4.0 out of 5 stars Good historical fiction, December 13, 2008
By TS "I love Books"

This book is a look a the Revolutionary War through the eyes of people who lived it. It is very well written and makes you want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next. It is full of historical facts, but is so much more than a chronology of the War. A great read for anyone who enjoys American history.

5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent writing that's well worth your reading time

By L. Bricker (Houston, TX) December 24, 2008

This book is a very well written treatise on the nation during the time of the Revolutionary War. The author knows the history and imparts it in a very well written piece that keeps you moving along looking forward to the next page. His writing shows intelligence but not dryness or aloofness. This is definitely a worthwhile read. Recommended with 5 stars.

5.0 out of 5 starsSoldiers, Spies, and Women of Easy Virtue, January 16, 2009

By Wilard Cushman (San Diego, CA USA)

`Gone For a Soldier' is a novel set in the time of the American Revolutionary War as seen mostly through the eyes of John Van Buskirk and his wife, Anna. Think you know about the Founding Fathers? Wait until you read the real stories of the political intrigues and personality clashes surrounding the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence! Patriots, Loyalists, British and French officers, women of easy virtue, and spies of all persuasions figure in this story of the turbulent events surrounding the difficult birth of the United States of America.

Is this a perfect book? Of course not- the long direct quotations from historical documents included for accuracy may not be to all reader's tastes and the detailed battle descriptions may not interest every reader but these are minor faults in a sweeping and colorful tapestry created by Mr. Hepple. He gives us characters we can care about, some based on members of his family in Revolutionary America. The research that went into this novel must have been mind boggling- a labor of love.

This is a story well worth reading and the characters will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

5.0 out of 5 starsBrings the past to life, January 23, 2009

By Beth A (Mpls, Mn)

An Excellent view of the Revolutionary War, which follows the Van Buskirk family through the war. Where all the characters felt very real (showing both the good and bad sides that everyone has). In the beginning of the book I found myself wishing that some of the chapters (character development) would have been expanded, but I soon found that Mr Hepple develops the characters over time, which I enjoyed just as well. I also appreciated that while Mr Hepple did not shy away from the horrors of war, he did not rub the readers face in it. I would highly recommend this book

5.0 out of 5 starsGone For A Soldier, February 6, 2009

By FearNot "BPalesch" (Lakeland, Fl USA)

From the first page this story grabs hold and doesn't let go. Following the service of John Van Buskirk from the Continental Congress through the defeat of the British at Yorktown this thoroughly researched book offers excitement, romance and adventure seasoned with the perfect touch of humor. A number of historical documents have been included word-for-word which provide an insight into the thoughts, hopes and reactions of our founding fathers. They also bring a humanizing element, bringing the story to a much more personal level than otherwise might be the case. Included, to my delight, is one of the most eloquent documents ever produced; the American Declaration of Independence.

The action in the story will grab your attention; the personalities, good and bad, will keep your attention. One of my criteria for a good book is to make a fictional account become almost a reality - Jeff has succeeded. All in all, a book well worth reading.

5.0 out of 5 stars A FAMILY HISTORY, March 11, 2009
By  Irma Fritz "Author of Irretrievably Broken" (Seattle, WA)
As a school kid, I was never good at memorizing historical dates and names. Without a personal connection, they slipped quickly from memory into oblivion. However, any time I could read a book, see a movie or a play that accomplished the feat of bringing history to life, I not only loved but also remembered it. 

And so it is with Jeffrey S. Hepple's revolutionary war novel, "Gone For a Soldier." His novel carries a double impact in that it is both our collective American--as well as the author's personal--family history, as the character of John Van Buskirk, our guide throughout the novel, is based on the author's maternal relations. The dapper Van Buskirk permits us a very intimate entrée to the founding fathers and the creation of the Declaration of Independence in this book, which breathes life into history. 

Before John Van Buskirk is fit to become the hero who smites large numbers of his enemies, he has a few lessons to learn. The first one is about women; the second is about fighting. He loses in both contests. First, the outrageous young Anna Livingston beats him up verbally and, second, the Livingston's groom, villainous John Cavanaugh, beats him up physically in a stable brawl. But John learns. Smart man that he is, he learns that he will never defeat Anna in her determination to marry him. And he learns to fight, which stands him, and all of us, in good stead eventually in the good fight to win America's independence from Britain. 

For those of us who love all the gory details, there are some great battle scenes in the book, such as the one against the Scots of the 42nd Royal Highland. And for those of us whose eyes mist over when reading the words of America's Founding Fathers, there's a wonderful scene of John (whose eyes do mist over) reading "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" to the assembled townsfolk at the Village of Indian Lake. 

While some of the characters are perhaps too large for life, you certainly won't forget them quickly. John's wife, Anna, is one of those. Her sharp tongue doesn't only get her a husband, but gets her into serious trouble. I must say that there is more than one time when I lost patience with her character. Still, when she's not being a drama queen and simply calls it like she sees it, you gotta love that Anna. 

The novel includes various revolutionary historic documents, which add to an already over-long book. I read it on Kindle, so can't testify to the exact page length, but I would estimate it to be close to 1,000. As a wordy writer myself, I still feel the book might profit from some cuts or might be published in sequels. On the other hand, this long novel gives us very personal glimpses into the lives of our founding fathers and mothers, such as Martha Jefferson talking to John of their new home at Monticello. 

"Gone For a Soldier" is must reading for anyone interested in the birth of our nation. And for a writer to be able to write the history of his nation, as well as that of his own family, must be a dream come true. Kudos to Jeffrey S. Hepple, whose proud roots were the inspiration for writing this excellent book!