Philip Nolan, Chuck Pfarrer
Philip Nolan, Chuck Pfarrer
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
Club: $14.99

Philip Nolan
The Man Without a Country

Author: Chuck Pfarrer

Narrator: Donald Corren

Unabridged: 16 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 04/15/2016


Synopsis

Philip Nolan: The Man Without a Country is Chuck Pfarrer's captivating adaptation of Edward Everett Hale's American classic "The Man Without a Country," first published in The Atlantic Monthly more than a century ago. Masterfully blending history and fiction, Pfarrer tells the story of a young artillery officer, Philip Nolan, who becomes embroiled in Aaron Burr's 1807 conspiracy to invade the territories of the Louisiana Purchase. Insinuating his scheme has official approval, Burr convinces Nolan to carry a coded message into the Orleans Territory. Nolan has no knowledge of the former vice president's intended treason--and Burr has no idea that Thomas Jefferson has discovered his scheme. Soon Philip Nolan is in military custody with Burr, charged an accessory to the plot. The nation holds its breath as Burr is tried for attempting to tear apart the Union. The charges against Burr seem ironclad, but his lawyers are clever, and Burr walks free. An embarrassed prosecution looks for a scapegoat, and expands the charges against Nolan to include desertion and sedition. Learning that his own court martial will proceed, despite Burr's acquittal, Nolan denounces his accusers, damns his country, and tells the court he wishes never again to hear the words "United States" as long as he lives. The judges return with an ominous verdict: the prisoner's wish will be granted. Nolan is sentenced to permanent exile aboard a series of U.S. warships, never again to hear news from or speak of his country. Decades pass. Shuttled from ocean to ocean, Nolan realizes he is a stateless person, estranged from his keepers and forgotten by his country. Eventually passed aboard an American frigate in the Mediterranean, Nolan comes into the custody of a newly commissioned lieutenant, Frank Curran. When Barbary pirates capture an American whaleship, the pair is drawn into a web of international deceit and mortal danger. As a rescue mission is launched, Nolan teaches the young officer a lesson about duty, loyalty, and the meaning of patriotism. Equal parts adventure, naval history, and morality tale, Philip Nolan: The Man Without a Country is more than frigate duels and small boat actions. Intricately plotted and beautifully crafted, the novel is a poignant and closely observed examination of the human condition.

About Chuck Pfarrer

Chuck Pfarrer is a counterterrorism consultant to both the U.S. and foreign governments. The author of Warrior Soul: The Memoir of a Navy SEAL, he is also a screenwriter whose credits include The Jackal, Darkman, Red Planet, Hard Target, Virus, and Navy SEALs. He lives in Michigan.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Carrol on June 16, 2017

Actually I couldn't finish this book. It would be great if it just focused on Philip Nolan but the author seems far more interested in the minutia of historic sailing ships and battles than on the title character. If you are interested in that, this is your book, but if you want a good story with ch......more

Goodreads review by Chuck on March 06, 2016

First Rate Nautical Literature. And an epic reboot of the classic American short story “The Man Without a Country”. STARRED REVIEW: In an ambitious, meticulous historical novel, New York Times best selling author Chuck Pfarrer brings to life the backstory of Philip Nolan, the protagonist of Edward......more

Goodreads review by Cindy on October 10, 2016

In 1863, Edward Everett Hale’s short story “The Man Without a Country” was published. Pfarrer has taken that story and turned it into a powerful novel that captures a time long past that still has relevancy today. During the first decade of the nineteenth century, Aaron Burr plots to invade Spanish t......more

Goodreads review by San Diego Book Review on January 10, 2017

Reviewed by Michael Shulman Chuck Pfarrer writes a stunning historical novel entitled "Philip Nolan: A Man Without a Country." Pfarrer uses a short story written by Edward Everett Hale and published in "The Atlantic" in 1863 as basis and launching point for his novel. The protagonist of the novel is......more