The Irish Wilderness:

IRISH HISTORICAL NOVEL. This superbly written historical novel discribes the life of two Catholic families living in Ireland during the Great Famine and their heart rendering unjust exile. It then continues with their hazardous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World in a coffin ship. This journey of tragedy and mercy deprives them of their two older children who chose a life in New York City to a life in the rural Ozarks. The long trip takes them down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, followed by a grueling overland trek into Missouri where the group eventually settled. During the 1850s they prospered and were ever thankful for the good life they found with abundant wildlife, rivers of fish and farmland for clearing. This novel relives their years of toil, love, and happiness as hundreds of Irish families sponsored by their priest Father Hogan join them. The book further details the historical past during the American Civil War and with breathtaking accuracy shows how th Irish were caught up once again in circumstances beyond their control. Throughout this time the Irish Wilderness became a "no man's land" and the Irish endure even greter hardship. Their beloved children were caught up in the opposing armies and became scattered all over America. At the end of the Civil War there were only a few Irish left in the setlement including a small part of the subject families. This area is still to this day named the Irish Wilderness. One of the pleasures of this spellbinding book is that it takes you accurately back to a way of life long forgotten that has helped make the American people what we are today. After reading this book the readers will appreciate and understand what their Irish ancestors had to endure during the Great Hunger and American Civil War.