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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Blood Trators Jul 23, 2008
By Edward M. Earing
A gift for my wife, so here is her review:
My Review of the book "Blood Traitors" written by Marq De Villiers & Sheila Hirtle
This book was suggested a `must read' from a recently found distant cousin in California. I had been researching my Merck/Merk line for many years, and was especially happy to find this book for that reason.
In the history books I read while in school (over half a century ago) we studied nothing about the palatines, nor any other ethnic groups who came to America besides those on the Mayflower. However, through the years and in my own research, I had read about the Dutch indentured Palatines in upstate NY as this is in my husband's German genealogy, and, I had read about those palatines who were shipped off to Ireland to get them out of England, but I knew nothing of those who went to the Carolinas. So finding this book, and, having a small portion of my Merck family line included as well, was especially interesting to me. However, aside from this special meaning for me - I certainly would recommend this book to anyone for the following reasons:
In my opinion, Blood Traitors was very well written, and fully documented about the palatines who went to the Carolinas. For anyone doing research, documentation is a must. At times it was in greater detail than I really liked, however, there was a point to be made, and understandably so, which I did fully understand while reading it, bloody as it was.
This book for me was a real eye opener, as to the many different horrors of the American Revolutionary War, but offered a very good insight as to why some palatines became Loyalist and others Patriots. I had never read any book so detailed about any war like this before, yet because of the explicit details, it brought forth a very clear understanding and a different point of view of the Loyalist as well. For me, it was good learning why some palatines became Loyalists. I would say this book is definitely a `page turner' and I truly loved it. I'm sure I will one day read it again, and yes, I have already recommended it to others in our German genealogy group as a "must read" as it was recommended to me. I'd like to see it placed in all of the special collections libraries for palatine researchers. It really is that good.
Thank you for asking for my review of this book.
Marie Earing, Albuquerque, New Mexico
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Family history Mar 28, 2007
By C Timmerman
"Chuck"
As a descendant of the ZIMMERMAN family in this book, I found it extremely interesting and well worth reading; not only for folks like me, but also for others merely interested in the traumatic history surrounding families during war times ... Revo. or Civil war.
While the book is 'fiction' on the family members dialogues, nevertheless, in talking to the authors, I ascertained that the facts surrounding the happenings were all based on documented and researched actions of the day.
In my case, it gave me goose bumples reading what ancestoral members of my family went thru day by day; and it made me even more proud of my ancestors than ever before. Not only did they suffer tremendously to come over here from old Europe, but once here, and the war drums began to beat, they then suffered even more horrific experiences than one, in America, can imagine.
My rating ... a 10, but it only goes up to 5 ... so a 5 PLUS !
Chuck
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Terribly flawed book Dec 11, 2010
By doonboggle
"CT"
I must alter my comments of 2007 somewhat about this book. While it is based on historical facts concerning who, what and where during the Revo war, other facts within the book regarding locations within the country of Germany for the personnel highlighted, is dubious at best; along with represented family connections. I have been in touch with Ms. Hirtle, and she has confirmed that their references to villages ... and family connections for certain individuals were conjecture. So while the book remains an interesting fictionilized book to read regarding how people suffered, etc. during the Revo war, that is about it. Do not accept villages ... or proposed family connections ... mentioned as 'gospel'. Do your own research and due diligence. Chuck
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Not only for immigrants from Germany Sep 01, 2010
By Gerhard Austin
"Austynas"
An amazing amount of research went into this book. I am awed by the authors' skills, transforming the facts so that they fit into their story. The final result is a fascinating documentary novel that reads like a thriller.
I read "Blood Traitors" primarily as a book about an often neglected region of the Revolutionary War, South Carolina. A panorama of the human condition unfolds, as it evolves when war and hate take over.
Family trees instead of the short explanation of names in the beginning would have been helpful for the reader to keep, for instance, the various Heinrichs separated.
One weakness in the added materials: The never-ending misspellings of German words is embarrassing. In case of a second edition, I would gladly offer to do the proof-reading.
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