Blue Hurricane, by F. Van Wyck Mason

NORTHEAST, THE MIDWEST, THE SOUTH.  
Historical Fiction.  

All but unknown in the 21st century, Francis “F” Van Wyck Mason was a wildly prolific writer of popular fiction in the mid-20th century. His mystery series featuring U.S. intelligence officer and “troubleshooter,” Hugh North, ran to well over 20 volumes across the 1950s-60s. But it was F. Van Wyck Mason’s background as an historian that led to a dozen more books of fiction about the American Revolution (including 1953’s popular release, “The Winter at Valley Forge”) and the American Civil War. Most of his historical fiction was marine-based, including 1954’s “Blue Hurricane.” Unfamiliar with the book and its tale of main character, Matt Hovey, the inside cover’s end-paper had us originally thinking this a Northeast regional match when we uncovered two first edition copies in the basement of an estate sale: the illustration of the Maine Coast and the towns surrounding Bangor in the Penobscot River Valley, c. 1861. But flipping through, we came to the back cover’s end-paper showcasing “The War in the West,” highlighting the first great invasion attempt of the war up the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers in early 1862. We learned that the story veers suddenly from south-central Maine, as Hovey having committed murder (to avenge his mother) is put to flight only to find himself serving with Union general U.S. Grant and Flag Officer Andrew Foote’s mentioned invasion by way of a river fleet of ironclads, with land forces supporting. Of course, there is also a love interest amidst the maelstrom of war. The mid-century was a time of high popularity for such Civil War fiction, especially in the run-up to the war’s centennial: 1961-65. Reviews of Blue Hurricane seem positive to mixed—a historical fiction page-turner was our take … [Condition: Used Good — First edition hardcover with some age coloration on the mentioned end-papers, but an otherwise unblemished interior. There is the familiar edge wear and minor chips to the cover, as well as a few bent corners from what seem long ago floor drops. At 70 years old plus, this volume of popular fiction has aged quite well, otherwise.] 

Condition: Used Good. 
Nonfiction / History. 
F. Van Wyck Mason. 
Lippincott, 1954. 
Hardcover (First Edition), 307 pgs, 5.5 x 8.5" / 13 oz