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Shadow Patriots: A Novel of the Revolution [Hardcover]

Lucia St. Clair Robson (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)


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Book Description

April 28, 2005
In July of 1776, the American colonies are ablaze with passion. In the streets, those who would be free boldly read aloud the newly written Declaration of Independence. It is a cry of freedom, but it is also a time of critical confrontation, both on the battlefield and off as the people of a new nation choose between their king and an uncertain future.

It is a choice which is not easily made. As Commander-in-chief George Washington declares a major victory in New York, the rest of the colonies separate into Patriots and Tories. Kate Darby never expected to be swept up in this political storm. The Darbys are Quakers who have pledged their allegiance to God first--but that soon changes. Kate's younger brother, Seth, can no longer deny his soul's cry against tyranny. Fleeing from his Loyalist parents' house to join General Washington's ragtag forces, Seth enters a life he never expected.
With the influx of British soldiers, Philadelphia soon becomes a temporary base camp for the English forces. When the Darbys find themselves forced to take in Major Jonathan Andre, Kate falls quickly for his charm.

Despite her warring affections, Kate finds herself drawn deep into the war. As she attempts to follow her brother, she risks her life and her family's reputation by becoming a spy for the patriot forces, a role which quickly transforms the once-timid Quaker girl. With a world of danger and political upheaval thrown before them, Kate and Seth face incredible danger in the hopes of shaping one of the single most important events in American history: the war for freedom.

Told with historical accuracy and incredible attention to period detail, Shadow Patriots recreates America at its youngest and describes with vivid intensity the men and women who bravely did their part to deliver it from tyranny.



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Editorial Reviews

Review

"There are so many ways to love this book: for its rollicking view of the American revolution, for the intrigue of spies in petticoats, for the lure of the period, or for Robson's spicy humor. Shadow Patriots is historical fiction that lets you smell the corn cakes in the oven as the muskets are loaded."--Marlin Fitzwater, Press Secretary to Presidents Reagan and Bush and bestselling author of Call the Briefing and Esther's Pillow on Shadow Patriots

"Shadow Patriots takes the reader into a little explored side of the American Revolution: how women felt about it and what they did as the war tore thier lives apart. Lucia S. Clair-Robson has written a superb book that may break up your heart in places but will give you a new understanding of the struggle that created out nation."--Thomas Fleming, bestselling author of Dreams of Glory on Shadow Patriots

"When an outstanding storyteller is also a careful and thorough researcher of history, the result is historical fiction of a high order. Robson has thoroughly immersed herself in Revolutionary America in order to present us with a picture as vivid as today's news. Filled with fascinating detail, the book offers a panoramic picture of America on the brink of freedom."--Morgan Llywelyn on Shadow Patriots

"In Ghost Warrior, Lucia St. Clair Robson has crafted a vivid and very entertaining picture of Apache life during the years of fierce fighting in New Mexico . . . Lozen is a powerful character whom readers won't soon forget."-Larry McMurtry, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Lonesome Dove on Ghost Warrior

"Phosphorescently magnificent . . . A great main character, immense moral tragedy, all sung with full lungs."---Kirkus Reviews on Ghost Warrior






About the Author

Lucia St. Clair Robson was born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in South Florida. She has been a Peace Corps volunteer in Venezuela and a teacher in Brooklyn, New York. She has also lived in Japan, South Carolina and southern Arizona. After earning her master's degree in Library Science at Florida State University, she worked as a public librarian in Annapolis, Maryland. She lives near Annapolis in a wooded community on the Severn River. The Western Writers of America awarded her first book, Ride the Wind, the Golden Spur for best historical western of 1982 and it also made the New York Times Best Seller List.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Forge Books (April 28, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 076530550X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0765305503
  • Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,201,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Along with my library degree I learned one of life's great truths: you don't have to know all the answers, you just have to know where to find them. As a public librarian in Maryland I gave book-related programs in the local schools. While gathering material for the talks, I ran across the story of Cynthia Ann Parker's life with the Comanches. I told the kids that this was a more fascinating story than anyone could make up.

Shortly after that I went to a science fiction convention and met Brian Daley, author of the Han Solo books. I mentioned Cynthia Ann's story to Brian and his editor who referred me to Pamela Strickler of Ballantine Books. She advised me to, "Write the best story you can, from the heart, to please yourself." In 1982, Ballantine published Ride the Wind, which made the New York Times best sellers list. It also won the Western Writers of America's Spur Award for Best Historical Novel of the year. Now in its 27th printing, WIND was included in the top 100 westerns of the 20th century, and has garnered more than 100 5-star reviews in Amazon.

I've written eight other historical novels that feature people and times seldom mentioned in history texts. I got a kick out of Kirkus Reviews' take on my characters, "...Robson's phosphorescently magnificent gallery of forgotten women whom she's dug up God knows where."

In order of their appearance, the titles are: RIDE THE WIND, WALK IN MY SOUL, LIGHT A DISTANT FIRE, TOKAIDO ROAD, MARY'S LAND, FEARLESS, GHOST WARRIOR, SHADOW PATRIOTS, and LAST TRAIN FROM CUERNAVACA. In June of 2011 Western Writers of America awarded LAST TRAIN FROM CUERNAVACA their Spur award for best long novel of 2010.

A historical novelist must do more than list which generals fought where and when. She tries to re-create the society in which people lived, and she has to make it so vivid that readers can feel as though they're living there too.

I no longer collect a paycheck as a librarian, but my library training helps me find out what people wore, what jokes they told, how they insulted each other, what they ate, how they amused themselves, what diseases laid them low and how they tried to cure them.

As a writer of historical fiction, it's my job to create a plausible reality in a time long gone. A descendant of one of my characters once asked me where I got the stories I told in my book about her family. I told her I had either read them or made them up. She said I couldn't have because those were stories only the family knew. I blamed it on coincidence, but sometimes I do believe that novelists can "predict" the past.

I worry about being mis-marketed as a romance writer. I wonder if those who want happily-ever-after stories will be put off by the grit and gore in mine. I fear that readers who're looking for historical fiction won't pick the books up. Love is a vital part of every period of history and I always include it in my stories. However, it is not the focus.

When I became a librarian in 1975 I could not have imagined I would write even one npovel, much less nine. The internet did not exist then, so I could not have known that one day people from all over the world would get in touch with me. My job is to re-create how other people lived, and yet I could not have imagined the way my own life would unfold. I find it hard to believe that the three following quotes are about my words.

Historian and novelist thomas Fleming wrote about Last Train from Cuernavaca: "A gripping story that takes us deep into the tumultuous years of Mexican history. We need more books like this."

"Shadow Patriots, a Novel of the Revolution" -- From Kirkus Reviews "Few novelists working now have a better grasp of early American history than Robson ...Wholly believable, confidently realized, attention-holding historical fiction."

In 2011 True West Magazine named me Best Living Fiction Writer- "With her greatest achievement to date, 2010's Last Train from Cuernavaca... Lucia St. Clair Robson once again proves a master in prose, descriuption, character development and authenticity via her diligent research. Look for more from this powerful writer."






 

Customer Reviews

21 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Historical Read That You Won't Want To Miss!!!, May 5, 2005
This review is from: Shadow Patriots: A Novel of the Revolution (Hardcover)
One word comes to mind when I think back over this read and that is VIVID!! Ms. St. Clair Robson has vividly brought to life the time period of the American Revolution as well as the real-life figures that played key roles during this conflict.

This is the story of the mysterious lady spy known as 355. Not much is known about this courageous lady but the author has penned a story that seems all too possible and real. As a result fans of historical fiction will find themselves transported back in time to when our fledgling country was taking a stand and traitors to this cause. A young woman by the name of Kate works hard to keep the Continental Army safe by passing information. The reader will become totally invested with her character and as a result step back in time with her. She finds not only friends but love on her journey but when her activity is found out what will happen to her? Will she be hung as a spy and will she ever see Rob her love again?

This story totally captivated the reader and I can honestly say that I had a hard time putting the book down. I cheered and cried, throughout this whole story. I highly recommend this read if you are a fan of well-done historic fiction. Trust me you won't be let down.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A true, thrilling, treasure, May 18, 2005
This review is from: Shadow Patriots: A Novel of the Revolution (Hardcover)
The American Revolution is one of my special interests. I have probably read a thousand books over the past fifty years, both fiction and nonfiction, about it. This novel is the equal of Kenneth Roberts' great work Oliver Wiswell--another spy story now that I think of it. I expected it to be good, Ms. Robson's previous books are all special, but I did not expect anyone to ever approach the great Kenneth Roberts' heights.

Ms. Robson's characters are always fully formed and believable, her descriptions and situations historically accurate, and her stories compelling. I did not think she could ever top Sarah Bowman in Fearless, but she has. And I did not see one line in this book which was historically inaccurate. A true, thrilling, treasure!
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars History Comes Alive, June 5, 2005
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This review is from: Shadow Patriots: A Novel of the Revolution (Hardcover)
Shadow Patriots is another one of Lucia St. Clair Robson's treasures that you can't put down until you've finished it - then you hate yourself for reading it so quickly as you wanted it to last - and last - and last. Lucia has a wonderful way of making the cardboard figures of history come alive and show you the way it actually was in those days.

She tapped into a little known area of the Revolutionary War and not only brought the everyday people to life but she also has the talent and ability to make our well known figures human. She places them in their time and world - taking them out of the dry stuff of history lessons.

As usual, now I can hardly wait for her next book.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
AS THE WOMAN WRESTLED HER VAST HAT BRIM, TOWERING wig, and seven yards of hoopskirt out of the carriage, Robert Townsend saw the calamity coming. Read the first page
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dry goods shop
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New York, John Andr, General Washington, Long Island, General Arnold, Anthony Wayne, Benjamin Tallmadge, Benedict Arnold, George Washington, Kate Darby, Miss Darby, Jack Simcoe, King George, New Jersey, Peggy Shippen, General Clinton, Thomas Buchanan, West Point, Henry Clinton, Sugar House, Abraham Woodhull, General Wayne, Valley Forge, Oyster Bay, Rob Townsend
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