Illustrations by means of photos and letters prove the authentic background to this tale, weaving together the fates of a few young friends with the move for secession and the Civil War in America. The FRIENDS OF THE WIGWAM are settlers near a town called Freeport on the Pecatonica River, Illinois, who make their way through childish pastimes, tree climbing, fishing, teasing and rivalry, into our hearts. The boys and girls discover a hidden wigwam - constructed shelter - in the river bank and use it as their den while they chat. War looms and threatens to separate them for ever.

I enjoyed the portrait of the real people more than the better known heroes we see, such as Lincoln, and various generals. The electioneering stunts were definitely amusing. Reasons for war are presented through the experiences of the people, most of whom, of course, just want to get on with their lives. As well as Aaron, Will, TJ the sharp shooter with his new Sharps rifle, Trick, Allie, Jenny and young Negro boy Blue, I'm glad we follow a majestic warhorse called Black Hawk. Horses worked hard and died in wars and this one horse, saved from a barn fire as a colt when the entire town was blazing, represents many.

Details of the day move swiftly from battle terrors to an officer writing with a lap desk, to a young lady being told to dress well for a ball. The war subject matter means that the story is not for the tender, but we marvel at the bravery of those concerned, particularly for me, Allie. This determined girl transcends the expectations of women held by her society.

With many strands to follow, it seems to me that John William Huelskamp has concentrated on writing an accurate historical portrait rather than a thriller. This author has researched his Illinois heroes thoroughly and he appears on televised broadcasts raising awareness of forgotten Civil War participants.

The cover shows a picture of sabre-wielding Colonel Putnam and the 93rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry; above this painting we see photographs of some of the actual people from the book. These FRIENDS OF THE WIGWAM lived in a chaotic time and to understand them is to understand this portion of America's history. Having read accounts which were more fictionalised I enjoyed seeing into the hearts and minds of some genuine participants.