My hope to learn more about Rhett's side of the story was only half fulfilled. Donald McGaig is a wonderful story teller and very knowledgeable when it comes to the civil war. If you are interested it lots of facts about the time, almost listed facts with many names dropped you've found the right novel to learn while reading. The first half was strenuous to read since there were so many names, people, places and constellations to consider. What I missed the most was that the author didn't succeed in creating a story where you bond with at least one the protagonists. In the end it was Belle Watling's death what moved me the most. For me it was a bit disappointing that Rhett himself didn't play the big role I thought he would in this story. However, the extended part of the story, the part after "..and I don't give a damn" propitiated me after reading the ordinary "Rosamunde Pilcher"-like story "Scarlett" by Alexandra Ripley.