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This is an excellent book for anyone that is interested in or enjoys reading about the Civil War. It is a very easy read about the firsthand accounts of Tom Armstrong and his Civil War experiences. It was a book I picked up and could not put down. It is very well written and kept me wanting more! I highly recommend it!
Matthew Harper
Zanesville, Ohio
October 21, 2019
Seeing the Elephant: One Man’s Return to the Horrors of the Civil War is a work of historical fiction focused on American history and was penned by author T. W. Harvey. Based on very real attitudes, events and emotions from authentic letters penned during the time period itself, the author has developed the tale of Lieutenant Thomas S. Armstrong into a compelling personal narrative of how it truly felt to be there in wartime. Featuring many different manoeuvres, conflicts and everyday situations from the perspective of a Union Army Soldier, this down to earth and realistic novel takes on the war from the average man’s perspective.
The deeper you read into this epic, vastly detailed work, the more involved you become with the work of author T. W. Harvey and the discovery of his great-grandfather’s collection of letters. That personal yet distant relationship between the two men lends emotional credence to the work itself, which is well-paced between descriptions of the real events taking place and moments of emotional downtime for Lieutenant Tom as he processes the true horrors and deep scars of what he has witnessed. The novel is detailed enough for Civil War non-fiction fans to delve into its soldier’s-eye perspective deeply, yet filled with action, suspense and an emotional character arc for Tom and his compatriots which stand up to any modern warfare fiction of today. Overall, Seeing the Elephant: One Man’s Return to the Horrors of the Civil War will please many a wartime reading fan and is highly recommended.
Reviewed By:
K.C. Finn
Greetings Tom,
We met in April in Zanesville at your book signing. I Just finished the book and wanted to drop you a line.
In a word, Excellent! Being recently (14 years) transplanted here in Z’ville, but interested in Ohio and US history your story and the locations represented through it really brought alive the mid 1800’s for me!
Thank you for a gut wrenching, engaging but enjoyable story of the reality of the civil war.
Best to you and Paula, and if you are ever passing through again, let us know, Debbie and I would love to get together for dinner.
Regards,
Paul (Debbie) Klouda
Fmr East Side Clevelanders
Just finished reading a fascinating book written by the husband of a long-time good friend, Paula Harvey, Tom Harvey. And I remember when his parents, friends of John from Ohio Wesleyan University, moved from their house in Cleveland Hgts. And talk of finding the letters from Tom’s great Grandfather about the Civil War. So much interesting history. Thanks Tom, great job!
Barbara Bub Peckinpaugh
Matlacha Isles, FL
April 5, 2019
I thought that the book was good and enjoyed reading it. The book is based on actual letters written by the author’s great grandfather, Tom Armstrong, about his experiences during his time just before, during and just after serving as a Lieutenant in the Union Army. The high level of detail only adds to the book’s credibility. Many books have been written about the Civil War generals, but little has been written about the everyday soldier. This book tells the story of one of the 2.5 million ordinary men who left their homes to fight for their country in the war that changed America.
Steve Harvey
Peoria, AZ
February 27, 2019
Tom…
Your book came, and we were overjoyed. Everything looks, feels, and reads very well. It is a great publication. He did ‘see the elephant.’ That phrase was so graphic and true to the facts. Tom Armstrong experienced nearly every phase of the war, as a civilian and a soldier. His prisoner days covered every possible development.
Tom, we are so glad the letters survived…now your good, full, and great work.
What a full life, and you have dug around and set it in the historic reality that existed. Very proud of you. (Thanks for letting us work a bit with you.)
All best regards…
Betty and Dick
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Smith
Dr. Smith: Professor Emeritus of History
Ohio Wesleyan University
March 14, 2019
Tom,
When I stopped by the museum today the director had your package set out for me. Thank you for the book and thank you very much for the acknowledgment. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to help you on the historical details and I learned about the war on the level of the common soldier as I followed Tom through his ordeal.
While reading the book one chapter at a time I lost track of how much material you had written and was picturing the book as a small thing but you have produced an impressive piece of literature. I knew you had put a lot if time and effort into the book but when I see the completed work I am impressed all the more.
Tom would be proud of the way you used his letters to produce a fine work of historical fiction that blends the horrors of war and imprisonment with the love for the family back home that still sustains soldiers today.
Mitch Taylor
Curator, Muskingum County, Ohio History
December 12, 2018
Dear Tom,I have just finished reading “Seeing the Elephant”, which Marcie and Doug had given me for Christmas. What a fantastic story!
I started reading it about a week ago. I am not much of a reader – dyslexia makes it difficult for me. So, I don’t read a lot. But this book kept me hooked from early on, and I had trouble putting it down. Knowing you and that this is the story of your great-grandfather made it all the better. I was in tears from about page 440 on, realizing the joy of Tom’s family and he must have felt with his homecoming and then end of the war.
I am sure that one day, when Ella, Calvin, and Violet are old enough to read the story of their great-great-great grandfather, they will gain an appreciation of their roots and the sacrifice Tom Armstrong and others from Ohio made to preserve the Union.
I am looking forward to talking with you about the book when I see you next. Thank you for sharing TSA’s story!
Regards,
Don Simpson
San Angelo, TX
PS: Are you named after TS?
February 9, 2019
Dear Tom,
I have just finished reading “Seeing the Elephant”, which Marcie and Doug had given me for Christmas. What a fantastic story!
I started reading it about a week ago. I am not much of a reader – dyslexia makes it difficult for me. So, I don’t read a lot. But this book kept me hooked from early on, and I had trouble putting it down. Knowing you and that this is the story of your great-grandfather made it all the better. I was in tears from about page 440 on, realizing the joy of Tom’s family and he must have felt with his homecoming and then end of the war.
I am sure that one day, when Ella, Calvin, and Violet are old enough to read the story of their great-great-great grandfather, they will gain an appreciation of their roots and the sacrifice Tom Armstrong and others from Ohio made to preserve the Union.
I am looking forward to talking with you about the book when I see you next. Thank you for sharing TSA’s story!
Regards,
Don Simpson
San Angelo, TX
PS: Are you named after TS?
February 9, 2019
Hi, Paula…
Just wanted to tell you I finished reading "Seeing the Elephant" a couple !of days ago. I really liked the book! It was a very interesting true life story and really held my interest. I particularly enjoyed the fact there were so many familiar locations and towns so well known to me. The description of Winchester was very accurate and complimentary to the area. What a fascinating life that Tom Armstrong had. Tell Tom, I can't wait till his next book is finished .
Ginny Brown
Keyser, WV
February 22, 2019
You should be so very proud to have written a beautiful story from the first-hand letters written by your great-grandfather. Congratulations!!!
Sherry Monday Ulrich
Shaker Heights, Ohio
November 4, 2019
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