Through Many Dangers: A Civil War Story

Through Many Dangers: A Civil War StoryClick to read an excerpt! August 1862. Eighteen year old Harm van Wyke finds his quiet life in the Dutch Reformed community of Holland, Michigan, upended by the American Civil War. When it becomes clear the war will not be as easily won as once believed, President Lincoln calls for 300,000 volunteers to defend the Union. Harms minister, Rev. Albertus van Raalte, encourages the young men of his community to join the cause. Harms father bitterly opposes

Click to read an excerpt!

August 1862. Eighteen-year-old Harm van Wyke finds his quiet life in the Dutch Reformed community of Holland, Michigan, upended by the American Civil War. When it becomes clear the war will not be as easily won as once believed, President Lincoln calls for 300,000 volunteers to defend the Union. Harm’s minister, Rev. Albertus van Raalte, encourages the young men of his community to join the cause. Harm’s father bitterly opposes the idea. Harm hesitates to leave his home, but when his friends portray the war as a grand adventure, he gives in and joins them. Together, some eighty boys and young men from Holland join the 25^th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

As Harm and his friends travel to army camps in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and then Louisville, Kentucky, they face daily temptations to forget God and turn from their faith. Fellow soldiers think nothing of taking the Lord’s name in vain. They gamble, drink, and “forage” from neighboring homes and farms. Harm and his friends gather regularly to sing the old psalms and discuss the Bible, but still, on occasion, they stumble and fall.

As the war progresses, the boys from Holland battle Confederate General John Hunt Morgan in Western Kentucky, and endure an arduous march to Eastern Tennessee where they join the fighting around Knoxville. Later, they take part in General Sherman’s prolonged and bloody Atlanta campaign. Along the way, Harm and his friends face the harsh realities of war—exposure, disease, injury, and death. In the midst of such hardship, Harm’s faith is tried at every turn. His greatest conflict turns out to be spiritual. Will God give Harm the strength to stand for what is right, even if he finds himself opposed by friends?

What others are saying about this book:

"This book is compelling...I found it enjoyable to read, as it reads quite seamlessly and the characters are easy to follow. Kuiper focuses on the emotions and experiences of the characters rather than their surroundings or the overall Civil War. He presents his characters well, giving them unique personalities to make them seem real to the reader. The protagonist, Harm van Wyke, is also developed well, [being] given the qualities of any Christian fighting the Old Man within; he gives a little and takes a little, and sometimes temptation overtakes him. Harm’s spiritual struggle certainly embodies the Christian life." - Gavin H.

"Through Many Dangers is a two-part historical fiction series that brings the American Civil War era to life through the eyes of young characters caught in the turmoil of conflict. Blending adventure, faith, and history, the books highlight the struggles and challenges of ordinary people during extraordinary times. This series is both educational and spiritually edifying, reminding us how faith carries believers 'through many dangers, toils, and snares.'" – @the_daily_chapter_

"There are books aplenty for young children. Not as many for young people—good fictional stories for teens written from a Reformed perspective. Writer P. M. Kuiper helps toward correcting that deficit." – John VanDyk of Christian Renewal

"Author P.M. Kuiper mastered historical accounts...so thoroughly that the novel comes close to being actual history." – Robert Swierenga of the A.C. VanRaalte Institute

"Not only did [Kuiper] stay close to his sources, but also he wrote a great story that is compelling, moves quickly, and stays with readers for a long time." – Annemarieke Ryskamp of The Outlook

"The book is written especially for young people and details the story of a group of Dutch Reformed boys who serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. The test of faith that this service entails is a witness to God’s faithfulness amid the harrows of war and the sinful culture in which these young men live. We hope [this author interview] whets your appetite for the full story!" - The Beacon Lights

Read reviews by Dr. Robert Swierenga, Annemarieke Ryskamp (The Outlook), Carter V. (the Grandville Gleaner), Kenneth Kolk (adjunct professor of history at Kellogg Community College), and John Van Dyk (Christian Renewal).

P.M. Kuiper is a member of the Protestant Reformed Churches. In his free time he enjoys wandering the great outdoors, writing, reading good literature, and playing guitar. He resides in West Michigan. TMD is his first book. Learn more about the author from an interview Kuiper did with Beacon Lights here.

Paula Barone is a wife and mother and a member of the Protestant Reformed Churches. She is a former academic support teacher and enjoys drawing, reading, and indoor rock-climbing. She also lives in Western Michigan.

• 408 pages
• 2 volume set
• paperback
• ISBN Book 1 - 978-1-944555-91-7
• ISBN Book 2 - 978-1-944555-89-4
• Release date: 2021

eBook version available