Captain Putnam for the Republic of Texas

February 1, 2021
This fourth of Haley's popular historical naval novels, following The Devil in Paradise (2019), opens with Bliven Putnam loitering in Florida in 1834 while his warship undergoes repairs and ruminating over his and his wife's opposition to slavery and President Andrew Jackson, whom Putnam considers a demagogue and much dislikes. Back in Connecticut for a year, Putnam receives orders to head to New Orleans, where he sees his ship at anchor and learns that he is to clandestinely support the Texans in their revolt from Mexico. With his friend Sam Bandy on board, Putnam captures Mexico-bound weapons but, unsure how to deliver them to the rebels, decides to land and seek General Sam Houston's advice, learning that Jackson himself requested his services. Ultimately Bandy participates in the victorious Battle of San Jacinto while Putnam defeats Mexican warships, though at great personal cost. Mission accomplished, Putnam meets President Jackson, declines his offer of a diplomatic post, and resigns his commission. A conflict-rich and exciting installment in Haley's Blivan Putnam Naval Adventure series, this will leave fans clamoring for more.

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