It is only weeks after the Second Manassas in September 1862, and in General Lees army the northern renegade Nathaniel Starbuck must prove his loyalty once again. As Robert E. Lee takes the war north, he will be met by Little Mac, General George McClellan, whose northern army far outnumbers and outguns the invading Confederates.
In Richmond, Virginia, Starbuck is given command of a punishment battalion, a motley collection of cowards, thieves, deserters, and murderers, officered by men who do not welcome Starbucks arrival. Setting off to join Lees army, Starbucks men reach Harpers Ferry in time to take part in Stonewall Jacksons capture of the Union garrison. From there, it is on to the legendary horror of Sharpsburg beside the Antietam Creek, forever to be remembered as the bloodiest single day of the war. There, in the cornfield, Starbuck and his despised men will have their courage and commitment tested as never before.

Bernard Cornwell was born in London. He worked for the BBC and Thames Television before coming to the United States to write full time. He lives with his wife on Cape Cod.

Tom Parker, recipient of the Golden Voice award, records a remarkable variety of books while pursuing his love of theater by directing two or three professional stage productions a year in the Washington, D.C., area.