Over There

The American Chronicles #2

by Robert Vaughan

Tragedy at sea as the mighty Titanic goes down: dreams of freedom as millions of immigrants pass through Ellis Island: adventure in the gold fields of Alaska: a bloody revolution in Russia: and a single shot in Sarajevo that explodes into a world war... This is the century's second decade, filled with danger, turmoil; and blazing desire.

Genres: Historical Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Robert Vaughan is an American writer. He has also written a series of contemporary and historical romance novels under several pseudonyms including "Paula Moore" and "Paula Fairman". His father served in the military and Robert followed him in the 1950s, entering army aviation. He served until the Vietnam War and won numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with several oak-leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, and several other medals.
His early books reflected his military background: the first novel was about the US Army along the DMZ in Korea, followed by a trilogy set in Vietnam. There are more than 9 million of his books in print under various names. He was inducted into the Writers’ Hall of Fame in 1998.

Reviews

[Mary JL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roberts Vaughan's second novel in his "American Chronicles" series is a bit faster paced that volume one as he's hitting his stride. Volume Two is the second decade of course--1911 to 1920 says the book jacket. But he cleverly starts a little later--April, 1917 and the sinking of the Titanic.
This is followed by the U S entry into World War I followed by the horrible flu epidemic of 1918.

Again a good mix of characters and situations. I also probably enjoyed it more because the history of this decade is better known to me. The Titanic opening scene wa good; the War scenes well written. And this novel made clearer to me how much the 1918 flue epidemic affected everyone.

Again, I recommend this book for fans of historical fiction and/or family sagas. A smooth read that stills puts a lot of good history and characters together.

Edited on 5/7/2017 to fix typos.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the American Chronicles series and takes place in the second decade of the 20th century. The story opens with the maiden voyage of the Titanic. JP Winthrop is on the voyage, as is his former lover, Lady Lucinda Chetwynd-Dunleigh and her husband and son, Jimmy. Hers is a loveless marriage and she rekindles her affair with JP on the voyage. The ship sinks and she is left widowed with her son Jimmy and another child on the way.

Bob Canfield’s younger brother Billy, although a student at Jefferson University, has no interest in pursuing the family business. He wants to forge a career in aviation. The onset of war in Europe brings him to France where he joins the French Foreign Legion as a fighter pilot. There he meets Rex “Rocky” Rockwell. When the United States joins the war, he and Rocky join the American forces.

Loomis Booker is married and a professor at Lincoln College, a Negro university until he is called to Washington DC to help with the war efforts. A book he has written on railroad transportation has made him the pre-eminent expert in the field and he works with Dwight Eisenhower (yes, Ike) to help with the American war effort.

Connie Canfield, Bob’s wife has taken up the women’s suffrage cause and is willing to be arrested, often, for her cause.

Karl Tannenhower manages to survive the sinking of the Titanic and comes to St Louis to attend Jefferson University (his uncle owns the local brewery.) While there he befriends Billy Canfield and becomes a football player for Jefferson Bears. But a tragic death on the field causes Karl to leave St. Louis and return to Germany. He joins the German armed forces as an aviator. Soon he is married to his commander’s daughter and is a leading bombings via dirigibles over England.

In Vienna, David Gelbman’s nephew, Simon, is attending the university in Munich when the war in Europe breaks out. He joins the German, rather than the Austrian army, because it will allow him to finish his studies. He ends up in a unit with several other men, one of whom is a very anti-Semitic Adolph Hitler.

Eric Twainbough is still a wanderer. He starts out in Alaska searching for gold and ends up reporting from the Russian front where he is injured. During his recovery, he falls in love with a Russian nurse who is a distant relative of Czar Nicholas and is considered a Princess. As royalty, she needs family permission to marry Eric, a commoner, and as royalty, the US will not give her a visa to immigrate to the US. The Bolshevik revolution creates a major change in both of their lives.

We also meet a new immigrant to Chicago, Maria O’Braugh and her young son, Kerry O’Braugh. Maria is an Italian widow (her husband was Irish and was murdered by enemies of her family.) Her son, Kerry, is soon caught up in criminal activity and jailed. He escapes from jail and joins up with a gang that is about to join forces with Al Capone.

Throughout the story, we follow the people through the war in Europe, the United States desire to stay neutral and he Spanish influenza that killed many people quickly throughout the world.

I enjoyed the book, but the rah-rah we are Americans and can do anything attitude can be a bit much to take. The introduction of Kerry O’Braugh does not seem to make a lot of sense initially, but the ending does make the character’s presence make some more sense.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

1912 - 1919 This writer gives us snippets of people's lives during this time.

[Dark Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the second book in this saga and am eager for the third. Such an engaging story, filled with characters that you come to love, taking part in events that change history forever.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second of the "American Century" series - a delightful discovery. So far, well-written sagas that follow interesting characters. This one covered the years 1912-1918.