I acquired this book of historical fiction for the value it could bring to the learning of the history of Bloomington of McLean County, Illinois. While the book is fiction, it is of the history of Bloomington (Everton) and McLean County (Dane County). Chapters cover the years 1830 through 1861.

The cast of characters include most (but certainly not all) of the important men and a few women who had a hand in making Bloomington a city and McLean a county. James Allin, Jesse Fell, David David, and Abraham Lincoln are but a few of the important figures names specifically included, with their actual names used. Others early leaders, such as Ashael Gridley (Abel Green) and Isaac Funk (Isaac Frink) are in the book under pseudonyms. (The before named are but a small sample of characters in the book.)

While some may find the book to be a boring or tedious read, I enjoyed it because of my interest in the history of the city, county, and state in which I live. Although they are minor characters in the book, W. F. M. Arny and Laben Major (both found in Chapter Fourteen - 1856) are mentioned: Arny's selling lots in "North Everton" for Jesse Fell and Major's Hall where Lincoln delivered his "Lost Speech."

While one must keep in mind that the book is fictionalized history, it nevertheless is useful in that it takes a cut at describing people, places, and events that are near and dear to this reviewer. I'm glad to have the book in my little library. ( )