Blue Hurricane Author:F. van Wyck Mason Writing of the great "River War" fought in the Mississippi and its tributatries by the Union Navy in 1862, and of the adventures of Matt Hovery from the State of Maine, F. van Wyck Mason adds a new novel of sweep and vitality to an already distinguished list of books that bring America's past to life. — Matt Hovey flees his home as a fugitive aft... more »er he carries out the vengeance he has planned in him mother's name. To Phoebe Whidden he can bid only a hasty farewell, and she swears she will follow him later. In corrupt and strife-torn St. Louis, Matt joins forces with men who have the golden touch when it comes to turning the Union's ordeal into huge profits by blockade running. It is the sight of Phoebe in danger that finally brings Matt to his senses and to the testing of his courage by service on the Union ironclads.
Encompassing a large number of vividly drawn characters, form Dr. Rob Ashton to Paul Dent, the deserter who determines to fight again, and the lovely Flavia Cosby, the author portrays the whole climactic year of struggle when the Confederacy was cut vertically in half. Here is that strange war fought by Eads' ironclads, built in forty-five days. Supporting Grant in the stroming of Forts Henry and Donelson and winning the crucial battle on the Mississippi, these craft and their gallant crews played a vital role.
"Blue Hurricane" is the second book in Mr. Mason's projected tetralogy of the Civil War, a series comparable to his famous quartet of books on the American Revolution. Old and new readers alike will find in this book not only absorbing fiction by a master novelist, but also an heroic and fascinatingly revealed chapter of our history.« less