Eagle's Cry

American Story #3

by David Nevin

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison are leading the nation from an incipient aristocracy toward a modern democracy in what Jefferson would call the Second Revolution.

But with the death of George Washington comes the two party system and
struggles for which the young nation is ill prepared. First comes an internal coup attempt and then the threat of Napoleon's army landing in New Orleans which leads ultimately to the triumphant Louisiana Purchase and the emergence of America as a continental nation. All this as the greatest minds and visionaries of young America lay the foundation for the America we know today.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Novels

575 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

David Reinhardt Nevin was born in Washington. His father, a veterinarian in the US Army when it had a horse cavalry, was soon assigned to Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Mr. Nevin joined the US Navy as a teenager and served in the Pacific. After the war he did poorly in college, but could write well enough to be hired as a police reporter for The Brownsville (Texas) Herald. That led to work for Time and Life magazines.

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novel in David Nevin's series of historical novels spanning from the late 1790s to the eve of the Civil War. Like the previous novel in the series I read (i.e. "1812: A Novel"), "Eagle's Cry" represents, in the author's words, "the imagined inside of a known outside story."

The novel begins with a view of the last days of George Washington in December 1799. Washington (his invaluable service as commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution notwithstanding) had become the indispensable man, who almost singlehandedly through 2 terms as President, helped to keep the young, struggling nation afloat. His death represented, not only a changing of the guard, but also a seismic shift as the "1776 generation" began to slowly pass from the scene.

The following year, there was the controversial Presidential Election of 1800. The vote was so close that it had to be decided in the House of Representatives. At that time, the man who garnered the most votes became President while the runner-up (irrespective of political party) automatically became Vice-President. In the case of the 1800 Election, it ended up in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both Democrats. The Federalist Party, who had previously been in power, was appalled at the prospect of Jefferson becoming President because he was regarded by them as a wild-eyed radical who would cater to the 'unenlightened common herd' and give short shrift to the nation's business and commercial interests. The novel gives some sense of the shenanigans that were played out among Federalists and Democrats that eventually settled the issue of who would be President.

Nevin also fleshes out in considerable detail some of the significant historical figures in Washington and in what was then the Far West (i.e. states and territories ranging from the Ohio Valley to the Mississippi Region abutting on Spanish New Orleans, a key trading port). James Madison, a close ally of Jefferson who served as his Secretary of State, though a rather shy man in social situations, is a very astute thinker, and as the novel bears out, proves to be a rather skillful diplomat in dealing with both Britain and Napoleon. Indeed, when the Spanish ceded the vast Louisiana Territory (inclusive of New Orleans) back to France, it is at first uncertain if U.S. westward expansion (which Jefferson and Madison regarded as key to their desire to see America become a continental power) would be checked by Napoleon.

It was really fascinating to learn from this novel how fragile the position of the U.S. was between 1798 and 1804 and how the competing philosophies of both political parties threatened to pull it apart. I also enjoyed the sketches Nevin provided of Washington (a city barely removed from the wilderness) and a rather plain, threadbare White House. Everything was so new and fresh. James Madison and his wife Dolley (who organized White House dinners for President Jefferson) come across as one of the nation's first power couples. Their relationship is loving, strong, and based on a deep respect each held for the other.

On the surface, Thomas Jefferson is the reluctant leader who dislikes external politicking and eschews the formal trappings of office, yet shows a sure, subtle hand for exerting his presidential authority, leaving it to his subordinates to keep tabs on the Federalist opposition. Secondary characters such as James Wilkinson (a rather sleazy character who was commanding general of the Army and --- it was rumored --- a spy for Spain), Aaron Burr, Andrew Jackson and Meriwether Lewis occupy key places in the novel.

With "Eagle's Cry", Nevin makes history compelling. Once the reader has reached the last page, he/she will be curious to know what happens next.

[David Kenison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed how little this novel actually dealt with the Louisiana Purchase. The book starts in 1799 with the death of George Washington and continues to early 1804. I did gain some insight into some historical issues: the transition from the original Federalist party of Washington and Adams, to the Democrat party victory led by Jefferson and Burr; the tense election of 1800 which Jefferson barely won; the evens that led to a contitutional amendment governing the choice of vice president; Aaron Burr's treason and treachery; the skepticism about Jefferson's ties to France; the tension between French and Spanish occupations in the North American territories; Meriwether Lewis's background that led to his role in exploring the country; and finally, the Louisiana Purchase and its impact.

However, the format of the book as a novel really dragged for me in too many places. I got impatient for the story to move along; I wanted more history and less fiction, more real events and less invented conversation.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down and couldn't wait to be able to pick it up and get immersed in the story again. This is a fascinating time in history, full of some truly great people and a lot of amazing things were happening and I think all of that was portrayed nicely in this book.

[Maurita Kling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book turned out to be better than I thought although it still seemed a bit disjointed. I guess that is because the Author covered such a large & important Era leading up to the Survival of Democracy against both France & Britain.
The Author admitted in the Afterword that Politics "back then' in the early days of US existence was ' confusing. I tried taking notes as to who was on which side but then that seemed to change depending on the individuals involved & where they came from.
It was surprising to find out how the Federalists supported a government controlled by the Upper Classes who 'knew how' to rule including John Adams & other New Englanders who held the infamous Tea Party & fired 'the shot heard 'round the world'.. And it was also shocking to read about some of the underhanded dealings & subterfuge already alive in a country who had fought so hard for so long to make 'All Men created equal'!

I especially enjoyed the section on Jackson whom I had been kind of prejudiced against as being a volatile ruffian & Indian hater. He was all of these but he also loved his wife enough to endure years of snubs from his peers. And he was honest. He didn't try to shirk on his taxes or cheat people- he sold his house 'Hunters Hill' to pay what he owed & then started over.
And of course Dolley was a very likable character as well. The First Lady Diplomat in fact!
If you are as curious as I was about this Period in the history of the US I'm sure you will enjoy reading this book- even If the Politics are confusing- as they probably always will be!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this a few years ago and really enjooyed it. I found it in a used book store and am reading it again. It is one of my favorite historical novels, with Washington, Adams, Jefferson, J Q Adams, Jim and Dolley Madison, and Aaron Burr. I really enjoyed it and learned mote history at the samw time. It is probably the best book that I have read this year.

[Toby Michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall well-written and surely took a lot of research. One thing that bothered me was the way the names were all abbreviated, Thomas Jefferson is Tom, James Madison is Jimmy, Alexander Hamilton is Alex. Since it's a historical novel, saying Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton would've pulled me in more. Using those first names... I dunno. It felt out of place to me.

[Michael Dutchak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction during Jefferson presidency - Democrats vs Federalists, Burr vs jefferson, countyr's fear of democrats, and French revolution influence, Louisiana Purchase, James Madison - Very informative but slow read

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book held my attention throughout and led me to read historical accounts of the American Revolution, including Founding Brothers, John Adams (McCullough)

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this writer. But with this book I thought he tried to cover too many characters. It got a little tiresome.

[Star Merrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it was chock full of information that I lacked, it was a little slow in places, and sometimes repetitious. On a good note, the chapters highlighting Andrew Jackson were riveting. I wish they would make movies out of this series instead of the pap from the so-called History Channel.
History repeats itself, and boy, I could draw many parallels to what was going on here.

[Paula Hewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned some history amongst the fiction.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago when I took my son on the train up through Mississippi River country, hoping to be able to enhance his awareness of the history of the region: French exploration and settlement, Louisiana Purchase, etc. Even though Nevin is an amazing writer, I never finished reading the book. I've just picked it up again recently because am teaching the Westward Expansion in school. I'm glad to have a reminder of what a master Nevin is, not only in his grasp of historical facts, but his ability to write so as to engage the reader in the tasty nuances of the thoughts, personalities, and everyday events of his characters. I highly recommend Nevin as an author of historical fiction of this period (1800 - 1860).

[James Lurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good historical novel. Starts with the death of Washington and moves through the consummation of the LA purchase itself, but does not cover the actual Lewis and Clark expedition. Excellent blending of historical characters with fictional, so much so that I had to hop onto Wikipedia several times to see if the folks were real (note - there is disclosure at the end, but I deliberately did not use it until finishing.

I would like to read the subsequent book. Unfortunately, libraries do not seem to have copies of Nevin's work either in e-book or hard copy. Only audio books, which don't appeal to me.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent historical novel addressing the time period spanning the tied election of Jefferson and Burr to succeed John Adams through the consummation of the Louisiana Purchase. The author develops all of the major characters of this period, particularly focusing on James and Dolly Madison. This is the timeframe of the birth of the two-party system and the country struggles to maintain the form of democracy created by the victory in the Revolutionary War and the subsequent adoption of the Constitution.

[Nancy Brumback · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those who have commented on how this is history told through the lives of ordinary people are right, though there is a lot on the stars of early American history, Washington, john and Abigail Adams, etc. I particularly enjoyed the pages dealing with the Battle of New Orleans. It was amazing how the author was able to handle all the different aspects, the terrain, the waters, the fortifications, the cultural impacts, the neighbors, etc., and fit them all together. An excellent read for anyone even vaguely interested in early American history. I learned a lot.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

A novel of American History, starting with George Washington's death, Thomas Jefferson's presidency, through the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark starting their journey. This was a slow read for me.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The early years of America as told by various players--Washington, Madison, Jackson. The reader is definitely NOT my favorite, and the story is a bit bedraggled, but I'm revisiting a lot of history, and learning.

[Daryl Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book about Jefferson buying Louisiana from the French. It also covered the start of Louis and Clark. Found the reasons for the French selling Louisiana very interesting. Very enjoyable reading.

[Ian Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting points of view and a great read for those who aren't super interested in history. History told through the lenses of real life.

[Charlotte Friel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really wonderful review of early American history. Although the general outline is what we all learned in our history classes the additional details are amazing. A most enjoyable read.

[Whit]

Loved it! Great read and I think I learned a little history!

[Denise Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

PBB

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel of The Louisiana Purchase