Gadfly Publishing Announces In the Belly of the Anaconda

February 3, 2026

A Civil War Novel Beyond the Myth of the Old South

(Isstories Editorial):- Dalton, Georgia Feb 2, 2026 (Issuewire.com) – Set against the backdrop of the Union’s Anaconda Plan, In the Belly of the Anaconda follows Rachel Durand, a young Jewish widow struggling to protect her family after her husband is killed at the Battle of Shiloh. As New Orleans falls under Union control, Rachel is forced to navigate a city gripped by military rule, economic collapse, and moral uncertainty. Her efforts to survive draw her into a perilous journey, dangerous alliances, and difficult ethical choices that challenge her beliefs about loyalty, justice, and complicity.

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In contrast to the classic, Gone with the Wind, which idealizes the South and sanitizes the brutality of slavery, Ellis’s novel explores themes of war and occupation, women’s agency, antisemitism, and the deeply entrenched systems of the antebellum South. The extensive use of period journals, newspaper articles, and other primary documents cited in the chapter notes and bibliography grounds this epic story in fact rather than fantasy.

In the Belly of the Anaconda is Ellis’s latest work of historical fiction. He holds advanced degrees in medical physiology, literature, and the history of medicine, and his interdisciplinary background informs the novel’s attention to detail and realism.

“Original, historically authentic, and riveting from start to finish.”

–Midwest Book Review

“A richly descriptive, compelling read, packed with historical factoids.”

–Kirkus Reviews

“A vivid portrait of wartime New Orleans…a memorable story that deserves more than five stars.”

–Readers’ Favorite

Publication Details:

Title: In the Belly of the Anaconda
Author: C. Arthur Ellis
Publisher: Gadfly Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: February 2, 2026
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook.

Author Website