Book Review:The Battle of the Crater: A Novel by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen

When I was in graduate school, I told a particular professor that I was reading one of Newt Gingrich's alternate historical fictions.  What proceeded was a 15 minute lecture on Newt Gingrich's politics and another 10 on how historic fiction is bad for history.  Some of you might tune out or turn off if you see the name Gingrich anywhere near history, or historic fiction but you are missing out. Sure, Gingrich's books (or any historic fiction for that matter) you are not going to find heavy hitting, new research, but you will find something that is engaging and imaginative. Forget not the fact that Gingrich has a Ph.D in European History. Only a few of us can say that, right??

With that in mind, I fear little Gingrich writes in his historical fiction series, of which I have 3 of the 4 in the Civil War line.  Sure, there will be some bias in his writing, but what book is void of bias? The latest, The Battle of the Crater: A Novel, is unlike previous books in that it is not an alternative history. Like the popular Killer Angels type books, Gingrich puts words into the mouths of the people taking part in history. What is said in the novel likely was not in life, but who knows?  I for one, have always struggled to read historic books that do not give you any form of dialog between the characters, which is why I read books like The Battle of the Crater. It's a light read, but interesting and well written. Along with other historic novels, you can be drawn into the story and use your imagination to see what is happening easier than the dry, historic accounts that so many people think history really is.  

When you step away from Gingrich the politician, and look at what his book is (a NOVEL based on FACT), you will get a clearer picture. I think it is worth a read at the beach or on a cloudy day at home.  My advice; take my professor's rant with a grain of salt.  He was a most likely mad that Gingrich's "side projects" were out selling his "professional projects" to the tune of a several thousand to one.  Try out some historic fiction, even if it's lightly peppered in with your serious history reading.