The Flood Tide: A Story of the American Revolution and a Coastal New Hampshire Town

by Nancy McIntosh

Frank Drew and his son Francis are faced with life-altering challenges and choices as the American Revolution reaches into their peaceful world on the Piscataqua River system in southeastern New Hampshire. Frank is a successful carpenter, content with his life and happy family, while his son Francis is reaching an age of apprenticeship and wrestles with the decision to follow his calling in education, or his father’s trade in carpentry. These choices divide them and ultimately reunite the father and son while each finds a way to fight the War in a way consistent with their beliefs and abilities. Filled with historical details, anecdotes, and real places and figures from history, this book will appeal to anyone exploring New Hampshire’s role in the Revolution and life in Colonial New Hampshire.

354 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2024

Reviews

[Dave Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story shows us how the American revolution impacts a hard-working but happy family on the NH seacoast. The father and son clash over their differing perspectives on attaining independence and I could easily relate to both: the father being somewhat overbearing while hoping to spare his son the experience of war, and the son wanting to make his own decisions. The story is clearly informed by detailed knowledge of building and sailing boats on the local rivers. It should resonate especially strongly with people who are familiar with the NH seacoast. Perhaps because I've been paddling around the Piscataqua river system nearly all of my life, I enjoyed this love letter to that river more than anything I've read in quite some time.

[Mark F Racic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real flavor of 18th century life on the NH sea coast. Nancy's nautical background is evident.

I have lived on the waters edge, boated on the bay and rivers mentioned in the story. Lived on a Peninsula between Bunker and Johnson creeks, memories of the challenges these waters present are real. As a youth I stood on the battle ments of Ticonderoga seeing the waters as the soldiers did. This book ticks of most history buffs boxes. The garrison houses and the Dam Garrison are an integral part of our heritage. Seeing the gun ports that were used to protect the family, stimulating my imagination as a local boy, all comes back in these pages. My only criticism is that it ends to soon.

[Wendy Swisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read. A book that keeps you up at night reading, and then saddens you at the end because you don’t want it to be over (I love those). It the story of a New Hampshire family, who have made their life and living for generations as boat makers and on the sea and waterways of New England. Their lives are turned upside down as the revolution and aftermath of the signing of the US constitution tear the country apart. This first time author (and friend of mine) a compelling story... One that makes you want to know and understand more about this famous time in our history.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows one family in New Hampshire during a portion of the Revolutionary War. The story goes into much detail about a time in our history fraught with peril, but the author keeps the story moving and doesn’t bog down. It keeps the reader’s attention as it moves forward. If you enjoy history, you will enjoy this book.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting story

Very well written with great characters! A pleasant read with history and glimpses at familiar places to me on the seacoast. I had a good feeling from these characters, fine caring people of New England.

[Matthew Raynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read, I grew up in Dover and her references in the book are on point. I really liked her nautical knowledge an how difficult life was during that time.