The Ecstasy of Freedom: Book Two

By Leonard Hogue

New York Times Review, by Ellen Tanner Marsh: 'Sequels sometimes pale after reading the initial book, but here, in Book Two of the Ecstasy of Freedom, Hogue had done something revelatory. He's crafted a novel that not only stands out on its own as a saga of the escaped slave Jasper and his journey to freedom, but a moving and indelible portrait of American history. Book Two begins with Jasper scouting for a wagon train bound for California. But since education is everything to Jasper, he studies with a schoolteacher, and even though he's still in love with Early Flower, the Indian maiden, he's soon falling head over heels for the teacher's lovely daughter, Julie, as well. But Julie, like everyone jaaper meets, doesn't know his true identity. She thinks he's an American Indian, and he's afraid to tell her the truth, for both their sakes. Richly atmospheric, Hogue's writing is so clear, so detailed that we feel we're right there on the wagon train with Jasper, with dust on our boots, and hunger growling in our bellies, and unfriendly Indians on the horizon. Much like the main character in Thomas Berger's Little Big Man, Jasper inhabits two worlds, but here it's an Indian and runaway slave. But Hogue's not just interested in exploring both worlds, he's making a plea for tolerance and understanding. Filled with the excitement and terror of moving into strange territory, Jasper's determination and nerve, coupled with his resolve to never forget the family he left behind, are real and stirring. Hogue's dipped his pen in American history, finding twists and turns to make this book a page turner as well as something new and surprising in historical fiction.' This is book 2 of a continuing series of three books; The Ecstasy of Freedom books 1, 2, and 3. Jasper changes his mind and leaves with a wagon train for Californis. He studies with a schoolteacher and her daughter, Julie, who, with her husband, a minister are going to Sacramento to build a church. He studies with them at every opportunity. While waiting for snow to melt he learns to trap, helps to stop a stampede then goes on a cattle drive. While crossing the mountain he inherits a baby when his parents are killed. He faces a hunting party alone and avoids an attack. He falls in love with the teacher's daughter and plans to stay in Sacramento with julie and Junior.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1419617222
• ISBN13: 9781419617225
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
• Length: 298 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.7" x 5.3"