Nassau

by John Reisinger, Unknown Author

Fast ships, easy money and sudden danger arrive in the Bahamas when the Civil War transforms a sleepy tropical port into a haven for Confederate blockade runners. From sordid waterfront taverns to the Governors mansion, to the elegant Royal Victoria Hotel, sailors, spies, fortune seekers, and adventurers cut deals and cut loose while preparing for the next harrowing trip through the blockades deadly ring of fire and steel. Here a daring captain with a fast ship can quickly become rich...or dead. Nassau is the exciting story of how the Civil War changed a once quiet port and the people who lived there.

Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

About the author

John Reisinger is a former Coast Guard officer and engineer, who writes on historic incidents and themes. He is the author of Master Detective, the true story of detective Ellis Parker and his controversial involvement in the Lindbergh kidnapping investigation. Max Allan Collins called Master Detective "Fascinating reading for true crime buffs and mystery fans alike." John also writes the Max Hurlock Roaring 20s Mysteries, a series of books based on real crimes of that era. Tidewater Times reviewer Anne Stinson said of the series "Mark me down as a super-fan of John Reisinger. I predict that every lover of an exciting tale told well will agree."
He has recently completed The Secrets Behind the Structures: The little known stories behind some of the world's most well-known landmarks. John lives on Maryland's Eastern Shore and has appeared in a segment on the TV series Mysteries at the Museum. His website is http://www.johnreisinger.com

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So what was happening in the Bahamas in the year 1860...

Well pretty much nothing exciting, the Island wasn't the place as we know it today, but this book gives us a peek into the world of the beginnings. Soon after the civil war broke out Nassau became the place to go for the blockade runners, and well the islanders both earn and lost money during those years.

Now for the story, we start in London, and the owner of a failing shipping business sends a new guy over to the Island to see if he could make a better go of it then the person there. On the way, Crane meets the Blackwells. a brother and sister who are going to see about some property that their father left them.

I think the characters make the story come a little bit more alive. Its chalk full of little tidbits and facts that will make any history person interested. I love the description we get during the last blockade run, which is a side that is rarely seen I think.

And the fact that I got to go to Charleston a couple summers ago, made the story all the better.