determined to stop them in a small town called Franklin. The Confederate Commander in charge of the Army of Tennessee is the incompetent John Bell Hood, along with his superior cavalry general Nathan Bedford Forest. The battle would near decimate the remnant Confederate forces in the deep South for remainder of the war.
The main characters of the book are three Confederate soldiers, Bushrod, Virgil and Jack who have been friends for most of their lives. The book vaguely tells about their military adventures before the battle, but it is understandable that all three have been fighting since 1861 when the war broke out. It will be on a cold November day that all three will meet with the Black Flower.
The book covers a span of about a week. We began a few days before the Battle at Franklin and author rolls right into the battle itself. The details of war and its horrors are very magnified in this spectacular work. One of the three soldiers Bushrod gets shot and is taken to a makeshift field hospital. While getting treatment he gets acquainted with his nurse Anna, whom he becomes infatuated with. The other two friends also experience the torments of war while fighting on the battlefield.
The aftermath of the battle is bleak for the Confederacy. The author holds nothing back and shows the true horrors of this conflict, both militarily and civilian alike.
Best part of story, including ending:
Howard Bahr holds nothing back in this novel, if your looking for a love or romance novel this is not it. This book is about the true face of war.
Best scene in story:
When Bushrod was in the hospital and how it showed the Southern ladies. How they also have grown cold and bitter from the war.
Opinion about the main character:
I like how the writer showed that the three freinds are just normal everyday people. Just wanting to survive the war and return to their homes.
