I'm not sure specifically which book 'Like a River: A Civil War Novel' you are referring to. There may be many novels with similar names. You could try checking in a library database or a major book retailer's website for the author information.
Sorry, I can't directly find the author of this book as I don't have enough information about it. It would be best to do a detailed search on book - related websites or libraries.
A civil war novel can be like a river if it has a continuous flow of the narrative. For example, if the plot progresses steadily from one event to another without too many abrupt stops and starts. Just as a river has a constant movement, the story in the novel should keep the reader engaged and moving forward through the events of the Civil War.
'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell can be considered. It's like a river in its vast scope. The story is set against the backdrop of the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Scarlett O'Hara's life is a long and winding journey, much like a river's path. It shows the destruction and changes brought about by the war, as well as the complex relationships between the characters.
Well, in the plot diagram of 'Like a River: A Civil War Novel', the exposition sets the stage with the characters' normal lives before the war disrupts everything. The rising action is filled with events like the characters enlisting, dealing with military life, and the social upheaval caused by the war. The climax could be a significant event like a major battle where the fate of the characters hangs in the balance. The falling action then deals with the immediate consequences of that event, like dealing with losses. Finally, the resolution might be the characters coming to terms with what they've been through, perhaps finding new meaning in their lives or relationships in the post - war period.
Exposition: Introduce the characters, their pre - war lives, and the mood of the times. Rising Action: The start of the Civil War and how the characters are affected, such as being separated from family or having to fight. Climax: A big event in the war that changes everything for the main characters. Falling Action: Dealing with the aftermath of that big event. Resolution: How the characters move on and what the new normal is after the war.
It could be a very different story. Maybe society would have developed in a completely different way, with different power dynamics and economic structures.
Accuracy in historical details is a key factor. If an author can accurately portray the events, battles, and the overall atmosphere of the Civil War era, they are more likely to be considered a big name. For example, authors who have done extensive research on the military strategies, the uniforms, and the daily life of soldiers during that time.