Description
A hard-hitting no holds barred novel of the war that created the United States, and the two days in December 1862 when it almost came undone and the Confederacy had its last great opportunity to win the Civil War.
Book is also available through Amazon and BN or ask for it wherever books are sold. The ebook version of this book can be ordered through Amazon.
Praise for The Wastage
“For me, I want a book to grab me early on and never let me go. The Wastage does just that. The author adds to the historical story of the Civil War endless personal specific insights and experiences from all the key players and does so in a very believable way. Students of the Civil War will see in this book dimensions that will give depth and a broader understanding of the successes and numerous failures and mistakes of the key leaders from the top all the way down.” —John Carlin, former Archivist of the United States and Governor of Kansas
“The Wastage is destined to be a classic. It is as if we are meeting anew the familiar characters of the great Civil War, as if the events are unfolding for the first time. The author brings them to life with originality and energy. Superb dialogue…Smith has written a compelling novel.” —Debbie Goodrich Bisel, author of The Civil War in Kansas: Ten years of Turmoil
“The Wastage is aptly named, for the author doesn’t sugarcoat the misery and the awful bloody, gut-wrenching inhuman waste of lives in war. This is not a novel for the light reader…an excellent book for the Civil War buff and other more serious readers interested in this terrible time in our American history.” —Eunice Boeve, author of Along Shadowed Trails and the sequel Along Winding Trails
About the Author
Dean Halliday Smith is a fifth generation Kansan, an attorney, a grandfather several times over, a Vietnam veteran, and a civil war historian. Territorial Kansas history, the Civil War, and the post-Civil War west are his passions and the subjects of his writing.
Smith is available for interviews, speaking engagements, and book signings.
Richard A Maloney –
Very Good Book. Highly Recommended.
J. Ackerman –
Great book! This is a great book for anyone who loves history. The author captures the reader’s attention from the very first pages. Avery well written book!
Robert L. Feldt –
This book is a very enjoyable read. It is full of drama and suspense. The historical characters come to life and give the reader an understanding of the fateful events that lead up to the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg. The sweep and drama of the battle scene calls to mind War and Peace.
E.B. –
An Interesting, Informative Novel. The novel begins a year and a half into the war and ends in 1863 with President Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. The author has to have done an astounding amount of research to bring those now long-dead players to life, so they actually seem once again to live and breathe. His depiction of President Lincoln, in my opinion, was excellent. Also it was no easy task to create a believable dialogue of ideas and opinions voiced by the President, his cabinet members, the generals, and other parties involved. This is more of a novel for the serious reader of the history of the Civil War than those who enjoy lighter fare.
Eunice Boeve, author of Along Shadowed Trails and the sequel Along Winding Trails –
Editorial Review – The Wastage is aptly named, for the author doesn’t sugarcoat the misery and the awful bloody, gut-wrenching inhuman waste of lives in war. This is not a novel for the light reader…an excellent book for the Civil War buff and other more serious readers interested in this terrible time in our American history.
Debbie Goodrich Bisel, author of The Civil War in Kansas: Ten years of Turmoil –
Editorial Review – The Wastage is destined to be a classic. It is as if we are meeting anew the familiar characters of the great Civil War, as if the events are unfolding for the first time. The author brings them to life with originality and energy. Superb dialogue…Smith has written a compelling novel.
John Carlin, former Archivist of the United States and Governor of Kansas –
Editorial Review – For me, I want a book to grab me early on and never let me go. The Wastage does just that. The author adds to the historical story of the Civil War endless personal specific insights and experiences from all the key players and does so in a very believable way. Students of the Civil War will see in this book dimensions that will give depth and a broader understanding of the successes and numerous failures and mistakes of the key leaders from the top all the way down.