How Teddy Took Panama

by David Adamson Harper

It is August 1903, and Teddy Roosevelt's plans to build a canal through the isthmus of Panama are being thwarted. As he looks out over the White House lawn, his mind goes back to the Spanish-American war. Inspiration strikes.

Jack Quinn, a former aide from his Rough Rider days in Cuba, and now a bored New York lawyer, suddenly finds himself summoned to the White House, to be sent on a secret mission to Panama. He must help the rebels there secede from Colombia and pave the way for the United States to build the canal in the new Republic of Panama.

Under strict orders to keep Roosevelt's involvement hidden, Quinn finds himself drawn to a beautiful Panamanian woman, who is unhappily married to the second-in-command of the Colombian army garrison in Panama.

Jack Quinn, the accidental secret agent, soon finds himself fighting for his life as he tries to bring together the rebellion and keep the woman he loves.

David Adamson Harper adroitly tells the story behind the history. How did Teddy pull off the steal of the century, without historians or journalists being able to prove his involvement?

282 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2014

About the author

During his first tour in Panama the author observed close-up, the bloody riots against American sovereignty over the Canal Zone. He studied the history of the original treaty and was astonished to learn how the Panamanians had been cheated by a Frenchman, Philippe Bunau-Varilla, out of their sovereign territory to the benefit of the USA. He spoke in favor of the new treaties for the State Department. After the Torrijos/Carter treaties were agreed he was appointed the United States Consular Agent in Colon, Panama. He held this post for four years before he was transferred to India.

David Adamson Harper has written a number magazine articles on historical subjects as well as on his other area of expertise, the sport of rugby football. He graduated from the HMS Worcester Naval College in England and spent his early years in the Navy.

In 2012 the author published his first novel, KWANGCHOW – Freddy Everard on the China Seas, a Roman à clef novel about his early days as a young deck officer on the China Seas. It is available on Amazon’ Kindle and other eBook retailers.

More information and reviews can be found on the authors website: www.davidadamsonharper.com

Reviews

[Dan Reiste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just couldn’t hold my interest

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enter to WIN a SIGNED copy of this book on my blog by visiting http://EpicBookQuest.com/giveaway/

Former Rough Rider and veteran of the Spanish-American war, Jack Quinn has been sent on a top-secret mission to Colombia-controlled Panama in order to secure a deal for the United States to build a trans-oceanic canal through the isthmus of Panama.

With the senate in favor of Nicaraguan canal, and the Colombian president demanding a higher price for the treaty, there is but one option left in the eyes of President Roosevelt- support the Panamanian rebels in their efforts to secede from Colombia to become their own independent country, in exchange for the rights to build the Panamanian canal.

Fraught with danger and diplomatic challenges, Quinn’s very life depends on the success of his plans, and matters are made only worse as he finds himself falling in love with the alluring wife of Colonel Ochoa, a staunch Colombian loyalist. Can he manage to secure a deal with the Panamanians peacefully, or will he be responsible for igniting a bloody civil war?

While little is known about the exact role of the United States in the Panamanian rebellion, Harper explains there is much evidence that the involvement was much greater than most would believe. His take on this story, while not documented fact, remains entirely plausible, and nonetheless entertaining to read. Full of suspense, vivid descriptions of the Panamanian landscape and culture, as well as a fiery-hot romance, How Teddy Took Panama is a gripping read that fans of historical fiction will enjoy.

Rating: 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Check out this review on my blog: EpicBookQuest.com

[Avidreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am usually not a big reader of historical novels because I don't usually find them very interesting, but this is definitely an exception. This story of how the American President, Teddy Roosevelt, was able to purchase the canal from the French, obtain all rights to the canal and surrounding land, and instigate a Panamanian Revolution from Columbia without anyone finding out was almost unbelievable, and yet, at the same time, I could see it all unfolding and happening just as the book said. The entire plan was genius!

The author described the setting and living conditions perfectly for the early 1900's. I felt like I was right there with the two main characters, Jack Quinn and William Perry as Teddy's plan unfolded. I also very much enjoyed the love story that developed throughout the book. The characters were vividly described and it made the story very interesting. It literally kept me on the edge of my seat. I just enjoyed this book so much! I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Teddy Took Panama is an entertaining historical novel. Jack Quinn, who had once worked with Teddy Roosevelt during his Rough Rider days, is now asked by President Roosevelt to quietly assert the US’s influence in Panama. The US needs Panama to secede from Colombia in order for Roosevelt’s plans for the Panama Canal to be realized. Jack has to work behind the scenes to discover what it will take to ensure a rebellion against Colombia, and to do so without anyone suspecting he is working on behalf of the president.

I really liked how seamlessly this story seemed to fit with the history around the events. I thought that Jack was a strong and capable lead, and the situation and intrigue involved in trying to influence a favorable outcome for the US was well written and interesting. I thought that some of the events with Jack’s love interest unfolded a bit too quickly, but overall it kept the story engaging and made the job more personal for Jack, raising the stakes for the character. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and Goodreads for furnishing a copy of this book. It was a good read! I learned some things about how the Panama Canal came under the control of the US and it wasn't exactly a surprise.

I enjoyed the story line and was appreciative of the author's notes at the end regarding what characters and plot points were fictionalized. Knowing that took nothing away from the tale, but made me more comfortable in telling the story to others as I recommended the book.

If you like a good story, enjoy reading about the turn of the 20th century, enjoy history coming to life - then I highly recommend the book.