5.0 out of 5 stars Scott's novel takes us through Civil War in Charleston

Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2020

George Scott may not be a student of the Civil War, but he has done his homework in his novel "I,Jonathan: A Charleston Tale of the Rebellion."

The primary narrator is Jonathan Vander, a young Bostonian whose well-to-do life to date has not prepared him to be stranded penniless in a Southern seaport that is on the brink of war.

Through his eyes we are allowed to observe life in Charleston, South Carolina, from the first ebullient moments of the Civil War, through the growing pain and privation as the city is blockaded, to its final moments as a hollowed out shell emptied of everyone who has somewhere to flee to.

In the lead-up to the war Charleston was both the most important seaport on the Atlantic -- the headquarters of much of the commerce that flowed between Southern plantations and European markets -- and the instigator of the hostilities that led to the four-year conflict.

Jonathan finds himself in a menial position, sleeping in a warehouse and barely more respected than than the black slaves he oversees.

Scott has done his homework about the battles that mark the defense of the city -- for example, the bombardment of Fort Sumpter or the Union attempts to take the tower battery at Secessionville -- but he also captures the more gentile life of the city that is unaware of the hell the war will soon bring.

He also reports some of the lesser known aspects of the war -- for instance, the retreat of plantation households to the safer, cooler mountains of western North Carolina. He even takes us along for the ride when Jonathan take passage on a blockade runner bound for the Bahamas, then returns with the valuable goods that Charlestonians want and need.

He doesn't neglect the technical dimensions of warfare -- the development of ironclads and the ill-fated submersible, the Hunley. Nor does he shy away from the central societal conflict -- the need to wage war to protect an economy which required that hundreds of thousands of workers and families be held in slavery.

Scott's creation of young Jonathan allows him to bring to life a time and a place that was vital in our nation's history. And that -- flavored with a drop of romance, a dash of voodoo, and a small measure of mysticism -- makes for an absorbing read.

Charleston's Civil War Story

Alan Cheatham's review 

Oct 03, 2020

it was amazing

What a wonderful story. As a lover of the “Holy City” of Charleston and frequent visitor I felt like I knew quite a bit of its history. I know this is a fictional tale but I learned so much about the city during the War.

The story is presented in a unique way that captures readers. The only part I disliked was the fact it ended! Went out this morning to read and it hit me - I finished reading I Jonathan yesterday. Felt like I’m missing some of my friends.

This is a magnificent civil war saga as told by a non-combatant. I was immediately immersed in the conflict between the North and the South during the American Civil War and was swept away into another time via the protagonist, Mr. I. Jonathan Vander. When Jonathan tries to return to Boston from France, the return voyage is interrupted by a rogue wave and Jonathan winds up in Charleston due to needed ship repairs. He misses the boat back to Boston and now being low on funds he is forced to stay in Charleston.

The relationship between the rich and poor in Charleston is apparent throughout the conflict. The plight of the African American slaves was a bit different than expected as well. They too had a caste system which separated them into very distinct groups. Those that were freed were able to own businesses and controlled other groups of slaves. Jonathan being destitute was hired by one of these freed slaves. This entrepreneur dealt in all kinds of commodities.

I was particularly intrigued by the blockade running enterprise of some of the traders. Jon is constantly harassed by the Confederate military because he was young and of the age of conscription but he was carrying papers which detailed his reasons for not being in the military.

His relationship with a young woman that he saved from a fire is particularly moving. The development of instruments of war is also well described. The ballistics of the weapons and the distances they could shoot with accuracy amazed me.

Give yourself a block of time to allow yourself to be taken back to this era. It’s frighteningly eye-opening. The relationships of the inhabitants and their struggles are a rewarding infusion of knowledge. The tale is an immersion into another time and place. 5 stars CE Williams