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The Plains of Chalmette: A Story of Crescent City
It is 1814, and America's second war against Great Britain is going badly. Now the enemy is ready for its knock-out punch. They seek to take New Orleans, and by doing so, control the Mississippi River and North America forever. Major Matthew Darcy of Baltimore is dispatched to help defend the beleaguered city, and discovers an alien place that does not trust its new countrymen. He also finds forbidden love with a lovely Cajun-Creole lady. Now, with a devastating invader at the city's door, Darcy joins General Andrew Jackson's rag-tag army of backwoodsmen, Creoles, free blacks, and buccaneers in the face of overwhelming odds.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2015
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Jack Caldwell
36 books102 followersJack Caldwell, born and raised in the Bayou County of Louisiana, is an author, amateur historian, professional economic developer, playwright, and like many Cajuns, a darn good cook.
His nickname -- The Cajun Cheesehead -- came from his devotion to his two favorite NFL teams: the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. (Every now and then, Jack has to play the DVD again to make sure the Saints really won in 2010.)
Always a history buff, Jack found and fell in love with Jane Austen in his twenties, struck by her innate understanding of the human condition. Jack uses his work to share his knowledge of history. Through his characters, he hopes the reader gains a better understanding of what went on before, developing an appreciation for our ancestors' trials and tribulations.
When not writing or traveling with Barbara, Jack attempts to play golf. A devout convert to Roman Catholicism, Jack is married with three grown sons.
Jack's blog postings -- The Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles -- appear regularly at Austen Variations.
His nickname -- The Cajun Cheesehead -- came from his devotion to his two favorite NFL teams: the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. (Every now and then, Jack has to play the DVD again to make sure the Saints really won in 2010.)
Always a history buff, Jack found and fell in love with Jane Austen in his twenties, struck by her innate understanding of the human condition. Jack uses his work to share his knowledge of history. Through his characters, he hopes the reader gains a better understanding of what went on before, developing an appreciation for our ancestors' trials and tribulations.
When not writing or traveling with Barbara, Jack attempts to play golf. A devout convert to Roman Catholicism, Jack is married with three grown sons.
Jack's blog postings -- The Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles -- appear regularly at Austen Variations.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 24, 2019
My Rating: 3.5*
Based on fact, well researched and well written, this story gives readers great detail on the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 with Great Britain.
"President Thomas Jefferson never intended to buy Louisiana. It's just that Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte offered him a deal that was too good to pass up." (quote from the book)
We see the conflict through the eyes of Major Matthew Darcy and Major Jacob Harville on the U.S. side, and Major James Fitzwilliam on the British side, familiar surnames from Jane Austen's novels. However, I felt they were really only superfluous to the real intent of this novel.
This is more of a treatise on the strategies of a major military campaign that decided the fate of New Orleans. Don't get me wrong, I do love history, and I did learn more than what is taught in high school history class on Long Island. However, the fictional portions were missing that little something called 'spark' for me. I think I had more sympathy for Major James Fitzwilliam than I did Major Matthew Darcy.
I am a huge fan of Mr. Caldwell's books. However, in my humble opinion, this is more of a historical military novel than a historical romance novel, but I am glad I read it.
July 24, 2016
The Battle of New Orleans Brought to Life
Set in 1814 (and early 1815), this is the story of the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the War of 1812, told from both sides through one couple on the British side (Maj. James Fitzwilliam and his wife) and another on the American side (Maj. Matt Darcy and Anne-Marie Dansereau. On center stage are the military moves and the officers and men who fought in that battle, which extended over some time. The author gives us the benefit of his research with vivid details. There is a romance between Matt and Ann-Marie, but it is not the main theme.
The book presents a mixture of writing styles. At times, the author intercedes as “the narrator” giving us the historical background and telling us what happened. At other times, he reveals the thinking of the characters (mostly Matt and James) so we can experience the battle through their eyes.
On the American side, Maj. Matthew Darcy of Baltimore has been sent to help General Andrew Jackson defend the city. While he’s about it, he meets the daughter of a French (Acadian) plantation owner who hates the British and is none too fond of the Americans. Matt must win over Anne-Marie’s skeptical father if he is to make her his wife. Meanwhile, General Jackson must get the federal troops, the Kentucky backwoodsmen, the Creoles, the free blacks and Jean Lafitte’s Baratarian privateers to work together.
If you like rich detail in military campaigns and US history, you will enjoy this story. I must say that after a while, the passing parade of military officers’ names and the preparations for battle became a bit of a blur (I had no idea what most of the characters looked like), but I still enjoyed reading how the battle developed on both sides.
The romance, such it was, between Matt and Anne-Marie was not in the foreground for much of the book. (That neither the book description nor any other review I saw mentioned her name is telling.) This is mostly the story of a significant battle and those who played their part in it. And it held my interest.
Set in 1814 (and early 1815), this is the story of the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the War of 1812, told from both sides through one couple on the British side (Maj. James Fitzwilliam and his wife) and another on the American side (Maj. Matt Darcy and Anne-Marie Dansereau. On center stage are the military moves and the officers and men who fought in that battle, which extended over some time. The author gives us the benefit of his research with vivid details. There is a romance between Matt and Ann-Marie, but it is not the main theme.
The book presents a mixture of writing styles. At times, the author intercedes as “the narrator” giving us the historical background and telling us what happened. At other times, he reveals the thinking of the characters (mostly Matt and James) so we can experience the battle through their eyes.
On the American side, Maj. Matthew Darcy of Baltimore has been sent to help General Andrew Jackson defend the city. While he’s about it, he meets the daughter of a French (Acadian) plantation owner who hates the British and is none too fond of the Americans. Matt must win over Anne-Marie’s skeptical father if he is to make her his wife. Meanwhile, General Jackson must get the federal troops, the Kentucky backwoodsmen, the Creoles, the free blacks and Jean Lafitte’s Baratarian privateers to work together.
If you like rich detail in military campaigns and US history, you will enjoy this story. I must say that after a while, the passing parade of military officers’ names and the preparations for battle became a bit of a blur (I had no idea what most of the characters looked like), but I still enjoyed reading how the battle developed on both sides.
The romance, such it was, between Matt and Anne-Marie was not in the foreground for much of the book. (That neither the book description nor any other review I saw mentioned her name is telling.) This is mostly the story of a significant battle and those who played their part in it. And it held my interest.
January 18, 2015
I love Jack's books. This one is not a P & P variation though the Darcy relatives come into play. It was interesting to read a book about this time period from an American point of view. The problem is that I couldn't help but contrast it to Hornblower and Aubrey novels which are superior. I wanted more depth from the characters. Mr Caldwell missed many opportunities to make me love this book by having a character state that something happened when he could have written a scene showing it. There wasn't much to draw me to Matthew Darcy or his romance. More interaction between the Darcy and Fitzwilliam characters would have been welcome. Why bring them together at all if not to develop something from that?
Even with some aspects lacking, I enjoyed the book. I think Jack could do much more and am hoping the next book in the series is a bit more fully developed.
Even with some aspects lacking, I enjoyed the book. I think Jack could do much more and am hoping the next book in the series is a bit more fully developed.
January 19, 2018
1814 and it's the battle for New Orleans. Major Matthew Darcy, a distant relation to the Darcys of Pemberley fights for the Americans while third son Major James Fitzwilliam is for the British. More of an account of the battle than the characters involved. Any romance is a minor story.
Enjoyable and I learnt a little history.
Enjoyable and I learnt a little history.
August 25, 2015
We are proud to announce that THE PLAINS OF CHALMETTE by Jack Caldwell is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews