Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
New York : Del Rey/Ballantine Books, 2005.
Description
Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:Eric Flint's acclaimed 1634: The Galileo Affair was a national bestseller from one of the most talked-about voices in his field. Now, in this extraordinary new alternate history, Flint begins a dramatic saga of the North American continent at a dire turning point, forging its identity and its future in the face of revolt from within, and attack from without. In the War of 1812, U.S. troops are battling the British on the Canadian border, even as a fierce fight is being waged against the Creek followers of the Indian leader Tecumseh and his brother, known as The Prophet. In Europe, Napoleon Bonaparte's war has become a losing proposition, and the British are only months away from unleashing a frightening assault on Washington itself. Fateful choices are being made in the corridors of power and on the American frontier. As Andrew Jackson, backed by Cherokee warriors, leads a fierce attack on the Creek tribes, his young republic will soon need every citizen soldier it can find. What if�??at this critical moment�??bonds were forged between men of different races and tribes? What if the Cherokee clans were able to muster an integrated front, and the U.S. government faced a united Indian nation bolstered by escaping slaves, freed men of color, and even influential white allies? Through the remarkable adventures of men who were really there�??men of mixed race, mixed emotions, and a singular purpose�??The Rivers of War carries us in this new direction, brilliantly transforming an extraordinary chapter of American history. With a cast of unforgettable characters�??from James Monroe and James Madison to Sam Houston, Francis Scott Key, and Cherokee chiefs John Ross and Major Ridge�??The Rivers of War travels from the battle of Horseshoe Bend to the battle of New Orleans, and brings every explosive moment to life. With exquisite attention to detail, an extraordinary grasp of history, and a storyteller's gift for the dramatic, Flint delivers a bold, thought-provoking epic of enemies and allies, traitors and revolutionaries, and illuminates who we are as a nation, how we got here, and how history itself is… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member daschaich
Flint's first foray into 'pure' alternate history: Eric Flint's latest work of alternate history is also his first "pure" one, the first volume in a two-book set Flint calls "the Trail of Glory". Unlike his 1632 books or the Belisarius series he wrote with David Drake, there is no time travelling
The slip from real history to alternate history occurs when young officer (and adopted Cherokee) Sam Houston slips at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River, turning what was in reality a near-fatal injury into a relatively minor flesh would. Instead of being incapacitated for a year, Houston is well enough to travel up the Tennessee River to Washington D.C.. He heads to the Capital on the Potomac both to receive a promotion and pursue his dream of negotiating some sort of tolerable arrangement for his adopted Cherokee nation. Convinced that the expansion of the United States onto Cherokee land cannot be stopped, Houston hopes to convince the Cherokee that their best option is a "Trojan retreat" across the Mississippi that will leave them unbroken as a nation. But in order to do that, he will need both the Federal Government's support (and money) and the trust of the Cherokee chiefs.
No sooner have Houston and his Cherokee companions arrived in Washington when they find themselves under attack by a small British raiding party. Teaming up with Sergeant Patrick "The Troll" Driscol, wounded in a battle on the Niagara River in the north, Houston helps organize a last-stand defense of the Capitol that turns him into a hero and forces the British to reconsider their battle plans for their assault on New Orleans. Houston, Driscol, and their companions hurry to the Mississippi River, where the final battle of the War of 1812 will be fought, and the fate of the American and Cherokee nations determined.
What is truly remarkable about "The Rivers of War" is the number of authentic historical figures Flint has managed to use as characters in his story. Although the personalities of some of the historical figures have been at least partially invented by Flint (who claims to have followed the historical record as closely as possible), there is only one entirely fictional major character, freedman teamster Henry Crowell. All the characters are believable, and much more realistic and multidimensional than is typical for alternate history books. Sergeant Driscol may become uncharacteristically eloquent when discussing class struggle, but that's nothing more than a very minor irritation.
From the Tallapoosa, Tennessee and Niagara to the Potomac and Mississippi, "The Rivers of War" is a great read, chock full of historical details that are very carefully researched, from all I can tell. While some might be annoyed by the wealth of detail, I'm as interested in actual history as I am in alternate history, and all the details simply helped make the story more interesting for me. I enjoyed "The Rivers of War" more than any other alternate history book I've read recently, and am looking forward to its sequel, the conclusion to the "Trail of Glory".
I recommend "The Rivers of War" wholeheartedly. For those who still aren't sure if the book is for them, I should mention that Eric Flint has once again provided extensive snippets (amounting to the whole first two-thirds of the book!) that can be read free on his "Trail of Glory" Web site. I encourage you to check it out.
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or sentient crystal from the far future in "The Rivers of War". Instead, this alternate history of the War of 1812 and the early-nineteenth century expansion of America begins with only one small and thoroughly plausible point of departure from real history. However, the effects of this small change quickly multiply and spread in a reasonably convincing manner, in the best alternate history tradition.The slip from real history to alternate history occurs when young officer (and adopted Cherokee) Sam Houston slips at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River, turning what was in reality a near-fatal injury into a relatively minor flesh would. Instead of being incapacitated for a year, Houston is well enough to travel up the Tennessee River to Washington D.C.. He heads to the Capital on the Potomac both to receive a promotion and pursue his dream of negotiating some sort of tolerable arrangement for his adopted Cherokee nation. Convinced that the expansion of the United States onto Cherokee land cannot be stopped, Houston hopes to convince the Cherokee that their best option is a "Trojan retreat" across the Mississippi that will leave them unbroken as a nation. But in order to do that, he will need both the Federal Government's support (and money) and the trust of the Cherokee chiefs.
No sooner have Houston and his Cherokee companions arrived in Washington when they find themselves under attack by a small British raiding party. Teaming up with Sergeant Patrick "The Troll" Driscol, wounded in a battle on the Niagara River in the north, Houston helps organize a last-stand defense of the Capitol that turns him into a hero and forces the British to reconsider their battle plans for their assault on New Orleans. Houston, Driscol, and their companions hurry to the Mississippi River, where the final battle of the War of 1812 will be fought, and the fate of the American and Cherokee nations determined.
What is truly remarkable about "The Rivers of War" is the number of authentic historical figures Flint has managed to use as characters in his story. Although the personalities of some of the historical figures have been at least partially invented by Flint (who claims to have followed the historical record as closely as possible), there is only one entirely fictional major character, freedman teamster Henry Crowell. All the characters are believable, and much more realistic and multidimensional than is typical for alternate history books. Sergeant Driscol may become uncharacteristically eloquent when discussing class struggle, but that's nothing more than a very minor irritation.
From the Tallapoosa, Tennessee and Niagara to the Potomac and Mississippi, "The Rivers of War" is a great read, chock full of historical details that are very carefully researched, from all I can tell. While some might be annoyed by the wealth of detail, I'm as interested in actual history as I am in alternate history, and all the details simply helped make the story more interesting for me. I enjoyed "The Rivers of War" more than any other alternate history book I've read recently, and am looking forward to its sequel, the conclusion to the "Trail of Glory".
I recommend "The Rivers of War" wholeheartedly. For those who still aren't sure if the book is for them, I should mention that Eric Flint has once again provided extensive snippets (amounting to the whole first two-thirds of the book!) that can be read free on his "Trail of Glory" Web site. I encourage you to check it out.
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LibraryThing member Highlander99
This was my first Eric Flint novel. I enjoy alternative history immensely when it s clever and thought provoking. While Flint's action scenes are well crafted, his character development is stilted and contrived and his plot line poorly crafted. His attempt at an inner look into the Cherokee nation
I would not recommend this book. one would be better off reading an actual biography of Sam Houston or DG Graves excellent series of books on the War of 1812.
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is insipid at best and his alternative biography of Sam Houston (ie. placing him at battles in which he was not present)weak. Part of the problem I feel was Flint's inability to decide who his main protagonist should be, Driscoll or Houston.I would not recommend this book. one would be better off reading an actual biography of Sam Houston or DG Graves excellent series of books on the War of 1812.
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LibraryThing member imota
The book "1812: The Rivers of War" by Eric Flint is too long, with lots of repetitions, predictable characters and events. Its plot is weak (almost nonexistent), there is no suspense - we know in advance that invincible Americans would beat the crap out of British (Hooo! Hooray). However, Eric
This is an alternate history where the main protagonists of the book - Patric Driscoll, Captain Sam Houston, General Jackson, Tiana Rogers (a sixteen-year-old Cherokee woman) all look the same - strong, ferocious, decisive, and most importantly - patriotic and true Americans.
"1812: The Rivers of War" is glorification of the war. We see either battles or preparations for battles , careful description of weapons, soldiers and military tactics. Although the book indicates in its title the year 1812, the military campaigns against British forces go beyond 1812.
Eric Flint, historian himself, made impossible - possible. He united in his novel diverse social/racial groups (whites, blacks, and Indians), all fighting for America. In fact, it was British and Indian alliance in Canada which defeated American invading forces (the Battle of Stoney Creek in 1812). Also, in the following military campaigns, the British burned the American capital (including the White House), contrary to the events described in the book.
In short, the book would be more valuable if the historical events were presented as they happened.
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Flint is a master teller when it comes to depicting fighting scenes and some dramatic actions such as the deadly pistol duel between the Tennessee General Charles Dickinson and General Andrew Jackson in the opening pages of the book. Another memorable scene of the book is the mock execution of an American army deserter (Anthony McParland) by Patric Driscoll, a ferocious Scot-Irish, former warrior in Napoleon army and now a US Army Sergeant ( Part 2 - Chapter 11).This is an alternate history where the main protagonists of the book - Patric Driscoll, Captain Sam Houston, General Jackson, Tiana Rogers (a sixteen-year-old Cherokee woman) all look the same - strong, ferocious, decisive, and most importantly - patriotic and true Americans.
"1812: The Rivers of War" is glorification of the war. We see either battles or preparations for battles , careful description of weapons, soldiers and military tactics. Although the book indicates in its title the year 1812, the military campaigns against British forces go beyond 1812.
Eric Flint, historian himself, made impossible - possible. He united in his novel diverse social/racial groups (whites, blacks, and Indians), all fighting for America. In fact, it was British and Indian alliance in Canada which defeated American invading forces (the Battle of Stoney Creek in 1812). Also, in the following military campaigns, the British burned the American capital (including the White House), contrary to the events described in the book.
In short, the book would be more valuable if the historical events were presented as they happened.
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LibraryThing member ClytieS
We're told history follows patterns. People also say "Go with the flow". Where will this take you in the 19th century? Keep paddling. (And grab this title in ebook from the Baen Free Library.)
LibraryThing member Hamburgerclan
I actually purchased this as waiting room material, as I had to kill time while out shopping. But it really is a book worth checking out. Mr. Flint spins a tale where Sam Houston does not suffer an incapacitating injury during the War of 1812 and is instead around to help bring together a groups of
The book didn't grab my interest at first--much like that era in American history. But the story slowly grew on me as the characters and plot developed. As one might expect, the story has a military bent, with a lot of battle scenes. Come to think of it, that's probably why it was a slow starter for me, as the story comes out fighting, so to speak.
--J.
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freedmen and Cherokee warriors to fight in the battle of New Orleans in 1814. The relationships built during the course of these events set the foundation for the planting of a Cherokee nation that avoids the Trail of Tears scenario that exists in our history. But for that bit we'll have to get the sequel.The book didn't grab my interest at first--much like that era in American history. But the story slowly grew on me as the characters and plot developed. As one might expect, the story has a military bent, with a lot of battle scenes. Come to think of it, that's probably why it was a slow starter for me, as the story comes out fighting, so to speak.
--J.
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LibraryThing member pandr65
A fun and interesting read from Eric Flint (author of the 1632 series). This is not science fiction or fantasy, but alternate history—the author chooses a "breaking point", where something different happens, and postulates what happens from there. This beginning entry in the series is mostly the
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actual events of 1812, and there were quite a few historical surprises for me, as I have neglected the period as a "nothing war" without considering what England was attempting to accomplish. Eric has done his research well, as expected (he graduated with a History Degree). His alternate path is stunning, and I wish he had developed it further than two books before he died. The one minor historical fault for me is that there is no mention of the Lewis & Clarke Expedition of 1804-1806, which should have some impact on the series (note that I haven't read the second book yet). Show Less
Original publication date
2005
ISBN
0345465679 / 9780345465672
Local notes
Trail of Glory, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Flint |