Becca's Story by James D. Forman

Authentic letters and diaries give haunting realism to this extraordinary Civil War story of two ordinary soldiers and the girl they both love.

Living in Michigan, far from the issues tearing the country apart, none of them wants the war. Responsible Alex feels duty-bound to serve his country when called, yet he hates the thought of killing anything, even an animal. Free-spirited Charlie doesn’t care about fighting the South—he wants to go West, not to join the army. Becca believes it would be dishonorable for them not to fight, but she loves them both dearly and can scarcely bear to choose one over the other. And none of them has any idea what a long and bloody war is before them.

Both boys will join the army, endure the daily hardships and the terrors of battle, and become experienced soldiers with a growing enthusiasm for the cause that brings them back to enlist a second time. But only one of them will come home.

This is neither a romantic adventure novel nor a cynical protest against war, but a moving story about common soldiers, unsung heroes, true friendship, and the uncertainties of life.