Annapolis

The novel covers the life of the Stafford family, a well-established and connected family of Annapolis, Maryland, through 10 generations. The Stafford's were an interesting lot that steeped themselves into the very fabric of America. Like the town that is the name sake of the book, the Stafford's were closely tied with both the American Navy and the mingling of politics. The novel covers this long line of individuals who for every generation had "one son for the soil and one son for the sea". The "son for the soil" in the early generations was one that was dedicated to the cultivation of tobacco, the crop that kept the family financially sound and allowed the other son of each generation the ability to feel free to satisfy the family obligation to the United States Navy. It is these sons and their actions that are the center pieces of this historical novel. Every major naval activity in American history, from Queen Anne's War to the Gulf War is touched by a Stafford. And the Stafford's were not only participants in these activities they played key, high-visibility roles. Mr. Martin does a fine job of research for this wide array of naval and historical subjects, although occasionally his facts are a little too accepting of the stereotypes of certain personalities and facts. For example, his depiction of Theodore Roosevelt was quite stereotypical and he even had Colonel Roosevelt saying the word, "Damn" is something TR would have never done. Except for these few oversights by Mr. Martin, the research for this novel was obviously thorough and well incorporated.

The part were Mr. Martin falls on his sword with this book is the believability factor. It is quite hard to swallow that this fictitious family is involved at a highly influential level in every aspect of every major naval and political activity of The United States since they were a group of fledgling colonies of England. This family was personal friends with everyone from John Paul Jones to Admiral William Halsley and was on every ship in battle from the Randolph (one of the first frigates in the Continental Navy) to the U.S.S. Enterprise. Over 680 pages of this name and place dropping becomes a little tiresome and it would have been exciting to read about a Stafford who was not intricately involved in one of the major naval operations of a given generation.

Even with this short coming Annapolis is a nice read. It has a little bit of everything. From steamy sex scenes to descriptions of aircraft taking off from a modern aircraft carrier. The history buff can appreciate William Martin's sense of detail even if you question his plausibility.