Author Talk on Snakebit - Civil War Fiction

About the Book:  Snakebit is the first novel in the Snakebit Series. It is largely told by and through the Maryland Garrett family, their friends and enemies. It is not a single, continuing story arc for it meanders across the country, North, South, East and West, it becomes more a collection of interrelated short stories that reveal engaging historical and cultural details to titillate the reader and make the conflict and the era come to life. The series covers 1859 to 1877, from the period leading up to the contentious election of Abraham Lincoln through the troubled Grant Administration. Ultimately Snakebit exposes the reader to the origin of our current, seemingly irreconcilable, societal divide. Warning: I use authentic period dialogue which includes many racial epithets. I do not condone nor encourage their use and I apologize for any offense they may cause the reader. Unfortunately, bias and bigotry was and still is an integral part of American culture. Our history can hardly be told without exposing its ugly side. 

But through it all the Garretts', their friends and family tell our American story, the story we didn't hear about in school.

About the Author: John Poniske was born in Springfield, Illinois (Lincoln’s hometown), and has always found the Civil War fascinating. He is a Marine veteran who assisted in the evacuation of Saigon and Phnom Penh. His professional life includes time as a feature reporter, freelance writer, bartender, actor and landscaper. With a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in history. John recently retired from teaching History and Journalism in a Maryland alternative high school.His avocation is the creation of historically based board games and has 20 published games to his credit, several on the American Civil War theme. 

The author will provide books for purchase.