How Long to Read The Haystack

How Long Does it Take to Read The Haystack?

It takes the average reader 5 hours and 3 minutes to read The Haystack by James J. Mulligan

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

It began in Philadelphia and might have ended there had it not been for the curiosity aroused by a remarkable dead horse (so unusual a horse that Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote about it and Alexander Gardner stopped to photograph it). That, in turn, led to the discovery of a dead man, which, under the circumstances, ought to have been utterly unremarkable. The finding of a body on a battlefield is hardly a surprise. Especially on September 19, 1862, between Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, two days after the bloodiest single day's fighting in American history. In the fields and woods lay more than 20,000 dead and wounded of both sides. At first neither army had left the field, no territory had changed hands and, like two wounded animals, the armies lay there panting, unable to fight further and still unwilling to disengage. By the dawn of September 19, Lee had slipped away and saved his army. But among all the bodies, this one is different, at least according to Doctor James V. Dougherty, assistant surgeon of the 69th Pennsylvania. He convinces Medical Steward Sean McBrien of this, but will anyone else believe him? After all, Dougherty is 20 years old, fresh out of medical school and has been in the Army of the Potomac a mere two weeks. Hardly a record to inspire confidence. Yet he has one advantage. In his two years at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, he worked with Doctor Carl Gustavus Brownson, professor of anatomy and a leading expert in forensic medicine. Brownson drummed into Dougherty an appreciation of detail and a sense of responsibility for seeking justice for those who could no longer do so for themselves. The desire to learn the cause of death of a man who, Dougherty is convinced, should not have been on the battlefield at all, soon develops into a much deeper concern. In spite of the opposition of his superior officer, Dougherty is determined to learn the truth, but each glimmer of that truth plunges him more deeply into a plot that soon brings down upon him the unwelcome attentions of Allan Pinkerton, General McClellan's chief spy. The combination of Dougherty's expertise in forensics and McBrien's years of experience in dealing with the army leads them to a solution. But it will not be found until Dougherty is literally within an inch of losing his own life. The whole story is told within the framework of the history of the Battle of Antietam and its aftermath. Part of the mystery is worthy of modern crime scene investigation techniques, but they did not exist at the time. Instead, the author finds the solution within the limits of the investigative techniques available in the nineteenth century. Fact and fiction are woven seamlessly together, ensuring that both Civil War buffs and mystery fans alike will be delighted with the outcome.

How long is The Haystack?

The Haystack by James J. Mulligan is 296 pages long, and a total of 75,776 words.

This makes it 100% the length of the average book. It also has 93% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Haystack Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 6 hours and 54 minutes to read The Haystack aloud.

What Reading Level is The Haystack?

The Haystack is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Haystack?

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