The Call of the South

"The Call of the South" by Robert Lee Durham, is a story that unfolds during a time of potential war, primarily centering on the 71st Ohio regiment's response to a call for soldiers to defend Venezuela from German forces, touching upon themes of devotion to country, responsibilities, and one's background. The story follows a young man named Hayward Graham, a man of mixed background, as he copes with societal views on race and his own wish to fight for his country. The book begins in a bustling military building where citizen-soldiers ready themselves to answer the President's call, amid rising concerns about German activities in Venezuela. We meet Hayward Graham, a young man who wants to serve, but is turned down because of how society views the small percentage of African ancestry in his family history. As the story begins, the vivid setting shows the soldiers' enthusiasm along with hints of the realities of duty and sacrifice, especially for Graham—left with embarrassment and a strong desire to demonstrate his value. The beginning does a good job of showing the close relationships soldiers have with each other, what's anticipated of them, and the deeper issue of what race means within the context of loving one's country.