Treason [Hardcover]

David Nevin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 2001

This is a story of ambitions and dreams shattered. It is a tale of intrigue and greed, surrounding the powerful figures in history, who are unable to see the consequences of their visions. It is the story of a young democracy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The events leading up to Aaron's Burr's trial for treason in 1807 are at the center of this fascinating but sadly undramatic historical novel, the fourth installment (after Dream West, 1812 and Eagle's Cry) in Nevin's popular if ponderously titled series The American Story, a History of the United States from 1800-1860. The central conflict of the tale is portrayed as a struggle between Burr and James Madison for the soul of the new country, with Madison's wife Dolley (who was introduced to Madison by Burr) providing the human element as Burr loses the race for governor of New York, kills Alexander Hamilton in a duel and conspires to take over New Orleans and use it to conquer Florida, Mexico and the West. One doesn't have to write like Gore Vidal (Burr) to use this fascinating stuff, but Nevin too often repeats previous information, asks the same question over and over again or ends a scene on a note of unspecified foreboding. The opening chapter is a microcosm of the whole: Dolley Madison's life from birth to the signing of the Louisiana Purchase is related, with all the facts entertainingly and skillfully laid out, but since there's little focus on what is dramatic and important, her ambivalent feelings about Aaron Burr are never incorporated into her character and remain only a plot device. It's promising to pit Madison, the architect of the Constitution, against Burr, but by remaining true to the particulars and avoiding unhistorical face-to-face confrontations, Nevin comes up just short of turning a dramatization of events into something stirring, engrossing and inspired. National print and TV advertising.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Danny, a 16-year-old runaway from a wealthy L. A. home, has been living on the San Francisco streets for two months. Because of his interest in magic, he is invited to join a scatterling elven group that is sure he is one of them. Their attempt to return home leads Danny's father and his investigator to this fast-paced novel's explosive conclusion. By merging fantasy and realism into his plot, Reaves creates a novel that will be popular with teens and have more than a single genre following. Issues of peer acceptance and dealing with the unknown are covered in this tantalizing package dressed up in an appealing cover.
- Nora Jane Natke, Riverside City and County Public Library, CA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (October 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312855125
• ISBN-13: 978-0312855123
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #996,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for anyone that enjoys Politics and History, March 9, 2002

By 

Gregory L Andersen (Cheyenne, Wyoming United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treason (Hardcover)

This is the second novel by David Nevin that I have read (But won't be the last). The more I read it the more I realized that politics has changed very little in the last two hundred years. I have been a student of American History for twenty five years, and still learned much from this novel. The author writes in such a way that you can almost imagine yourself being there to witness history as it is being made. And since it is a novel its not at all dry or boring to read, yet is based on historical facts with minimal "literary licence".

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD HISTORICAL NOVEL, February 23, 2007

By 

Dawn Dellarocco (SHELTON, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Treason (Mass Market Paperback)

I really liked this novel. It was well written and It's about the conspiracy theory of Aaron Burr against Jefferson. It was a little long but well worth the reading time. A must for history buffs. It also mentions about Adams, James, and Dolley Madison, the Louisiana Purchase as well as the trial and other historical figures. I would rate it 4.5 stars.

3.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointing, May 27, 2011

By 

Aaron S - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treason (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm a big fan of historical fiction and was excited to read this book given the good reviews; however, I had trouble getting into it. It is written in a disjointed style that I found annoying. Focuses can shift mid paragraph and some of the action seems incongruous. For instance two characters will walk up and begin talking and then, in mid-conversation, one will lean forward in his chair with no mention of them going somewhere or sitting down. There are a number of similar instances and it made for a very distracting read.

The book does have it's strengths though. It's an interesting and well researched story and parts of it really drew me in. Writing style can be somewhat subjective and I'm sure some will really enjoy this book but I don't really recommend it and doubt I will be reading any more of his works.