Hurricane Pondering…
September ended with a tropical blast named Helene. Connie and I are heart broken over the devastation and havoc the storm wreaked over the Florida Gulf Coast, Georgia, and Carolinas. I’ve been around long enough to have witnessed more major hurricanes than I care to remember… Helene certainly ranked right up there with storms like Donna, Camille, Betsy, Hugo, Andrew, Opal, Charley, Francis, Ivan, Jeanne (the last four in 2004 crisscrossed Florida), and Katrina… Others have left their mark as well, and there will be others. Let us pray none stronger or more deadly than Andrew, Katrina, and Helene. The good news is trees will grow again, the earth will swallow the scars across land, rivers will recede and coastlines will evolve with its wildlife. We too will recover and rebuild, and yet we will mourn the loss of lives lost. I’ve witnessed tornadoes and floods that have unleashed nature’s fury as well. Let is not lose faith and hope and love, and our faith in God.
October Brings a Busy Season of Events
Visit my event page for all the latest updates on upcoming author events and historical book talks. I am adding more and more historical book talks at libraries, book clubs, and organizations heading into 2025.
Why add historical book talks? Because, HISTORY MATTERS! More and more folks are eager to learn about our country’s past-the good, the bad, and the ugly. Our Nations’s history is replete with its share of shortcomings, especially when judged with our 21st Century mindset. Yet, there are lessons to be learned by reading about our past–the course of our future depends upon using the past to forge a better way into the future. There is far more grayness than the simple black and white book ends we learned in school or are the focus of hype today.
October Newsletter (click the download, if needed)
Brief Overview of The Last Laird of Sapelo
“Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Georgia, ‘The Last Laird of Sapelo’ is a captivating historical novel that delves into the intricate web of relationships on Sapelo Island. As the last laird struggles with his legacy and the island’s enslaved inhabitants navigate the harsh realities of plantation life, a tale of love, loss, and resilience unfolds. With vivid prose and rich historical detail, this novel paints a poignant portrait of a bygone era and the enduring human spirit.”
Review of The Last Laird of Sapelo
“The Last Laird of Sapelo” is a captivating historical novel that transports readers to the lush landscapes and rich history of Sapelo Island, Georgia. This novel weaves a tale of love, loss, and resilience against the backdrop of the Antebellum South.
Set in the mid-19th century, the novel follows the life of the last laird, or landowner, of Sapelo Island, a man whose identity becomes intertwined with the fate of the island itself. Through vivid prose and meticulous historical research, the author brings to life the complexities of plantation life, the nuances of race relations, and the struggles faced by those caught in the throes of societal change.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its characters, who are drawn with depth and humanity. From the proud yet conflicted laird to the resilient enslaved people who toil on his land, each character is imbued with complexity and nuance. Through their eyes, readers gain insight into the harsh realities of slavery, as well as the bonds of friendship and love that transcend social barriers.
Moreover, “The Last Laird of Sapelo” excels in its portrayal of Sapelo Island itself, which emerges as a character in its own right. From the windswept shores to the sprawling plantation estates, the island is depicted with such vivid detail that it becomes almost tangible, serving as a powerful backdrop to the unfolding drama.
While the novel grapples with weighty themes, including slavery and the legacy of the Old South, it also offers moments of beauty and redemption. Through moments of quiet introspection and unexpected acts of kindness, the characters navigate the complexities of their world with courage and resilience.
Overall, “The Last Laird of Sapelo” is a masterfully crafted historical novel that offers a poignant exploration of the human spirit in the face of adversity. With its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and compelling narrative, it is sure to captivate readers from beginning to end.
Book Club Study Guide for The Last Laird of Sapelo
What or who haunted Randolph the most throughout the story?
Who were Randolph ’s most stalwart supporters and aided him as regimental commander? Why?
Why did Randolph resign his command and join the staff of Gen. W. H. T. Walker in Savannah? What challenges arose? Why did he like Walker?
Why did Randolph aid Hector? Was it right or did he pervert justice?
Why the title of a Laird?
How did differently did the Scottish landholders of coastal Georgia approach the handling of enslaved workers?
How different was life on Spalding land different with their enslaved workers?
Why do you believe the freed slaves of Sapelo after the war returned to Sapelo? Why have the descendants of the original Geechee families clung so fiercely to Sapelo Island as their home?
Do you believe History Matters? History is not as black and white as we have been taught to believe; there’s a huge swath of grayness that blurs the understanding of right and wrong by our ancestors. The context of the times reveals much about our country’s history. How different might the context of antebellum America versus our modern 21st-Century hindsight influence our understanding of the story? What modern parallels exist today that may be challenged by future generations?
If you would like to read more about life on Sapelo Island and devastated Darien following the Civil War, email mike@tmbrownauthor.com Let him know you want to learn more about how life changed on Sapelo Island in the decades after The Last Laird of Sapelo ended.
Sapelo Shrimp & Grit Casserole Recipe
Do Reviews Matter?
If you’ve read one are all four of the novels by T. M. Brown, please leave a review or at least a star rating, hopefully a 4 or 5 star rating. If you did not like a book, contact me directly. Leave your review on Goodreads, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble. Mike has never used review organizations to pump up the number of reviews, he needs his readers to provide their honest reviews. Thank you for taking two minutes to help others discover these books.
