150 Years Ago – 19th SC Leaves Charleston

Posted on April 10, 2012 by

Boys of Diamond Hill

Boys of Diamond Hill

To read the entries thus far for the Sesquicentennial series for The Boys of Diamond Hill click here.

150 years ago, April 10, 1862, Thomas Boyd departed with the 19th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry from Charleston, SC for their first assignment of the war after their training. Following the Battle of Shiloh, General P. G. T. Beauregard requested reinforcements from the Confederate government. The 19th S.C. was one of the units placed on trains to be sent to the fields of war. Most South Carolina regiments were placed in the Army of Northern Virginia, but at the point the 19th became ready for action, they were needed in the western theater, so Thomas would find himself in the Army of Tennessee hundreds of miles separated from his brothers — Daniel and Pressley — in the 7th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry. Thomas would detail his travels several days later in a letter written to his father on April 16, 1862. More about this on the 16th. Stay tuned…

To learn more click on the “Diamond Hill” link at the top. To buy the book you may go to any major online retailer such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or you may buy it directly from McFarland Publishers. “The Boys of Diamond Hill” is also available for the Kindle.

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Edgar Rice Burroughs – Gods of Mars

Posted on April 8, 2012 by

I just finished reading the second book in the John Carter of Mars series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was first published as a serial in All-Story magazine in 1913 and later put into book form in 1918. Gods of Mars, follows A Princess of Mars on which the recent movie John Carter (of Mars) was based.

This book ends with one of the most exasperating cliff hangers known to literature. It begins with John Carter returning unexpectedly to Barsoom (Mars) as he did in the movie, although in a different manner. In many ways the movie does a better job of creating an explanation for the cause of John Carter’s leaps between worlds, but I confess to preferring the reason for his return to Earth in the books to that in the movie. Nonetheless, both work very well within their own frameworks.

Amazing how in those days writers like Burroughs could publish such stores in magazines without the the benefit of a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree or teaching credentials. Thankfully telling good stories was the only requirement at that time. That is what allowed a pencil sharpener wholesaler from Chicago to become one of the most regarded writers of his time and ours.

The speech patterns of the day are quite interesting. One thing I note as I read these books is the way that the characters speak in uninterrupted monologues several paragraphs long. I am not sure if that was just the way Burroughs wrote or if the politeness and respect of the time allowed people to finish their thoughts without being talked over and interrupted every time they paused as is the case today. It is an interesting contrast. Is that the way it was or simply the way Burroughs wanted it to be?

Either way, I am having fun discovering the hundred year old series for the first time. As I said in an earlier post, I was a huge fan of the Tarzan series as a child and am a big fan of Burroughs. The cliffhanger, as noted, is huge and forced me to jump right into the next novel, which proved to leave the reader quite a ways before it will be resolved. I look forward to finding out the resolution when it comes.

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MWSA Spring 2012 Recommended Reading List

Posted on April 3, 2012 by

The Boys of Diamond Hill has been named to the 2012 Spring Recommended reading list by the Military Writers Society of America.

Please check it out and add the many great books there to your reading list. I want to thank MWSA for according me the honor of being in such fine company on this list. I hope that the Boyd brothers would be happy knowing that they have not been forgotten and that their adventures and sacrifice is being discovered by a brand new generation.

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America’s History is His Story by R. G. Yoho

Posted on April 1, 2012 by

America’s History is His Story
By R.G. Yoho
White Feather Press

Reviewed by Keith Jones

The stories contained in this book are the result of a request the author had from a minister who had been a friend since college. This friend wanted to establish a daily radio show of two minute spots on the close connection to the history of our country with Christianity. Knowing Yoho’s skills as a writer and researcher, he asked him to come up with one for each day for two years. Yoho initially refused, but compromised by offering to write enough for one year. Mr. Yoho expected this to be the extent of the project, but upon telling White Feather Press of this he was encouraged to assemble them into a book.

In wonderful bite sized portions, Yoho works his way through the words and actions of some of the shining lights in American history. The complicated subject of the separation of church and state has been twisted and tortured into a shell of its original intent. This book illustrates how deep the ties are in this country with our Christian heritage. While there is clearly a moratorium placed on having a state sponsored religion in the U.S. Constitution, Yoho shows us that our founders along with those who came in their wake to help shape our country were illustratively not hostile to religion or Christianity like some of today’s scholars might have us believe. In fact, their ties and devotion to their Christian faith is unmistakeable.

“America’s History is His Story” will give you a year’s worth of learning on the Christian history of America. It serves as a wonderful daily devotional as well as good history, like a daily vitamin of American Christian heritage.

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Diamond Hill 150 Years Ago – Thomas Boyd

Posted on March 26, 2012 by

Boys of Diamond Hill

Boys of Diamond Hill

To read the entries thus far for the Sesquicentennial series for The Boys of Diamond Hill click here.

On March 26, 1862 Thomas Boyd wrote his father and siblings back home from Camp Watson near Charleston, South Carolina. The 19th South Carolina Volunteers are still training there and as yet has not been assigned for service outside their native state. He speaks of various individuals, including his eldest brother William, who have recently enlisted for Confederate service. He talks of the routine there including drilling six times a day for about five hours total. There has been no action out of the Yankee army that he has to speak of. All is quiet except for several individuals who are ill at the time. Also fifteen members of the 19th were away at the time cutting timber for building boats.

To learn more click on the “Diamond Hill” link at the top. To buy the book you may go to any major online retailer such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or you may buy it directly from McFarland Publishers. “The Boys of Diamond Hill” is also available for the Kindle.

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150 Years Ago, Diamond Hill – William Boyd Enlists

Posted on March 19, 2012 by

Boys of Diamond Hill

Boys of Diamond Hill

To read the entries thus far for the Sesquicentennial series for The Boys of Diamond Hill click here.

The eldest Boyd brother, William, enlisted on this day 150 years ago — March 19, 1862 — making this the sesquicentennial of his entry into the Confederate service. Thomas Boyd in a letter would express the hope of brother William being in his unit — Company G, 19th South Carolina Volunteers — but, William would wind up in the First South Carolina Rifles, also known as Orr’s Rifles after their organizer James Orr, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

To learn more click on the “Diamond Hill” link at the top. To buy the book you may go to any major online retailer such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or you may buy it directly from McFarland Publishers. “The Boys of Diamond Hill” is also available for the Kindle.

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John Carter of Mars

Posted on March 15, 2012 by

I went to see the best movie that nobody else watched this past weekend. John Carter (the “of Mars” part was unadvisedly dropped from the title) is a 250 million dollar movie that grossed only 30 million on its opening weekend. That is a real shame because it is a good movie. Nonetheless it is being endlessly debated this week as to what went wrong. Like this article in the L.A. Times.

For this one I did something I usually resist… I decided to do the 3D thing. Quite entertaining in this manner. John Carter is a visually pleasing movie with a fast moving story. The director — Andrew Stanton — naturally took liberties with the original story, but I have to agree with his words from an interview I watched where he said that he tried to stay true to the main characters. The movie is primarily an adaptation of the first book in the John Carter series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, “A Princess of Mars.” The most interesting thing Stanton did was to borrow part of the story line from the second book, “Gods of Mars.” He also expands the role of the Therns who do not make their appearance in the books until the second book, but the changes he made helps explain how Carter’s magical trip to Mars/Barsoom came about.

The less informed have groused about elements in this movie that bear similarities to other movies such as Star Wars. What they are not aware of is the fact that Edgar Rice Burroughs thought of these things first, many decades before the others who borrowed them from him.

On the whole, I found John Carter to be a fun movie that deserves to be seen. Ignore the stuffy Hollywood critics and check it out. I predict that in the years to come it will become a cult classic that many people will endlessly bellyache about there being no sequels to. Well, if that happens it will be a result of the low box office numbers. There is an excellent 10 minute teaser clip you should check out for free. This one is from the beginning and shows more of the Earth side of the equation. For a good clip of Carter fighting the white apes on Barsoom, check out this clip.

Do yourself a favor and go see John Carter this weekend.

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Ghosts of the Triad

Posted on March 6, 2012 by

Ghosts of the Triad: Tales From The Haunted Heart of the Piedmont
By Michael Renegar & Amy Spease
History Press

Reviewed by J. Keith Jones

“Ghosts of the Triad” is a very well done installment in the Haunted America series from the History Press. Ghost hunters Michael Renegar and Amy Spease include the deep research that make ghost stories leap up from the page and take you by the hand. Then they ladle on the paranormal legends that have grown up around the history of these places and people. The tasty icing atop the cake sits there courtesy of the first hand experiences they add due to their positions as ghost hunters.

People from the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina – Winston Salem, Greensboro & High Point – will find the history and locations surrounding these believed hauntings very entertaining. The tobacco, textile and furniture aristocracies of this region occupy the catbird’s seat in the formation of this region that likely surpasses that of General Nathaniel Greene and his Patriot army at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. These people had unbelievable wealth and power. Naturally wealth and power – especially the inherited kind – almost always brings a web of intrigue and myriad problems. These stories will keep you up reading… and maybe lying awake.

“Ghosts of the Triad” is one of the better done ghost story books I have read in a long time. I highly recommend it to anyone who has even a passing interest in North Carolina history and the paranormal.

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Enemies Foreign and Domestic Free eBook 4 Days

Posted on March 2, 2012 by

For the next couple of days, you have a great opportunity to pick up a free digital copy of Matthew Bracken’s first book, “Enemies Foreign and Domestic.” Bracken in an effort to expand his reader base and send a message to the mainstream publishing and entertainment establishment that this genre is not only viable, but popular is offering this first book in his “Enemies” trilogy free for a few days. To read more about this, follow the tag #EFAD on Twitter. Or read about it on his website. Be sure to read my review here. Trust me, if you enjoyed “In Due Time,” you will also like “Enemies Foreign and Domestic.”

Of special note, even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can (and should) still take advantage of this opportunity by downloading it to your computer. Kindle simulators may be downloaded for free as well. So, even if you will wait a bit before reading this one, get it free NOW. Let’s send a message and send this one to the top of the charts.

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New Amazon Review of “In Due Time”

Posted on March 1, 2012 by

A new Amazon review of “In Due Time” has been posted. This one is such high praise comparing me with Orson Scott Card that I had to share it with you. Thanks to the reviewer J. Kimbrough (Bavaria, Germany) for this, I am humbled:

“A well written Orwellian near future which I almost believed to be true (Just joking) with a time travel twist to the plot. This New World Order and neo-revolution genre has picked up in popularity the last few years with writers such as Orson Scott Card and others. However, J. Keith Jones is on par with these other famous writers with his first story.

He treats this story line with a fresh approach. A “Guiding hand” through time travel to influence the future by creating the “correct” alternative history and shape the future back to a new American Republic. Read the book, I do not want to spoil the plot.

When an author makes me fantasize and reflect further about the subject, he has done his job and this book is great. Well worth the price and time to read it. It was a page turner and I recommend it to readers who enjoy the alternative future & time travel story lines. “

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