'The Circling Eagle' Captures The Heart And Spirit Of The Post Civil War Frontier

Author Darrel Rachel has released a fictional novel that focuses on the turbulent times immediately following the Civil War.

Minco, OK (PRWEB) November 18, 2007 -- The Civil War has captured the attention of Americans perhaps more than any other era of our history. From Ken Burn's documentary, the writings of Shelby Foote, great novels like "God and Generals", "Cold Mountain" and "Killer Angels", to
that well known classic "The Red Badge of Courage", readers have been fascinated by the epic struggle that helped forge our nation.

Now Author Darrel Rachel has released a fictional novel that focuses on the turbulent times immediately following the Civil War. For many, particularly those in the South, the struggle did not end when the fighting concluded. Such was the case with James McKane, the son of a
wealthy Tennessee planter. James returns home from the war to find his family estate in ruins and his wife and children, believing him to have perished in the fighting, now living in Oregon. James leaves his own ailing father behind and undertakes a hazardous journey across the frontier to reclaim the family he loves.

Kate McKane, suffering from grief over the reported demise of James, and an unhappy life with her in-laws, has left Tennessee with an uncle and benefactor named Lewis Harrington, and now lives in the Grande Ronde Valley of Eastern Oregon. Her new home provides little comfort. A conflict with an unsavory business partner leads to the death of Uncle Lewis. His loss leaves the burdens of his business and the woes of a group of desperate settlers squarely on her shoulders.

James's journey brings him face-to-face with the hazards of the post war frontier. In Missouri, he has an encounter with a group of Confederate guerrillas that nearly costs him his life. Although the
physical dangers are many, perhaps his greater challenge turns out to be a struggle within his own heart. Through fate, he finds himself on the Oregon Trail with an African-American mountain man named Wilford Johnson. Being the son of a slave owner, this is a troubling arrangement for both James and Wilford. Through time, and perilous conflicts with Sioux Indians, the two men find a measure of respect for each other.

In the Rocky Mountains, James makes a decision that nearly costs him and Wilford their lives. With winter already at hand he presses on and they become trapped in a blizzard. They are saved when Wilford finds a Blackfoot camp. By this time, James is ill and almost loses his life. He is nursed back to health by a young Blackfoot woman named Little Deer. Due to the harsh winter weather they must stay in the Indian camp until spring.

In the spring, with Wilford's able guidance, James and Kate are reunited in Oregon. There they come face-to-face with the woes that have plagued Kate since the death of her uncle.

Through the eyes of Kate, James, Wilford, Little Deer, and a host of other characters, the reader is transported back to the crucial time in American History when our nation struggled to recover from the tragic conflict that divided our land. In a sense, "The Circling Eagle" is more than just the characters' story; it is part of America's story.

About the Author: Darrel Rachel has worked for many years as an electrical engineer with a number of government agencies. During this time, he has traveled throughout much of the United States, and in some foreign countries as well. His love of history and writing has led him to another career as an author. He now spends most of his time in the town of Minco, Oklahoma, where he pursues his writing career and other interests.

More information about "The Circling Eagle" can be found at:
http://www.darrelrachel.com.

For more information about the author, or book copies for review, please contact Darrel Rachel by email or by phone.

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