Robert H. Patton

Interesting subject, but where the reader might expect details of high sea battles, the book mostly covers the American Revolutionaries who financed and politically supported the privateers. That being said there are a few accounts of sea battles and the economic impact of the goods taken and how they affected the America Revolution, but again most of the focus is less on the actual sea fairing and more on the politicking and financing that allowed it to happen. While interesting to some it may be dull for readings wanting more adventurous filled stories, which they might expected upon picking up this book (the adage of not judging a book by the cover came to mind). The subject matter is well researched with many quotes from letters of the individuals examined and a rather extensive bibliography of read sources. Fairly well written and comprehensive with a length (approx. 260 pages with the prologue and introduction) that is well suited to a weekend read. A decent and good read.… (meer)

With only a handful of American Navy warships against the globe-spanning Royal Navy, the real focus on the war at sea was carried out by privately-owned warships, privateers, authorized to attack English ships in exchange for part of what sale of ship and cargo realized. About 1,000 privateers tackled the English fleet with great losses, funneling supplies to the American army and driving up insurance rates. An eye-opening insight into a largely ignored as left of the War for Independence at sea. for this overview, I would like to have seen some more statistics, even with the understanding that firm figures are likely not available.… (meer)

Cajun Waltz is a Greek tragedy with roots deep in black delta soil. The story begins with Richard (Richie) Bainard, a white musician from Texas who finds himself in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1928. Richie is a bit of a shiftless layabout, thinking about getting out of the music business and into something a bit more profitable. A chance encounter with the spinster daughter of the local dry goods store seems to offer him a way out, and a violent encounter with some good old boys after a performance with a black musician cements his choice. Richie marries the spinster and finds himself heir to a burgeoning retail empire.

Unfortunately, with a small taste of power and control, we find that Richie Bainard is not exactly a very good person. He is a violent and unfaithful drunk, terrorizing his family, friends, and mistress.

Like any good Greek tragedy, the sins of the father carry forward to the next generation. Here we have the twins: Bonnie, cold and pathologically calculating, and R.J., shiftless and casually violent. And then there is Seth, Bonnie and R.J.’s half brother, partially blinded and crippled in an accident as a child, trying to feel his way free of his poisonous family. Also exiting and entering the plot are the Bainards’ hangers-on, enemies, and victims, everyone’s stories weaving in and out of one another to form a tapestry of a dysfunctional family.

This book is the fictional debut of history writer Robert H. Patton. His style reflects his past; Cajun Waltz is written in the style of novelized nonfiction, and Patton draws on actual historical events and people to give the story bite. In the style of southern gothic tragedy, all the characters in Cajun Waltz (even the protagonists, such as they are) are deeply flawed, and occasionally difficult to sympathize with.The book being set in the 1920s through the 1950s, the issue of race indeed comes up, but is largely discarded later in the book. The book also features two women prominently: Bonnie Bainard (daughter of Richie) and Adele (one of the family’s victims) who choose very different (and not necessarily successful) routes to deal with the casual misogyny (and violence) of both their era, and the Bainard family.

In all, this book is a quick read and difficult to put down once started. I think it speaks well of the author’s characters when I want to reach through the page and slap/strangle a few of them. History buffs, or those into historical fiction will enjoy this book.

A copy of this book was provided by the author via Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.Cajun Waltz is currently available for purchase.

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