Soldier's Heart

Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers

By: Gary Paulsen

Narrated by: George Wendt

Gary Paulsen introduces readers to Charley Goddard in his latest novel, Soldier's Heart. Charley goes to war a boy, and returns a changed man, crippled by what he has seen. In this captivating tale Paulsen vividly shows readers the turmoil of war through one boy's eyes and one boy's heart, and gives a voice to all the anonymous young men who fought in the Civil War.

Critic reviews

"A stark, utterly persuasive novel of combat life in the Civil War that may well challenge generations of middle-school readers."--The New York Times

"Paulsen's storytelling is so psychologically true that readers will feel they have lived through Charley's experience."--Publishers Weekly, Starred

"The nightmare of the Civil War comes to the pages in this novel from Paulsen . . . based on the real-life experiences of a young enlistee."--Kirkus Reviews, Pointer

"The novel's spare, simple language and vivid visual images of brutality and death on the battlefield make it accessible and memorable to young people."--Booklist, Starred

too short

granted more detail isn't necessary to meet the authors goal, but the story kind of jumps from the battle damaged boy of 15 to 16 years old to an even more emotionally devastated 20 year old. For a young audience this might be sufficient but I don't feel it conveys a enough detail to fix the PTSD suffered.

Not all wounds are visible

"Soldier's Heart" was the term assigned to Civil War battle weary soldiers, and those who survived the horrors of war, only to relive such battles in nightmares and intrusive thoughts. 2,500 years previously Soldier's Heart was recognized in the Book of Job (22-32 NIV) and called "Mark of the Sword."

Not all wounds are visible, and the name for such wounds would be called by different names: WWI, Shell Shock; WWII and Korean War, Combat Fatigue; Vietnam War, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Like a "Rose by any other name" (Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet), Gary Paulsen's "Soldier's Heart" paints the Civil War battlefield's in the close up and personal savagery that can inflict a life-long invisible wound that truly changes a warrior.

Donald Poss

great read

Loved it, somewhat graphic but quick, easy read that depicts the devastation of the Civil War perfectly

very good read

As a soldier i loved it. i could see the detail in the story. It gave me more respect for the men back then.

Outstanding. I use this in my 6th Grade SS class

Excellent story that gives the reader a real "feel" for what the war was like through the eyes of a young Minnesota boy.