Fans of Patrick O’Brian and C. S. Forrester will delight in this historical novel, the first in a series, based on the actual experiences of an American clergyman in Falmouth, Maine in the tumultuous year 1775. The gathering storm of the American Revolution is seen through the eyes of a man who gradually finds himself holding sympathies more loyal to the crown than many of his associates and neighbors. Eventually forced by angry mobs from his church and home, the Rev’d Thomas Langdon flees for his life aboard a British warship. Appointed chaplain to several ships, he ultimately finds himself secretary to the British admiral in Boston, where he witnesses the growing unrest, takes part in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and gradually sees hopes for a peaceful settlement fade. Historical events are portrayed with accuracy, brought to life with drama and emotion in the best traditions of historical fiction. Many primary documents are incorporated into conversations, journals, and other elements of the novel, lending authenticity and immediacy to the heated debates of the day. Vivid depictions of life aboard an 18th century man-of-war place this work solidly within the category of maritime novels; yet the portrayal of a people increasingly divided between rebellion and loyalty, between insurrection and the rule of law, between violence and compromise, make this a timely reflection on issues of conflict currently facing our nation and world. The saying is that history is written by the victors. This is quite true of the American Revolution, where every American school child learns -- every movie or documentary presents, and every museum offers -- a narrative of the events only from the American perspective. Due to this overwhelming one-sidedness, the rectitude of the "Patriots" is assumed, their faults overlooked or excused, and the villainy of Loyalists and the British loudly proclaimed. But every conflict between human beings always contains contrary points of view, where well-meaning participants see things from a different perspective -- before the viewpoint of the victor is allowed to expunge those of the vanquished. This novel presents the coming of the American Revolution through the eyes of an actual Loyalist, an Anglican clergyman in  Falmouth (now Portland) Maine. The experiences of this historical personage form the inspiration for the fictional character in the first half of the book. Thus, the gradual crystallization of his attitude toward the growing conflict meets with disapprobation by his community, and he is persecuted and pursued from his church and home by an increasingly violent mob of so-called "Patriots" who will brook no debate, and tolerate no viewpoints other than their own. The clergyman flees for his life aboard a British warship in the harbor, just as the historical model for this character did, at which point the expeirences of the fictional character diverge from those of the historical. But the meticulously researched historicity of the novel remains true throughout. The fictional character goes on to become the secretary and chaplain to the British admiral at Boston, where he witnesses the growing conflict, including a detailed and authentic description of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and sees hope for a peaceful resolution fade. The nautical setting and focus of the second half of the novel places it very comfortably within the realm of maritime historical fiction, so readers of Patrick O'Brian (Aubrey/Maturin), C. S. Forrester (Hornblower), Alexander Kent (Bolitho), Dudley Pope (Ramage), and many others, will find this book very much to their liking.