What happens when a writer combines historical fact with historical fiction - and makes a very good job of it? The answer: an absorbing and interesting, beautifully written read... This is an American story of what we Brits tend to think of as a British War... things also not usually covered (especially in 'British' versions of the war and its consequences) were so very well incorporated by the author, matters such as racism, sexuality and social prejudices. The cast too, is enthralling and entertaining: not just soldiers slogging their way through the mud and keeping their heads down... We meet musicians, farmers, gangsters, all ordinary people caught up in the extraordinary circumstances of war.
In the second book of his World War I trilogy, Jeffrey K. Walker, in vivid, moving prose, captures the experiences of two officers--one white, the other black--serving in the legendary African-American regiment, "Harlem's Hell Fighters." The story of their lives and the men and women deeply entwined in those lives and what happens to them after the war is one of the best novels in recent years about the most cataclysmic event of the 20th Century.
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
'This is so well-written. A character-driven gem of a book. Loved it.' Male reader, aged 55
'This author knows how to show history to the reader without overwhelming them with facts. He manages to do what many historical authors cannot: offer the reader a powerful historical setting and also plenty of pace.' Female reader, aged 67'
I was reminded a little of [Sebastian Faulks] Birdsong whilst reading this. There's war, yes, but it's the language and the characters which make it so enjoyable.' Male reader, aged 37
'There are many elements to this story, from racism to trench warfare. The language (and the editing) is faultless. Highly recommended.' Female reader, aged 69
To Sum It Up: 'A complex, character-driven novel. A FINALIST and highly recommended.'
(16 Anonymous Reader-Evaluators)
Author Jeffrey K. Walker's historical novel, Truly Are the Free, was awarded an Honorable Mention in the prestigious 2018 Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards for the Mainstream/Literary Fiction category. Walker's novel was one of more than 2,300 entrants. Writer's Digest awarded just 37 Honorable Mentions across all eight categories.
Pleased to join other Tidewater writers and poets for a Teachers' Reading at The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, VA, where I read a chapter from Truly Are the Free. Sandwiched between two accomplished Virginia poets, I was reminded how jealous and in awe I am of that wonderful power of poets to give us pefect crystalline distillations of emotion. Which is why I write fiction...
I'll be sigining books and meeting readers at teh College of William & Mary Bookstore, Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg on Sunday, 10 June, 12-4 PM. Hope to see you there.
My novel Truly Are the Free was named a Finalist in the Independent Author Network's 2018 Book of the Year Awards, joinng its sibling None of Us the Same, a 2017 IAN Book of the Year Award Finalist.
My novel Truly Are the Free was selected as an indieBRAG Memorial Day read. Check it out as your first beach read of the summer!
The long list for the Chanticleer Book Reviews' Goethe Award for late historical fiction was announced today and includes author Jeffrey K. Walker's riveting story of conflict and loss in the face of racism and radical social change during the First World War and the 1920s, Truly Are the Free. The short list of semi-finalists will be announced in October.
Truly Are the Free, the second volume in author Jeffrey K. Walker's First World War and 1920s trilogy, has been awarded a prestigiuous indieBRAG Medallion. The BRAG Medallion is a seal of approval attesting that an independently published book is well written, thoroughly edited, professionally formatted, and well worth a reader's time and money.
Truly Are the Free, the second volume in author Jeffrey K. Walker's First World War and 1920s trilogy, was selected for a BookBub International Featured Deal in Canada, the UK, Australia, and India. The deal will run 30 November 2019.
The U.K.-based Discovering Diamonds historical fiction blog and review site has named the second volume in author Jeffrey K. Walker's World War I trilogy, Truly Are the Free, a Discovered Diamond. The novel was also shortlisted for Book of the Month.
