Winning His Way

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22913

Title

Winning His Way

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in a frontier village, this Civil War-era tale follows Paul Parker, a spirited boy raised on stories of Revolutionary heroism. When Fort Sumter falls, Paul joins the fight, enduring starvation and imprisonment at Andersonville. With unwavering loyalty to his flag and friends, he survives the war's horrors to return home, where his bond with Azalia deepens amidst a community united by sacrifice and patriotism.

Summary up to 500 words

Charles Carleton Coffin's *Winning His Way* chronicles the transformative journey of Paul Parker, a spirited twelve-year-old boy in the village of New Hope, Ohio. Raised by his Revolutionary War veteran grandfather, the 'Old Pensioner,' Paul is instilled with the core values of courage, truth, and honor. His idyllic childhood, filled with stories of Bunker Hill and playful antics with his dogs, is shattered by the outbreak of the Civil War. Upon hearing of the fall of Fort Sumter, Paul feels an immediate call to duty, leaving his home to fight for the Union. The narrative vividly depicts the brutal realities of war, including the capture of Union soldiers and their subsequent imprisonment at the infamous Andersonville prison camp. There, Paul and his comrades endure starvation, disease, and the harsh elements, their bodies reduced to skeletal frames. In a moment of profound desperation, Paul nearly dies but is miraculously saved by Azalia, a fellow prisoner who nurses him back to life with tender care. The story follows the survivors' arduous journey home, a long trek filled with suffering and hope. Upon returning to New Hope, Paul is greeted as a hero, though physically broken. His slow recovery is supported by the unwavering love of his community and, most importantly, Azalia. The novel concludes with Paul and Azalia reunited, their love forged in the fires of war. Through Paul's experience, Coffin explores the high cost of liberty, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring power of friendship and love, serving as both a historical record of the Union soldier's ordeal and a moral fable about character and integrity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Fiction