Book Review
Soul of the South
By MIKE WITHAM Reviewed by SMYTHE NEWSOME
A person's soul is often under stood as the sum of various influences which shape his innermost being, which may be the product of one's mind, psyche, ego, belief, and spirit. It may also be seen as inherent in "the image of God" by which mankind was created above all other creatures.

The "soul" of a non-human entity - as an institution, a nation, an artistic expression, or literary discourse , for instance - thus becomes the collective introspection of the people who are involved in creating and shaping that entity. Rarely, an individual personality may be so dominant in a movement or cause that he himself is said to be its soul.

Such is the case of super-hero William Henry Lytham, the perfect embodiment of Old South presumptions of aristocracy, invincibility, superiority, prosperity, and patriotism. Surely the similarity between the names of the protagonist and the author, Canadian school teacher Mike Witham, is no coincidence. Witham has seemingly woven his own fantasies, dreams, ideas, and ideals into the fictional personality whose experiences offer different insight into the motives and choices which caused the Civil War.

William Lytham was born in Mobile, Alabama, but had so distinguished himself as a student at Mobile Military Academy that he seemed destined for a bright future in the United States Army. When the national tensions surrounding slavery and economic oppression intensified to make it clear that the nation was divided, Lytham scuttled his career by declaring for his native South.

At one point, in keeping with the fantastic success of the young officer, William somehow was having a conversation with President Lincoln. The President asked Lytham: "How is it that God could have created two individuals out of the same mold who are on opposite sides in our dilemma? I have a feeling, William, that in the end we will both pay the ultimate price for our beliefs."

Lytham's answer is classic: "My decision, Mr. President, was the toughest decision I have ever made. I believe it was just as tough for the rest of the South. To secede from the nation that dispelled British tyranny, with the North and the South fighting side by side, was difficult beyond belief. I have no regret. I love the South. I would rather die in poverty following my heart in life, Mr. President, than live in luxury betraying myself."

So William Lytham became known as the "Soul of the South," with SOUL as an acronym for South Over Union, Lytham.

Witham's first novel traces the adventures of Lytham as a rebel spy in Washington, D.C., a CSA ambassador to England and France, and on the battlefield, where his military genius produces incredible success. Of course, there is also romance for such a dashing hero, including the belle of Virginia, whom he later marries, and an irresistible French siren in Paris, who did not intend to marry anyone.

Soul of the South presents the implausible view that most Southerners would have preferred to abolish slavery on their own, but that Northern economic tyranny forced them to rely on slave labor in order to derive a profit from their cotton and other crops.

It is also unclear how Lytham or any other military genius could rally his troops with a pep talk in the midst of a pitched battle.

Other than that, Soul of the South is an excellent first novel by Mike Witham, whose descriptions and insights into the struggles and triumphs of William Lytham, perhaps his alter ego, make it a genuine joy to read.

Soul of the South is available in the Mary Willis Library.

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