Before the end of the ride, however, there are a few tight spots and rough patches. As in the two previous books in the series, Battle Hymn has some exciting battles as Major Macintyre has to deal with threats, foreign and domestic. This time, the South is losing ground and morale and brings in Mexican military to bolster their side. This changes the balance of power and threatens to push the North back in a war that is already grinding on, but the negotiations behind the deal could be a PR nightmare for the New Confederacy if it gets out. To top it all off, a storm's a-brewing, as a powerful hurricane comes in from the Gulf of Mexico to join the fray.
Early on, Union President Samuel Sloan orders a hit on General Macintyre that leaves him physically unscathed, but kills his wife. The relationship between General Macintyre of the New Confederacy and his daughter, Major Robin "Mac" Macintyre, has never been worse after the death of his favorite daughter, Victoria, since (unfounded) rumor has it that Robin killed her. It certainly doesn't help that Robin is rumored to be in a relationship with Sloan. With his two favorite people dead and Robin against him, the very dangerous General finds himself in a bad spot, with nothing to lose, and it's all become very personal.
I've never served in the military, myself, but the little bit that I've heard from friends rings true in Dietz's writing. Furthermore, as someone who has lived in the South and has actually been to New Orleans, the Bayou Choctaw oil reserves, and some of the other byways and landmarks mentioned in the book, it was exciting to read about familiar places in the action that ensued.
If you haven't read the first two books in the America Rising series, then, by all means, start with the first one. If you have followed the series to this point, you'll definitely want to read the action-filled conclusion in Battle Hymn.
