Iowa, 1862-- Corn Silk Days is the dramatic story of two families, four generations, during a time when the United States was seriously divided by war, North against South, brother against brother, father against son; a time of upheaval, distress, and death. Adding to the horrific war time events were the struggles within four generations of one family and extended family as they dealt with family secrets, denials, fears, challenges, love, romance, grief, healing, and courage. In the summer of 1862, Iowa farmer, Silas Storm, volunteers for the Union Army and his wife, Elizabeth Jane, pregnant with their second child, must maintain their farm and meet the many challenges the absence of her husband creates. The wise patriarch, Alexander Storm, Silas' grandfather, struggles to keep the families in a stable condition as best he can, but circumstances, events, and family dynamics, make it nearly impossible to do so. The war not only becomes a life-changing event for Silas and other family on the battlefield, but also for those at home who find their own lives changing drastically while facing adversity. Like Silas Storm, dodging the next Rebel bullet that may pierce the air, they, too, must deal with their fears and transform those fears into courage. The question is: will they be able to do that? Although the book is a fictional account of life during the Civil War, author Linda Pendleton, has woven actual letters written by her great-great grandfather into her story, staying true to the military facts presented in his letters home to his wife. "Well Janie, when I heard of the death of Lincoln it appeared to me that I had lost one of my mightiest friends. He was the soldiers' best friend, but he had done enough in this world and the kind hand of Providence called him home to live in peace." Silas, May 1865