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From the pages of history and the personal accounts of those who endured the Battle of Franklin…
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston’s quietly held principles oppose those of the Southern Cause–but when forty thousand soldiers converge on the fields of Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home, where she is governess, is converted into a Confederate … Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home, where she is governess, is converted into a Confederate hospital, and Lizzie is called upon to assist the military doctor with surgeries that determine life or death. Faced with the unimaginable, she must summon fortitude, even as she fears for the life of Towny, her fiancé and lifelong friend.
As a young soldier lies dying in Lizzie’s arms, she vows to relay his final words to his mother, but knows little more than the boy’s first name. That same night, decorated Mississippi sharpshooter Captain Roland Ward Jones extracts a different promise from Lizzie: that she intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate his leg.
Lizzie is nothing if not a woman of her word, earning the soldiers’ respect as she tends to the wounded within Carnton’s walls. None is more admiring than Captain Jones, who doesn’t realize she is pledged to another. But as Lizzie’s heart softens toward the Confederate captain, she discovers his moral ground is at odds with her own. Now torn between love, principles, and pledges made, she struggles to be true to her own heart while standing for what she knows is right–no matter the cost.
From the pages of history and the personal accounts of those who endured the Battle of Franklin, Tamera Alexander weaves the real-life love letters between Captain Roland Ward Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston into a story of unlikely romance first kindled amid the shadows of war.
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I have been reading Tamera Alexander’s books since day 1. We owned a Christian bookstore and sold her book. I picked up the first book in the Fountain Creek series because I was looking for an author similar to Francine Rivers. I was not disappointed. To this day her writing becomes more faith-filled and God-glorifying which each new novel. After reading “With This Pledge” I am left with a heart full of even more love for God and His sovereign control over what is happening in not only our lives but also, in the situations and circumstances of people throughout the world. Tamera takes the abominable institution of slavery and the bloody Civil War which finally ended that evil in America giving all sides (slave, slave-owner, non-slave owner, Northerner, Southerner, and families left behind) weaving a haunting story of faith, freedom, and choices. The true love story shows how differences can be shared and, with Christ’s help and love, peace can be earned. There is so much to be learned in these pages. I found myself pausing to reflect on the truths put forth in this book. I fell in love with the characters. I was inspired by their faith. I was saddened by the losses. I cannot wait to read the second in the series. Well done, Tamera!
I loved that this book portrayed the reality of blood, sweat, and tears–along with the precious redemptive message. And a romance coupled with the seeds of truth–to blossom…
What an amazing book. With that being said, the realities of history are sometimes difficult to read.
With This Pledge is book #1 of the Carnton series. There is a novella prequel, Christmas at Carnton, but it’s not necessary to read it before reading With This Pledge
Tamera Alexander did a wonderful job with this book, and I was immediately drawn in to the story of Captain Roland Ward Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston. The story includes real-life love letters, which made it that much more beautiful. She stayed true to history in With This Pledge, which I appreciated.
Elizabeth Clouston opposes the Southern Cause but is called upon to assist doctors in the care of Southern soldiers in the Battle of Franklin. Lizzie gives a soldier she will be his voice to the doctor once he’s under anesthesia, and this promise ultimately changes her life.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for an honest review.
Note: Books two and three of the Carnton series will be published by a different publisher.
A good historical book on a battle that most people know nothing about. My great grandfather was wounded in this battle so it was very interesting to me
In this work by Tamara Alexander, she describes the aftermath of a horrific battle which took place near Nashville, TN. The heroine goes from being a governess to being a surgeon’s assistant in the space of a few minutes and has to learn how to contain her emotions. In her thoughts and conversations you come to understand her respect for the slaves she works with, the uncertainty she has about the justness of the war, and about the huge death toll the war takes on the South. An excellent book for book clubs to discuss ethical questions.
Love all her books. This one did not disappoint.
I read this book after touring Carnton in Franklin, TN. I so wanted to know and feel more after the tour and the employee in the gift shop recommended this book as historical fiction. I enjoyed the history in the book as well as the characters, some historical and others imagined. The author builds deep characters and tells a story rich in history. This is a great book for readers looking to learn more about the tragic battle at Franklin and the people who lived through it. Highly recommend!
I enjoyed this book.
It was an informative Civil War story. I learned a lot about the war and also about the feelings of the characters regarding slavery. I totally recommend it.
So many twists and turns I didn’t expect, but also realistic of the brutality of the civil war.
This is a wonderfully written fiction story full of real history about this battle and this couple!
Based on actual people during the Civil War, this book was excellent. I felt like I was there.
Another great book by this author. When I see her name I know the book will not disappoint me. Her descriptions of the time period her books are set in make you feel as if you are there. Highly recommended
It was good.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the subtle conflict between Roland’s pro-slavery views and Lizzie’s abolitionist leanings. There isn’t an all-out “I hate you because you’re wrong” tension between them. In fact, I felt like they had respect for one another despite their differing views.
Another thing I liked was the focus on the emotional toil of war and the repercussions while also respecting those who fought for what they believed in. War is often glorified, and I enjoy when an author shows the good and bad.
(Check out my full review at https://justjenniferpurcell.com/2019/06/28/just-read-with-this-pledge-by-tamera-alexander/)
I love to read her novels. They are informative and interesting historical accounts. The characters are realistic and relatable.
Excellent historical novel, set in Nashville, mid1800s. Well-researched, interesting characters, “history alive”!
WITH THIS PLEDGE is another well written and researched historical novel by Tamera Alexander. I have come to expect high quality wonderful stories from her. The book begins with the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864 that turns Carnton, the plantation home of Col. John and Carrie McGavock into a field hospital for the Loring’s Division of the Army of Tennessee. All members of the household, including governess Lizzie Clouston and the cook, Tempy, are pressed into service. Even the young children, Hattie and Winder, help by giving water to the wounded men. Lizzie’s father is a druggist so she had some experience with doctoring. She is called on to assist Dr. Phillips by administering ether as he performs amputations and other surgeries. Lizzie has compassion for all the soldiers but feels strangely drawn to one, Capt. Roland Jones. As their friendship grows during his recovery, her feelings grow more disturbing to her since she is betrothed to her childhood friend, Lt. Blake “Towny” Townsend. Parts of this book were read through tears as there are things that are difficult to read about. The author handles these in a very sensitive way as she does the issue of slavery and the mental struggles Roland goes through trying to change his thinking from all he has known. Faith is integral though some characters struggle. This is another novel by Tamera Alexander that has made me want to find out more about the real people in the novel. I highly recommend WITH THIS PLEDGE.
Another wonderful story from Tamera Alexander! Makes me want to visit these places mentioned in her novels! Well done!
This book combines history of the Civil War with the actual people who lived through it. Tamera Alexander obviously did a fabulous job of researching everything within these wonderful pages. I felt that I was in the house with the characters and had tears in my eyes as the author gave an honest (but not gory) portrayal of what the doctor, the soldiers, and all of those who lived in the South had to realize during the final days of the Civil War. I will definitely read more books penned by this author!