Noblesville resident Kevin Yaney has just published The Fourth of July, a trilogy of historical fiction books set during the Civil War.
Yaney
From 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, Yaney will sign books at the Adler Building, 136 S. 9th St., Noblesville. During the event, he will have casual conversations about the story, the Civil War, spies, abolitionists, and Indiana soldiers involved in the fight. The event is open to the public.
The three books of The Fourth of July trilogy tell the story of Louisa McLain and her two sons, George and Will. Sixty years after the war, on the Fourth of July, Louisa is in a nursing home, reading letters her sons sent her during the conflict. As the story unfolds, it is discovered that both George and Will were recruited as Union spies. They were sent perilously behind enemy lines, dressed as Confederate soldiers. They also became part of the abolitionists’ movement through the Underground Railroad, running slaves out of the South to freedom.
“These books came from my research on spies during the Civil War, the Underground Railroad, the involvement of Indiana soldiers in the war, and my family lineage,” Yaney said. “I have always had a fascination with people who risked their lives to promote what they believed. That certainly came about during the Civil War. I enjoyed researching the history behind the events, particularly from the letters left behind by those who were part of the conflict.”
The books explore the complicated issues of the day, particularly slavery and the radical abolitionists movement to eradicate it by any means. It also reveals the strong ties of family and faith that those scattered by the atrocities of war will be reunited. If you enjoy history, the books are faithful to actual events.
“It was important to me that these be historically accurate,” Yaney said. “That being said, there were some crazy things that went on during the war, especially when you get into all the spying and movement of fugitive slaves.”
For more information on the books, go to FourthOfJulyBook.com.