Customer Reviews

Santiago Rag

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4 star:		(1)
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Al Gowan's novel - Santiago Rag - starts on June 1897, an year preceding the beginning of the Spanish-Cuban-American war.

The reader is introduced to this historical period through the knotty relationship of the fictional characters who build and sustain a continuous action of the Romantic period of American history.

In a very visual and vivid narrative Gowan presents and brings fictional characters into life in interactions with historical characters.

The makings of the war, personal interests, strategies are depicted in front of our eyes. Battlefield narratives contain the rhythm of a real battle and transport the reader into the action. The narrative's dynamic rhythm suggests the possibility of a screenplay.

A reading that helps to better understand the period of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders.

This novel drove me to read his earlier "Zamora`s Tattoo" and his short stories in "Fort Momma" which, published in Portuguese, have been receiving attention in Brazil.

History buffs and everyday readers alike will find Santiago Rag an engrossing novel profiling the men who fought in Cuba and at the battle of San Juan Hill. Al Gowan uses information passed down from his grandfather and written accounts of participants to weave a compelling story of the hardships in those days and the battle against the enemy and disease. Included are photographs he took recently in Cuba of locations described in the book. As we celebrate the anniversary of the Spanish-American War, Santiago Rag is a great way to experience what those times were like. Jim Armstrong, Publisher and Editor, MILITARY RETIREE NEWS, Tampa, Florida

It was a great pleasure for me to read this book. Al Gowan seems to be a real military expert when depicting the historical background for the actions of his heros. I was very surprised to find how media conscious Theodore Roosevelt was in this first American blitzkrieg, a very American quality even today. I also liked the writing style of this book which reminds me of a screen play - short, fast paced expositions of characters and locations. All in all, "Santiago Rag" is an expert mixture of famous people and more-or-less ordinary people during the Spanish-American War, showing also the race issue as it was in 1898 and how it might compare today.

"A magnificent novel, the product of painstaking historical research. Al Gowan has constructed his story of the Spanish-Cuban-American War so that the personality and actions of each character pulls us along to the surprising outcome. The exuberant Theodore Roosevelt is impeccably rendered. But more important, Gowan brings to light the valor, pride and patriotism of the Cuban mambi." -Jose A. Adan, Academia de la Historia de Cuba E-

"I could hardly put SANTIAGO RAG down. This must-read novel will lead to an understanding of America's emergence as a world power in a way that a hundred histories have failed to do. Gowan hides neither the blemishes not the bravery of his characters. SANTIAGO RAG is quite an achievement." -Larry Daley, great grandson of Cuban General Calixto Garcia

Just to say I'm enjoying SANTIAGO RAG. The pacing is dynamic, the vignettes vivid the descriptions meaty. I like this p. 39, "The Indian's eyes flashed, anger Gabriel had not yet seen. He tood the daguerreotype and replaced it in the pouch. An ember from the dying fire exploded

I enjoyed Santiago Rag. As a European I had little knowledge of the American-Cuban-Spanish war and found this story an interesting blend of fiction and fact. Based around the experiences of a young male, we are taken on a series of adventures into the formation and action fighting of Roosevelt's Rough Riders (I had heard about them previously!). As seen mostly through the eyes of our naïve hero we experience the shock and horror of war. But we also have the insights into the broader political issues as might have been contemplated by Teddy Roosevelt. I know purists who don't accept fiction mixed with the facts, but they miss the point of this kind of thoroughly researched story-documentary. Authors like Al Gowan are able to enrich the facts and put the flesh on the bones of historical events. It may not be exactly what happened but an author's insights and imaginative narratives can increase our understanding of history. Set against his personally observed localities, the author creates a fast moving story and an atmosphere that is convincing.

This was an enjoyable read dispite some inaccuracies until i reached the Epilogue. The errors here cast doubt on the entire book. He has the book's hero composing the "Santiago Rag" for Roosevelt's 1906 inagural ball. Roosevelt was elected in 1904 and his ball held in 1905. The hero is discharged from Camp Wickoff instead of Camp Wikoff. Since Wickoff appears more than once, it does not appear to be a typo. In successive sentences he has Roosevelt becoming President in 1901 and "reelected" in 1906. Roosevelt was ELECTED (not reelected) President in 1904. When did the President's term become 5 years? Wood did not go to the Philippines until 1903 when the rebellion had already been put down. These are errors that are obvious and detract from the book.