A Calamity of Souls Paperback – International Edition, 11 April 2024

You know those books that just get into your heart? A Calamity of Souls is one of those books. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. I am a big David Baldacci fan, but this stand alone may be his best yet. It is a big book, at almost 500 pages but it is worth every word.

Don’t hesitate to pick up this book.Loved every minute of it.

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is a masterfully created, profoundly thought-provoking work that blends aspects of literary fiction, legal and familial drama, historical fiction, and suspense. It has taken a long time to write and is a change from his fast-paced, action-packed thrillers. This novel is a compelling story of justice and atonement that is like a tornado of emotions. I was pulled into a world where racism still haunts every aspect of life and justice seems like an unattainable ideal from the moment I turned the first page.I heartily endorse David Baldacci's stand-alone book. They feel like someone you would like to share your thoughts with or be friends with, which makes the characters authentic. I experienced a wide range of intense feelings while reading this book, including empathy, melancholy, irritation, rage, and dread for the state of politics today. It is possibly the author's greatest work to date and is different from any other book I have ever read.

Excellent view of life in the South in the late 1960s. Good portrayal of the animosity dividing the country. A book for anyone who has not lived though that era. A well written book, but not for someone who doesn't like conflict or tragedy.

This was a great story. Very difficult at times to digest what it was like years ago for people of colour.I myself am Metis Canadian. I married an American black Army soldier. Growing up I experienced racism but nothing like what was written in this book. My husband had a difficult time living with the attention he got married to someone not of his race. Luckily times changed and life got easier for people of colour but it’s still there. This book was so great on touching all the experiences of white and black through history.David Baldacci is a great writer and I buy his books hot off the press.

"A Calamity of Souls" is David Baldacci’s deep dive into the heart of American history during one of its most tumultuous times. Set in 1968 in southern Virginia, this courtroom drama thrusts us into a racially-charged murder case with the wrongful accusation of Jerome Washington, a Black man, at its centre.Baldacci presents us with Jack Lee, a white lawyer from Freeman County who faces his own inaction against systemic racism when he decides to represent Washington. Partnering with Desiree DuBose, a Black lawyer from Chicago, they stand against a biased system and outside forces resistant to the strides made by the Civil Rights era. Their partnership, fraught with cultural and personal differences, becomes a battle for justice in a community—and a country—at odds with itself.What unfolds is a narrative that captures the essence of the heroes' journey. Lee and DuBose, though initially reluctant participants in a greater cause, are pulled into the thick of moral and ethical battlefields. As they fight for justice, they are tested in ways that stretch beyond the courtroom, challenging their beliefs and their very identities.The book's engagement with themes of racial tension, justice, and personal transformation is as heartbreaking as it is necessary. As an Australian reflecting on the book, I found the narrative to be a heart-wrenching yet vital portrayal of a period I am distanced from geographically but connected to through a shared sense of humanity and justice. It's a stark reminder that the scars of racial injustice remain raw, despite the passage of time.In the author’s note, Baldacci shares that the seeds of this story are personal and rooted in his own upbringing in Richmond, Virginia. This personal touch adds authenticity to the story, as he tackles the challenging representation of race, bias, and the slow march towards progress.The book shows Baldacci's strength in creating poignant moments and complex characters. The finale, a combination of victory and tragedy, underscores the bitter reality that justice in such a time comes at a high price."A Calamity of Souls" is not just a historical legal drama; it’s an ode to those who fought—and continue to fight—for equality and fairness. It’s for those who are moved by stories that encapsulate the best and worst of the human condition, and for those who find solace in narratives that echo the timeless struggle for a better world.David Baldacci has given us more than a novel; he has offered a lens through which we can examine the past and gain insight into our present. The book compels us to ask difficult questions about progress, equality, and what we can strive for as a society. For lovers of the romance genre, this might be a departure into heavier themes, but the emotional journey and the resolve for a better world resonate deeply with the roots of any profound love story. It's a sobering read, but one that leaves you with a sense of hope—the kind that is hard-won but fiercely cherished.

what a great book, this guy can write, I enjoyed this so much

This is an outstanding book. It shows Baldacci at his very best. Part social commentary and part legal thriller, it is a great balance of both. The points it addresses are profound. It is food for thought for everyone, as well as being riveting and entertaining. But it's far more than just entertainment, it is a mirror of society in America of the 1960s, and sadly perhaps a mirror of today.