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Moonlight Helmsman: Robert Smalls' Amazing Escape Paperback – January 1, 2017

by Richard Maule (Author)

4.7 26 ratings

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MOONLIGHT HELMSMAN Robert Smalls’ Amazing Escape by Richard Maule

2017 recipient of 8 national awards for Historical Fiction, African American Literature, and Best First Novel.

He was alone in dreaming it could be done, but on a moonlit night in 1862, the slave Robert Smalls stole the Confederate flagship and sailed off to freedom. Richard Maule’s novel, Moonlight Helmsman, brings to life one of the most amazing stories in our nation’s history.

Born into bondage, Smalls longs for the sailor’s life, and by the time the Civil War begins, he is assigned to pilot a Rebel ship in Charleston Harbor. Through a dramatic chain of events, Robert conspires to steal the boat, taking his friends and family along. His diverse crew includes his strong-minded wife Hannah, his preacher-turned-engineer Deke, and a fascinating madman named Spider Jefferson. Their intricate plot requires imagination, stealth, and the brazenness to defy certain death.

Taking the reader through treacherous channels, explosive mines, and enemy forts, the author leads us to a nail-biter of a climax. Faithful to the facts of history, Moonlight Helmsman is a gripping and inspiring testimony to the power of the human will. Kirkus Reviews says, “Maule skillfully renders Smalls’ life through fictional embellishment, powerfully portraying his indomitable longing for liberty… a riveting story, and a sadly neglected sliver of American history… a seamless weave of historical investigation and fictional drama starring an African-American hero."

Print length

369 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 1, 2017
Dimensions

6 x 0.84 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0998493708
ISBN-13

978-0998493701
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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Richard Maule (January 1, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 369 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0998493708
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0998493701
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.84 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,004,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,634 in Black & African American Historical Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 26 ratings

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Richard Maule

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Author Richard Maule is an award-winning novelist and curmudgeon. (OK, he didn't actually win any awards for the latter yet, but give him time.) He and his amazing wife Mary Nell are enjoying retirement in their picturesque waterfront cottage in Uncasville, CT.

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AZGigi

This was an incredible journey!

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2023

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From th a beginning to the end of this book, my heart would feel the pain and trauma of being a slave, along with Robert. He overcame it all and I trembled with the whole crew as they made their way to a well deserved life of freedom. freedom

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DMacDougall

Worth a read for sure.

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2017

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It was an excellent book. It could seem to start slow, but that it because the character development was done so well. By the time you get halfway through the book you feel like you know Robert Smalls. You feel his pain and longing for freedom. You can sense his inner strife. At the end of the book you feel a sense of, well you will have to read the book to know what you will feel. I recommend it to anyone looking to get pulled into a great story well written. Great read.

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B. Calhoun

Great story which deserves reading - a real "hero"!

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2018

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This is a VERY interesting story, and also well-written (I'm a writer, and a bit "picky" about an author's writing - words, grammar, and so on). I read voraciously, and really like books that combine actual history with a little bit of "fiction" to flesh out the history to make it engaging and seem to tell "the whole" story. Robert Small was truly a hero! The only minor quibble I have (and I did march in the Civil Rights marches, so I am very supportive of civil rights, etc.) is that occasionaly the author seems to go just a little overboard with beating the drum of how bad white people were (and are) to blacks and how bad blacks had (and have) it.

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2017

Verified Purchase

The story of Robert Smalls is truly impressive, as is the author's craft! From the start, I was captivated by the character of Robert and his bravery. Richard Maule's work brings to life the hardship that Robert and his family and friends endured that started his plans for freedom. Mr. Smallest' contribution to the union of our country should be in all our American History textbooks! Thank you, Mr. Maule, for bring Robert Smalls' story of an American hero to life! This is a must read!!

Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

Loved this book about a slave who stole a Confederate steamship during the Civil War. The historical background was most interesting as well as the fictional parts of the novel. Will recommend this novel as a book club selection. The novel makes me want to read other books about Robert Smalls. He must certainly have a prominent place in the new African-American Museum in Washington, D.C. , which I will look for when I get a chance to visit the museum.

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SB

A story of daring that will leave you inspired

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2017

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An incredible journey back in time. The first part of this book provides an education about what it was like to live as a slave in 19th century America. Then the second part of this book tells a dramatic story of a daring escape to freedom. A very inspiring story for everyone that teaches the lesson that you don't have to remain a prisoner to your circumstances.

2 people found this helpful

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Maryann Donnell

An amazing, little known story and life

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2017

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An amazing, little known story and life. Richard Maule introduces his audience to Robert Smalls' early years in the first half of the book and entertains his readers building up to an incredible adventure and escape in the second half. While this is historical fiction, Robert Smalls and his "great escape" really occurred. A must read for Black History month.

2 people found this helpful

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td

Brings to life a true piece of American history.

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

This was a read worth reading, if you like Historical fiction. Apparently well researched and well written.

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