Quantrill's War

The Life and Times of William Clarke Quantrill, 1837-1865

By: Duane Schultz

Narrated by: Richard Davidson

Award-winning novelist and historian Duane Schultz, dramatically recreates the treachery of Civil War "Colonel" William Clarke Quantrill's life and the riveting climax of his infamous raid on Lawrence, Kansas. From letters and diaries, Schultz skillfully weaves together this exciting, dark side of Quantrill - a man who was part warrior, part villain.

At first, William Clarke Quantrill conveniently sided with whomever was the strongest at the time - abolitionists or slavery supporters - but eventually, he settled on backing the Confederacy. With his charismatic personality, he attracted a motley band of idealists and renegades for his guerilla army. Quantrill longed to be an officer, but when the Confederacy refused to commission him, because of his tactics of murdering for pleasure and looting for gain, he simply took the title of colonel and later, captain.

Narrator Richard M. Davidson takes the listener to the battlefields, bringing to life the people, sights, and sounds of the Civil War. The combination of Schultz's masterful descriptions and Davidson's sense of timing makes Quantrill's history as exciting as today's headlines.

©1996 Duane Schultz (P)1997 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Schultz retells Quantrill's life with dramatic flourish - his re-creation of the Lawrence, Kansas, massacre and of the pursuit of Quantrill by scattered Union forces is particularly exciting. Readers interested in the dark side of the Civil War will find much to ponder." ( Publishers Weekly)

great work!

I always knew the stories of Quantrill, but never the extent and the savage nature of the man. I only wish the ending would have brought to modern day the artifact being discussed! (no spoilers here!)

Overall a Great Book

I liked this book, especially the narration. It was a good audio read. My only knock against it was the many chapters that really had nothing to do with Quantrill, just general history. Informative, but not completely relevant. Overall, though, I was left with the feeling I knew more about the odd and terrifying man that was William Quantrill. I would recommend this book.

Quantrill's War - a famous criminal's story

The fascinating and horrific accounts in and around the life of this man and those of his contemporaries are fascinating pieces of history every person with family roots in Kansas or Missouri should know about as well as any Civil War buff or criminologist should become familiar with. A history as told by an excellent narrator, and of course kudos to the author on a job very well done.

Must listen

All I can say s this was exciting and a wonderful listen. Highly recommended.

Interesting Perspective

Mr Schultz's examination of the Confederate guerrilla, Quantrill was enlightening if not overly entertaining.

War (in particular, civil war) is a bloody and brutal thing. From the outset, Mr Schultz skewered Quantrill on essentially being nothing but an opportunist and bandit. He takes every effort to make this point throughout the book. Ironically, the brutality and atrocities committed by Quantrill (scalping, robbery, murder, etc.) were largely initiated and matched (if not learned from) stroke for stroke in the book by Union troops and sympathizers.

The story was reasonable. The narration was good. Overall, a worthwhile story for those with an interest in the subject.

An Historical NOVEL

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Northern Civil War "buffs" and re-enactors that want to role-play a Northern POV concerning this subject for public amusement.

What was most disappointing about Duane Schultz’s story?

Book is written as a novel, no sources quoted at all. A Yankee point-of-view all the way.
Example, if one were to ask Nazis what the truth is about Jews, you would get the same kind of response.
Completely one-sided. I would believe it more if sources for whats presented were there..
Example, "At first, William Clarke Quantrill conveniently sided with whomever was the strongest at the time - abolitionists or slavery.." IF true, it would have been better if the author said something like, "At first, William Clarke Quantrill conveniently sided with whomever was the strongest at the time - abolitionists or slavery, or so (name of Raider) would later tell interested folks." or something like that.
Even has him torturing animals as a child WITH NO SOURCES MENTIONED as having witnessed this.
I got less a feeling of hearing History than I did opinion, roomer and a Novel.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He did a great job conveying the author's intent. Was read as though he was disgusted in the subject. Really funny too. I got the vision of a girly-boy who was gossiping about roomers he'd heard on someone. The narrator was playing his part well!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Eye-opening in that it shows how the North still thinks about the Civil War and Confederate figures. I am sure the actions described really happened but this PRETENDS to jump inside his head..

Any additional comments?

Got the book here with one of my credits, glad I didn't pay for it on top of membership.