Fire in the Water

by James Alexander Thom

Paddy Quinn, the boy who ate rattlesnakes, and lost a hand to a cannon blast during the Mexican War, returns as a famous Civil War correspondent and battlefield sketch artist in James Alexander Thom's new novel, Fire in the Water . The central action in this novel is the tragic explosion and burning of the paddlewheel steamboat SULTANA near Memphis in the last days of the Civil War, killing some 1,800 homebound Yankee survivors of the hellish Andersonville prisoner-of-war camp in Georgia. But the undercurrent of the novel is the national mourning for assassinated President Lincoln, whose corpse was en-route on his funeral train to Springfield, Illinois at the time of the disaster.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

376 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2015

About the author

James Alexander Thom (born 1933) is an American author, most famous for his works in the Western genre. Born in Gosport, Indiana, he graduated from Butler University and served in the United States Marine Corps. He is a former professor of journalism at Indiana University, and a contributor to the The Saturday Evening Post. His fifth wife, Dark Rain Thom was a member of the Shawnee United Remnant Band until its dissolution; the Thoms presently live in the "Indiana hill country" near Bloomington.

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this book nearly as much as I did others by this author. It’s a very grim tale, and a bit too raunchy for my taste. EBN26 Category: Fire in the story or on the cover. (Both in this case)

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! -- my usual reaction upon reading any one of Thom's books. His attention to detail, including the stomach-turning, puts the reader right in the middle of the action. I've been reading his books for years, beginning with Follow the River, and he never disappoints. This is true even when the subject is something that I'm not really drawn to, his prose grabs me and doesn't let go. I'm sorry that I had never gotten around to reading Saint Patrick's Battalion, because it's the backstory of Paddy Quinn's remarkable life. A famous journalist, Paddy has been a war correspondent throughout the Civil War, welcomed on both sides for his fairness and honesty. Now, newly married to Felice, who has been working as a nurse on a hospital ship, they learn that Lincoln has been assassinated. Paddy knows that Lincoln's funeral in Springfield, Illinois could be the capstone of his career so far, so they set out aboard the steamship Sultana, not knowing that it is doomed. Picking up 2,000 survivors of the Andersonville prison camp in Vicksburg, the ship is overloaded and the boilers are overtaxed. The explosion, which comes halfway through the book, is only part of the story. The other part is the bond between Paddy and Private Robb Macombie, who is close to death but determined to see the President before he dies.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Alexander Thom has been a favorite author in our family for years. We all love his books and pass them around. This one is a continuation of the life of Paddy Quinn, a war correspondent in the book St Patrick’s Battalion. This book is a little coarse in places, but the story line is amazing. It’s about two men who find one another aboard a riverboat on their eventual way to Springfield. Illinois for Pres Lincoln’s viewing and burial. Paddy is constantly seeking his next drink of whiskey and Robbie, who has just been released from Andersonville Prison, is deathly ill and just wants to go home and be buried in the family plot by his grandfather. Their mutual desire to pay respects to the President binds them together as they journey through unexpected perils. To me the beauty of the story is about how their friendship, respect, and ultimately their love and devotion to one another helped them each to become better men. As I think about it this seems to be a theme in many of Thom’s books: people growing through their experiences to become the best version of themselves. Or as Lincoln would say, their better angels. The conclusion of the book was perfect!

[Jane Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and heartwarming

To be honest, while reading the first few pages a feeling of disappointment was felt. That "disappointment" left very soon afterwards. Rarely do I read a book as rapidly and thoroughly as this book. Rarely does an author enable the reader to feel as if s/he's a participant in the story any more. Thom accomplishes that and more!

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2015 by Blue River Press

Not many people know about the horrible story of the Sultana, a paddlewheel steamboat that sank into the Mississippi River in April of 1865. It is the worst maritime disaster in American history but was largely overshadowed by the events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and his dramatic funeral train tour from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois. The Sultana was grossly overcrowded. It was designed to carry 376 passengers, but it was carrying 2,155 passengers when three of its boilers exploded in the early morning hours of April 27, 1865. Most of its passengers were survivors of the infamous Andersonville prisoner of war camp that were being shipped home.

This book is technically a sequel to Saint Patrick's Battalion . It continues the story of...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Karen Terney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have liked Mr. Thom’s books in the past, but I didn’t like this one. I think the problem was the main character who Thom seems to like well and has written about in other books. I didn’t like him so although I learned about an important event of the post-Civil War, I had to make myself finish the book.

The story of Andersonville survivors dying because of government stupidity and a man’s greed is very heartbreaking. I had a relative in Andersonville. He is buried there so the idea of learning more about Andersonville was appealing. I was glad to learn about this tragedy. This is the kind of story that should be taught in history classes instead of memorizing dates. But, I guess the government would not encourage it being taught since many people want to rewrite history so the bad things done in the country are hidden from view. But, I didn’t like Paddy so reading it was a struggle.

[Norma Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a five star book from James A. Thom

Every book I've read by James Thom has been excellent. I met him once 32 years ago when I attended a lecture he did. Very gracious and personable man as well as a great author! In fact, I hope to be able to speak with him tonight. He will be speaking at an event in my town!

[Dana Heffington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

Hope to see it on the screen some day. I kept trying to decide on the actor to play Paddy. Kept thinking of someone like Steve McQueen but it would have to be someone much younger since Paddy is in his early 30's Perfect story for the screen

[Claire L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

History as Narrative

I have enjoyed being informed by James Alexander Thom's books. This book appealed to my Illinois and Indiana heritage. I live in the South now and have visited many civil war battlefields. The book provides a detailed look of the way things were.

[Susan Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book

Absolutely loved it. I had never read about this incident. Sad that more people died on this boat than the Titanic but so little is written about it. You get to know so many people. This is a great author. A must read book.

[gary robinson]

Very touching

This story was historically significant. It is accurate historically and well written. I have a problem with the vulgarity and cursing. It would have rated five stars if the author had refrained from the common language.

[Dave Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This author and his language are so wonderful! The history of the plot is so easy to imagine with his descriptions. The characters come to life and become so very realistic! I highly recommend this book!

[joanna beach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful but..

Loved the story but not some of the language. Historical details were fascinating for sure. Just caution the sexual areas

[Angela Richter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could Not Read.

Just bought this morning & in 20+ pages, it's too filthy. Too much sexual content, vulgarity to finish. Money wasted.

[Kevin Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Thom is a fantastic historical novelist.

[Annette White · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is filthy! I give it 1 star and that is painful to do.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore this author's other books. This one was good, too. I want to know what happens to the main character next. Hope he gets another book written about him.

[George Lilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing story in the aftermath of the Civil War.

[Kyra Krupa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little history lesson, mixed in with historical fiction.

[Don Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like historical novels and the American Civil War, you will love this book. You will also learn about Andersonville prison and the sinking of the Suntana on the Mississippi, days after Lincoln's assignation. Pick it up.

[Chad Foreman · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this book is just awesome. I think what I really like most is Thom's writing style. The way he paints a picture of the scene also reveals the personality details of the characters in a way that is at a delightful pace. You just keep wondering "who is this person?" And then as I learn more about Paddi and Felice I'm thinking, "oh wow. Didn't expect that."

Finished the book. It was great. Just a good read. Nothing monumental but a story that kept me interested until the very end. Again, I think it's Thom's writing style that makes it so good.

[Bob Lafary · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Alexander Thom has been around many years, (sorry James,) writing excellent historical fiction, or so I am told. I have four other of his works in my library--but this is the first one I have gotten around to reading. So many books--so little time. Now I want more of Mr. Thom. By-the-way: is it pronounced like "Tom?" Or is it pronounced like "Thom with a soft "T?" Inquiring minds want to know. "Fire in the Water" is about a little known immediate tragedy after the Civil War--the "Sultana" incident. People never change: greed and the lust for money transcends all generations. A Civil War correspondent and his "friend," book passage on a ship plying the Mississippi on its way up river. They want to see the funeral of President Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. But what awaits them along their journey, is nothing they paid their good Yankee dollars for. Read it. It's slow at times--but well worth your time. Four stars. No bars.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fire in the Water” illuminates one of the harshest events in the aftermath of the American Civil War, the disaster of the Sultana when an estimated 1,800 war veterans lost their lives.

Thom expertly weaves together the destinies of Paddy Quinn, a one-armed war correspondent with a penchant for whiskey, and Robbie Macombie, a former Union soldier and prisoner at the infamous Anderson prison camp. Through the eyes of both we experience soldiers and civilians trying to make sense of life after war in the wake of President Lincoln’s assassination.

In the aftermath of the disaster, Paddy’s and Robbie’s friendship, but really their commitment to attend Lincoln’s funeral, become the lifeblood for their survival. “Fire in the Water” gives us a fascinating glimpse into a harrowing time and leaves us in awe of what men must have endured.

[Becky Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not up to the calibre of writing I've grown accustomed to for Thom at all. I actually had to double-check the date a few times, as I couldn't believe this was written in 2015; it feels so much more like an early novel where Thom was "cutting his teeth" on plot and character development.

The main character is nothing but a stereotype of an Irishman - a randy alcoholic, quick to throw a punch between shots of whiskey - and there was a tedious amount of foreshadowing of the main plot. Once we did get to the climax, however, it was well-written with Thom's usual high-quality blend of detail and action. The last quarter of the book saved it for me, but I much prefer his strong portrayals of the indigenous population in books such as Panther in the Sky, Follow the River and Red Heart.

[David Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, like the movie Titanic, attempts to make an entire story about a giant river boat disaster and the events before and after. It was interesting to learn about the post civil war period and about the technical cause of the explosion. But the book dragged a bit. Could have been half as long.

I love every other book by this author. But this one is only OK.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paddy Quinn, a recently married war correspondent, and Robbie Macombie, a Union soldier devastated by his Andersonville imprisonment, travel north on the overloaded steamship Sultana, determined to be in Springfield for the President's burial. They face disaster and formidable obstacles in this riveting book by the great writer of historical fiction. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine Historical Fiction

Thom is an old school historical fiction master. Excellent writing, excellent grasp of history and the right amount of bawdiness and melodrama. Fast paced and enjoyable. Recommended.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting historical novel about the sinking of the Sultana at the end of the Civil War.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great novel of historic fiction. I really enjoy Mr. Thom's writing anyway...he's from Indiana and this was a great addition to my list of reads by him. Basically this is the story of Paddy Quinn who is a war correspondent. He has decided that covering the death and funeral of Abraham Lincoln will be his last assignment. He has a new wife and they are going to travel on the steamboat Sultana up the Mississippi River to Illinois to meet the funeral train which is traveling across the eastern United States carrying the deceased president so that as many people as possible will be able to get a last look. When the steamboat stops in Vicksburg, they pick up 2,000 survivors from the notorious Andersonville prison camp. The boat is overcrowded and they've already had to patch one of the boilers. Quinn is treated like royalty on the boat which eventually leads his new wife to realize that he may have a problem with consuming too much alcohol. He spends his time drinking with and interviewing the Andersonville survivors to help beef up his final story. He becomes exceptionally close to one, Robb Macombie, who seems to barely be alive. Robb's goal was to return home and be buried among his long gone relatives but once he meets Paddy he decides he wants to see the president's body lying in state before he returns home for his own death. That's the plan...but will the explosion of the steamboat's boilers put a hitch in their plans? They are both blown into the river and struggle to live out the night. You'll have to read the book to see what happens!!

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Mark Twain could have imagined that the curse of slavery would still be tearing our nation apart a century and a half after the end of the Civil War, he might have written a book such as Fire in the Water. As in all of his masterful novels, James Alexander Thom evokes the past by making it present. He carries us into bars and back alleys, frontier outposts and swarming cities, steamboats and military prisons. He plunges us into the Mississippi River and draws us into the funeral cortège of Abraham Lincoln, bringing history to life. One emerges from this riveting narrative more convinced of the ugliness of racism and the folly of war. ~ Scott Russell Sanders, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of English, Indiana University
Bloomington, IN

My very favorite historical novelist, James Alexander Thom, always makes history vivid and entertaining. With Fire in the Water, he brings the past into the present and takes the reader along on that perilous riverboat journey. Outstanding. Exceptional. Riveting. ~ Lucia St. Clair Robson, author of Ride the Wind