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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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Tamera Alexander takes us to the Civil War battlefield with a vivid yet sensitive portrayal of war and its aftermath. With warmth and grace, she shows us hope and faith at work in the midst of suffering. The beautifully drawn characters and rich history in With This Pledge work seamlessly to demonstrate that Christ’s love and romantic love can triumph even in our darkest moments.
I’ve yet to read a Tamera Alexander book I haven’t absolutely LOVED!!
Rich in historical details, Alexander doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war. Not only that, she tackles the issue of slavery with honesty and lets the reader wrestle with some tough questions, the same way the flawed and true-to-life characters in the novel had to do.
A gripping story of sacrifice and the beauty that is birthed from ashes. Deeply moving!
Okay. Wow.
I know I say that about a lot of books. My reviews are literally all filled with caps-lock screaming and crying and saying ‘wow’ over and over again.
WELL, LET ME TELL YOU. THIS BOOK IS AMMMMMAAAAAZZZZIIIINNNGG.
I read a whole bunch of Tamera Alexander’s books last summer, and was super excited for this one to come out. I’ve read a lot of books before and after the Civil War, but I don’t remember reading a book this memorable that took place DURING the Civil War.
Let’s just say that I was in public, struggling not to sob as I read detailed descriptions of what America did to one and other during that time. It’s hard to grasp, and difficult to read, but I believe it’s something we all need to hear every now and then. Brothers, fathers, and sons fought against each other and together, and it was brutal. Tamera does an awesome job showing the true violence of the war, but also showing the one shining light through it all.
Jesus. And what a beautiful name it is. To hear and to say. It was said a million times during that way, and millions upon millions of times ever since during times of crisis. He is always there, even in the darkest of times, and with him, there is ALWAYS hope. Hallelujah!!!
Also, there’s romance. Oh, wow. And there’s friendships. (Am I the only one who appreciates friendships almost as much as I love love?) I love how Tamera writes her romances. It’s not some buffed-up drama that’s drowning in l-o-v-e. Hers are drowning in respect, and respect, and trust. Grounded in faith.
Another wonderful novel by Tamera Alexander, and best of all, it’s the first in a new series from Alexander. Haunting and memorable, romantic and hopeful.
For our 22nd Wedding Anniversary my husband surprised me with a copy of this book (off my to-read list) and a day trip to both Carnton & Fountain Carter’s home where this book takes place in Franklin, TN. This story was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. Tamera Alexander carefully pieces together actual letters, events and history infusing it with the trials faced by those who survived the brutal defeat at the Battle of Franklin. She successfully reaches into the pages of history and allows for healing in our divided country today. I highly recommend this, and other books written by Tamera Alexander. She has been blessed with a remarkable ability to write and to create tangible voices from bits of history.
Helplessness is one of the worst feelings a human can experience. To me, there is nothing more awful than seeing someone in great pain and genuinely being unable to help. Tamera Alexander does a really good job of portraying true helplessness in With This Pledge. There are so many horrible moments that take place in this book where Lizzie, the heroine, feels utterly powerless to do anything to make the situations better. On the night of November 30, 1864, Carnton House was commandeered by Confederate soldiers and turned into a makeshift hospital. Acting governess to the McGavock family, Lizzie finds herself pulled in to help the surgeon as he furiously tries to save the lives of many, many broken and severely injured soldiers. Uncertain what to do, but absolutely willing to help, Lizzie aids the surgeon in ways she never imagined. Between the agonizing cries of the wounded and the devastation left after many, many men die senseless deaths, Lizzie struggles with how useless she feels. Sometimes in life, moments barrel us down leaving us questioning whether we will ever be able to get back up again. The Battle of Franklin and its aftershocks is a prime example of life beating down humans.
There have been a handful of times in my life when I have experienced a sense of helplessness. But I admit that I truly did not understand that word in its fullest sense until two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, my dad was killed in a car accident. Someone swerved in front of him on the freeway, and changed my family’s lives forever. There was literally NOTHING anyone could have done after that man made his choice to drive selfishly rather than safely. You want to know what true helplessness looks like? It’s watching your precious mother say goodbye to her best friend before the crematorium workers take your father’s body away forever. It’s knowing that there is absolutely NOTHING I can do to help my mom. It’s knowing that my beautiful daughter, nieces, and nephews will never again get to play with their beloved grandpa this side of Heaven. It’s knowing that my brothers, sister, and I have to wait until it is our turn to go to Heaven before we can hug and kiss our dad again. One man made a decision and there is NOTHING I can do about that. This is true helplessness. I completely understand how Lizzie feels in With This Pledge, and with every fiber of my being I wish I didn’t.
There are several timely themes weaved throughout With This Pledge; all so important for today’s readers to consider. The theme that most resonates with me is that while life is uncertain and there are no guarantees, we who love and cherish God can rest assured that He orders our steps. Nothing surprises God. Nothing shocks Him. God puts every single one of us on a path, and He promises to be with us every step of the way — even in our most helpless of moments. With my heart currently battered, shattered, and bleeding, I really needed this reminder that God is always in control and He is always near. This takes the sting out of what seems like chaos to me.
Tamera Alexander is incapable of writing a bad story. She truly is one of today’s leading Christian Historical Fiction authors. With This Pledge may be Alexander’s best book to date. With a setting that pulls the reader in from page one, characters who are brilliantly and realistically crafted and who worm their way into the reader’s heart, and timely themes, With This Pledge is a definite must-read for 2019. I highly recommend this stunning novel!
I purchased a copy of this novel from Amazon on January 9, 2019 to read and review. I also received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via NetGalley through TLC Book Tours. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
With This Pledge #1 Carnton by Tamera Alexander
Franklin, Tennessee 1864… The Civil War comes marching right across the spacious yards of the Carnton home and the lives of everyone there are forever changed. The Carnton’s governess, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston, finds herself helping the wounded in a way she never envisioned. Does she have the stamina to do all that is required of her? What of the men injured in battle, will their lives ever go back to a “normal” way of life or will their injuries follow them home—if they make it home? Captain Roland Jones is one of many wounded soldiers that Lizzie cares for. He is concerned about his men, how the war will end and what that will mean for them all. Lizzie and Roland are drawn to each other but there are commitments and obstacles that may prevent them from developing a deeper relationship. What plans does God have for them?
The battle in Franklin, Tennessee really happened—called the bloodiest battle of the Civil War—and both of the main characters are based on real people and their experiences. With historical accuracy Tamera Alexander weaves a powerful story with such vivid detail the reader is transported back in time among the characters. As a retired RN I am especially interested in the medicinal and medical practices of that time. The detailed descriptions of the doctors performing surgery in such devastating conditions was so realistic it was as if I was there helping administer the chloroform. I cried along with Lizzie at different parts of the story and prayed along with her for all in her care. I appreciate the spiritual elements woven throughout the story-line and the impact following God in all areas of her life has, not only on Lizzie, but those around her.
Tamera Alexander includes historical notes giving the reader details about the actual occurrences portrayed in this story. With This Pledge is a powerful, emotion-filled story that will stay with me for some time.
~I received an ARC copy of this book from the author/publisher (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
Another great book by this author. This book drew you in from the beginning to the end. The story is about Lizzie Clouston. Lizzie is a governess when the war brings wounded soldiers Carton House becomes converted into a Confederate field hospital. She is asked to assist a military doctor with surgeries. When a young soldier dies in her arms she vows to relate his last words to his mother. She meets Captain Roland who has many injuries and he asked her to not let the doctor take his leg. She is drawn to him even though she is betrothed to another. This story is a beautiful and heart breaking story of war.It is a page turner . I could not put this book down and will be waiting for more.Thanks Net galley for allowing me to read and give my honest review.
Tamera Alexander shares a story that needs to be told. I was drawn in to this realistic Civil War fiction because her characters (who are based on actual people) showed strength and determination during dire circumstances. Alexander’s storyline reminded me that during the darkest days, good can be found, which made this captivating read worthwhile! I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are mine.
With This Pledge is the first full-length novel in Tamera Alexander’s Carnton series. I was immediately drawn into the story by the tragic imagery of the Battle of Franklin’s aftermath. Though the aftermath is extensive and Lizzie is right in the middle of it all, I found the story sobering, but not depressing. The perfectly paced love story between Roland and Lizzie was steady and never angsty. I recommend With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander to fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in the Civil War period. Five stars!
I just finished With This Pledge, and as I sit here thinking about this amazing story, I’m trying to figure out how to put the experience into words. I’ve been to Franklin several times, and toured Carnton Plantation twice, and visited several of the other sites mentioned in the book. Tamera Alexander has once again proven her impeccable research and talented storytelling ability. The Battle of Franklin brought all the horrors of the civil war to the very doorstep of Carnton Plantation. The story begins on the very day of the battle and takes place mostly in the aftermath of the Battle of Franklin in Tennessee. With This Pledge is part true gritty war story, part true love story, and filled with many tender moments. I especially enjoyed the courageous heroine, the wounded hero, the wounded soldiers, the Catholic sisters who came to help them care for the them, former slaves Tempy and George, and the family who owned Carnton, whose very lives changed when the battle was fought on their doorstep, and how they opened their home to care for the wounded. It was a pleasant surprise to see Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol make an appearance as a story read to the children and the recovering soldiers. This story is also a spiritual journey from devastation to hope, and status quo to change. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and Tamera Alexander is one of the best. I highly recommend With This Pledge.
The blood and death of one of the last battles of the Civil War invades the private residence, Carnton. The details bleed from the pages emphasizing the pointless loss of lives, so many! Through the healing love still survives and grows. I’m interested in the next installments.
Tamera Alexander’s excellent “With This Pledge” is the story of a young woman bound to her word and convictions but challenged by her heart and all she sees. Set in the south during the Civil War, Lizzie Clouston, the Carnton family’s governess, becomes one of the caregivers nursing wounded soldiers when the home is turned into a hospital near the Franklin, TN battlefields.
Long opposed to slavery, Lizzie’s principles are at odds with many of those she nurses, including one particular soldier she is especially drawn to.
Alexander does a tremendous job in developing realistic and relatable characters, showing their fears and struggles in time of uncertainty and war, all while keeping the setting in one place throughout the book—no small feat. I loved the strong spiritual convictions, and how Tamera wrote those into the lives of characters as naturally as breathing. I especially appreciate that she explores the issue of slavery from a southern viewpoint, all the while showing it for the evil it was/is.
Understanding conflicts over the issue of slavery in our country’s past helps readers see where we’ve come from and how far we have yet to go in creating a country where all men, women and children are treated equally. This book is a help in that journey.
I was captivated by this book from the beginning pages and couldn’t put it down. I have always been interested in anything taking place during the Civil War and the author did a fantastic job of weaving actual historical information with riveting characters that grip your heart.
I had the opportunity to visit the Gettysburg Battlefield, and this story of Carnton that was the backdrop for the story, transported me into the world that this war created. It showed the hardships, sacrifices, prejudices, and atrocities of the war. Their world became very real to me.
I admired Lizzie’s compassion for the injured men in her care and she showed tremendous courage as she assisted the doctor with surgeries that she had no training to do.
Lizzie’s relationship with Roland came about in trying times. It was a struggle to love in times of extreme hardship and trying to be true to who they were. The entire book was filled with some instances of great faith and other times with people questioning if God still cared.
The awesome book was a gift and a much appreciated one.
Everything I love about history comes alive in With This Pledge. Because history is more than dates in a textbook for us to recite. It’s a tangible time and place, echoes of it reverberating for us to learn from today.
Through the backdrop of a Civil War battle, we meet Lizzie and Roland, two people meant to be together, but kept apart by circumstances beyond their control. Knowing they were real people, living very real lives, instead of simply characters on a page to entertain us, makes them all the more compelling.
Walking the floors of Carnton, and experiencing their journey along with them, it’s easy to see how their lives were very much like ours. They wanted the same things we do today, someone to love and be loved by, a better life for those we cherish, a stronger, more unified nation, and most of all, closeness with our Creator.
By elaborating on the authentic letters from the persons involved in the Battle of Franklin, Tamera Alexander masterfully brings these desires into sharp focus and gives us an intricate tale full of hope. A hope that only comes from knowing you’re in God’s hand and His grasp will never let you go.
In the end, With This Pledge, is a poignant reminder to draw near to God in times of trouble and allow Him to draw near to you too.
5 things to look for in With This Pledge by @tameraalexanderauthor
1)Confederate sharpshooter severely injured at the Battle of Franklin, and a governess turned surgeon’s assistant
2)The time they spend together develops an attraction between them… except she’s already promised.
3)Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
4)A pledge to find a nameless boy’s last message to his mother
5) “When faith ceases to pray it ceases to live.” Roland knew his faith was living on borrowed time.
I really enjoyed this book. I learned alot about the battle of Franklin, as well as the South’s perspective. The atrocities of war and a painful lack of modern medicine made me very thankful for being alive today.
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With This Pledge is utterly enjoyable and an absorbing historical. Civil War set stories don’t always get things right, but Alexander gets a lot right in this one. No caricature-like characters are found here, but layered, flawed people. I adored the friendships and relationships between the characters, the bravery of our main character, Lizzie, and the realistic heart change of Roland. The romance is tender yet subdued, and perfectly suited to the tone and time period of the story.
Despite being over 400 pages, I never felt bogged down by the story – it’s compulsively readable. The descriptions of the battle and the wounded are heart-wrenching and realistic in a way that doesn’t come across as overly dramatic, but still portrays an appropriate gravity. I knew that Carnton is a real place, and at the end, the story becomes even better after reading the author’s note discussing which characters are based on real historical figures. I love that Alexander provides readers with an inside look at her research. Her historical details truly come to life and make for an extra special reading experience.
Fans of Alexander’s novels will find another winner here, and if you’re new to her books, you’re in for a great experience if you pick this one up.
I receive a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher; this review is my honest opinion.
This book transported me to a time in history that is soul shaking and tragic. I felt as though I was there and when the characters felt sorrow my cheeks were damp with tears. Great read with many inspirational messages.