The Earth Trembled

"The Earth Trembled" by Edward Payson Roe is a historical fiction story that takes place during the American Civil War, where the Burgoyne family faces challenges as the war begins. The story follows Mary Wallingford, focusing on her father, Orville Burgoyne, as they confront the conflict that threatens to destroy their Southern way of life. War creates problems for everyone, influencing themes of loyalty, love, and the split between the North and South. Orville, a dad who's been alone since his wife passed, finds himself changing due to politics and the war's tension. His daughter, Mary, shows innocence and fear as she deals with her father's choices and the growing war. She seeks love with Sidney Wallingford, a soldier headed to battle, showing how personal feelings clash with wartime realities. The struggles between family, love, and expectations set the stage for the emotional events to come.