“A HORRIBLY BEAUTIFUL LIFE”

THE HORRIBLY BEAUTIFUL LIFE OF A CIVIL WAR VETERAN WHO WANTED NORMALCY AFTER YEARS OF TRAGEDY

He was a man unhappy with his lot in life. Destined to a life of his ancestors and not participating in the journey of the American Dream. John wanted more than plowing fields and harvesting crops. His dreams were bigger and more suited to an adventurer than a farmer. His love of family was the only anchor that held him back to a home where life was more like that of colonial days, than of an emerging American empire. His yearning for a different life led to one of both happiness and deep sadness in his horribly beautiful life.

“…The complexities between and among people often fade with time. It is difficult to truly comprehend relationships in our families, in our communities, in our country, and in our world. This is especially difficult when doing so in times of war.

Mr. James P. Derr shares his well-researched family history around the time of America’s most tragic conflict, the Civil War, in three books based on letters from his family and in-depth study. In this third book, he illustrates the nature of relationships before, during and after combat. Jim brings to life the story of those in his family who fought, the people they served, and impact on the families…”

Sinclair M. Harris

Rear Admiral, United States Navy (Retired)