THE BLOODY GROUND

Rebel Major Nate Starbuck, hero of a number of Cornwell’s popular novels about the Civil War, is assigned to command a disorderly battalion and to whip it into fighting shape. Narrator Ed Sala’s gritty twang fits the story well. As the author dwells on personal conflict and characterization, so does Sala. Action sequences get no particular step-up of tension. In fact, Sala’s narrative proceeds on an even keel no matter what the demands of the content at any given point. Yet, his sound, as of an eyewitness reminiscing while whittling by the cracker barrel, has a strong appeal. Y.R. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]