38 pages • 1 hour read
Bull Run
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Book Brief
128
Novel • Fiction
Eastern USA • 1860s
1993
Middle grade
8-12 years
810L
Super Short Summary
Bull Run by Paul Fleischman depicts the events leading up to, during, and after the Battle of Bull Run through the perspectives of 16 Union and Confederate narrators, illustrating the chaos, destruction, and emotional toll of the Civil War's first major battle. The novel addresses themes of war's destructiveness, its universal impact on humanity, and the shared desires across both sides of the conflict. This book contains mentions of suicidal ideation and uses period-specific language that may be sensitive.
Challenging
Contemplative
Melancholic
Mysterious
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
1,599 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Paul Fleischman’s Bull Run captures the chaotic and emotional reality of the Civil War through multiple perspectives. The narrative’s unique structure is both a strength and a limitation. Reviewers appreciate the varied viewpoints and rich historical detail, though some find the fragmented format disjointed. Overall, it’s praised for its educational value and emotional depth.
Who Should Read Bull Run?
Readers who would enjoy Bull Run by Paul Fleischman are typically those interested in historical fiction, especially focusing on the American Civil War. Fans of The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara or Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt will likely appreciate this book's multi-perspective narrative and rich historical details.
1,599 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Gideon Adams
Gideon Adams
A free Black man from Cincinnati, Ohio, who can pass as white and demonstrates bravery by enlisting to fight and advocating for racial equality.
Toby Boyce
Toby Boyce
An 11-year-old boy from Georgia determined to join the war, driven by a desire for adventure and a belief in the glory of battle.
Dietrich Herz
Dietrich Herz
A German immigrant who feels a sense of belonging in a mostly German regiment and cherishes a photo of a young woman for hope and connection.
James Dacy
James Dacy
A Northern illustrator following the army to sketch battles for a newspaper, known for his romanticized views of warfare.
Colonel Oliver Brattle
Colonel Oliver Brattle
An officer in the Confederate army.
Flora Wheelworth
Flora Wheelworth
A Southern grandmother.
Virgil Peavey
Virgil Peavey
A young soldier in the Confederate army.
Dr. William Rye
Dr. William Rye
A doctor for the Confederate army.
Judah Jenkins
Judah Jenkins
A young courier in the Confederate army.
Carlotta King
Carlotta King
A young enslaved woman brought to the battle by a Confederate officer.
Lily Malloy
Lily Malloy
A young girl in Minnesota.
Nathaniel Epp
Nathaniel Epp
A photographer accompanying Union troops.
General Irvin McDowell
General Irvin McDowell
The general and leader of the Union army.
A. B. Tilbury
A. B. Tilbury
A young soldier in the Union army.
Edmund Upwing
Edmund Upwing
A Northern driver for rich families.
128
Novel • Fiction
Eastern USA • 1860s
1993
Middle grade
8-12 years
810L
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