"The Emperor's American by McGrath" Topic

Just finished reading Art McGraths historical fiction -- "THE EMPEROR'S AMERICAN" and "MARCH TO DESTRUCTION"

This post almost goes along with another post I was commenting on concerning what is considered "quality" and what is considered "rubbish?"

The story line of the book covers a young American washed ashore on the coast of France after a lopsided naval battle with a Britush ship who quickly becomes an aid De camp to Marshal Ney in the French army, rubs elbows with Napoleon and anybody who was somebody, become an accomplished duelist, is put in charge of sensitive operations, is invited to Napoleon's coronation, etc. all in a few short months -- ????

The books comes with some pretty big layout and spelling flaws.
The premise of the books borders on the ridiculous
The scenarios are -- at best completely implausible
Demonstrates a wargamers knowledge of the Napoleonic period
Extremely repetitious
About a 6th or 7th grade level of reading

Although I could not call either book exactly riveting --Yet--for some reason I must say I did truly enjoy these books, despite the flaws.

Perhaps because I did appreciate the efforts of the author to go the trouble to write a historically correct account set during the Napoleonic wars -- it might also be because it was written at a 6th grade level ?????
Either way, even with the flaws I highly recommend these two books. Very enjoyable reads!!

Regards
Russ Dunaway

Sounds like fiction to me… :)

Not a pseudonym of Bernard Cornwell's is it? Sounds just like a plot for a Sharpe novel.

Purchased the books on Amazon. Good reads

The author is a former Marine and no relation to Cornwell in any way. There are two others in this series, but I have no idea when they might be released.

When they are released I will certainly read both.

If anyone is interested, here's the link to my review of the second book in the series:

link

Isn't a requirement of historical fiction that the fictional hero comes into contact with everyone and everything important?
It's like saying this book about trains have way to much trains in them.

Shape has met Wellington about a dozen times, most British generals and politicians the prince of Wales, and probably emperor of the moon.

The difference between sharpe and baron Munchhousen is only cannon ball riding.

I personally isn't a fan of that type of historical fiction but them I also find the other type (like Aubrie & Martuin) dry and boring. Which is why I keep my fiction separate from my history.

If I want fiction I have hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy, which is only slightly more preposterous than Sharpe, if I want history I have hundreds of books to choose from.

Clearly you haven't read good, solid HF, where that trope of meeting everyone famous, much as Forrest Gump did, is never present.

Unfortunately, the majority of HF set during the NapWars is either utterly Brit-centric "Boy's Own" or just bad.

At the risk of sounding immodest, Bob Burnham over at The Napoleon Series said of my novel, Lieutenant and Mrs. Lockwood: "Even though it is a fictional account, it is the best description I have ever read of what it must have been like in one of those battered British squares at Waterloo."
The full review is on TNS, and the book, until its re-issued title of Lt. James Lockwood at Waterloo, is on Amazon. The sequel, The Lockwoods of Clonakilty is also available, and the third title, Captain and Mrs. Lockwood, will be out soon.
All this self-promotion is quite exhausting. Time for a wee drink, gentlemen?

Best regards….Mark Bois

Doesn't Penmore do any publicity for you, or are there limits to its participation after publication?

What about Indie Brag, or HNS, or the English History Writers group? All of these are on Facebook, they are very active, and great about recommendations.

You need reviews. This is a good book, which is saying a great deal from a Francophile who loathes Waterloo.

When did you graduate from UNC?

Hi Maggie; Penmore is great to work with, but as a small house they leave most of the PR work to the authors. Sadly my genius does not lie in marketing, (I'm not sure exactly where it lies, but the day is still young) so there is still a lot I should do. I'll follow up on your suggestions, thanks!
I did my BA at Kansas '81, then my MA at Louisville '06 under Dr. Lee. Shortly after that Lee went to UNC, where he is quite the darling of academic military history. He is a really good guy as well.
The novels are based on my MA work, so hopefully no one will find fault with the history. No bodices are ripped, no bosoms heave, no worlds are save single-handedly.
Take care…..Mark