The Impending Storm
Volume 7 in the “Prelude to Glory” series follows the family of John Phelps Dunson, interwoven with documented commentary on the American Revolution. It begins in London on November 25, 1781, when Parliament receives the news of Cornwallis’ defeat at Yorktown, and concludes in 1782, as the Peace Conferences begin in Paris, France. The Continental Army is disbanded in November, without the long overdue pay owed by a now bankrupt Continental Congress. Matthew Dunson and William Weems return home to Boston to find their families fighting starvation. There is no work, gold is the only trustworthy currency, businesses are closed or in bankruptcy, and most work is on the barter system. Matthew and William take over a bankrupt shipping firm and assume its debt, but the taxes threaten to ruin them. Just when things are the darkest for the fledgling firm of Dunson and Weems, an old friend comes to their rescue. With things looking up, Billy finally gets up the courage to tell Matthew’s sister of his love for her.
Ron Carter does an excellent job of interspersing actual history and the personification of actual historical figures with fictional accounts of how families managed to survive those perilous times. His research is impressive, and his narrative style is moving.
