The Red City: A Novel of the Second Administration of President Washington

The story opens on a breezy May afternoon in 1792, as the brig Morning Star cuts through the Delaware Bay and its crew savors a rare stretch of sunshine after weeks at sea. Captain John Maynard, a weather‑worn mariner with a quick smile, offers a young French émigré a pipe and a listening ear, hinting at the hardships that have driven his companion to America’s shores. Their easy banter, set against the rolling deck and the scent of rum, establishes a camaraderie that will be tested by the political currents stirring back home.

Soon the ship drops anchor at a bustling port, the gateway to the enigmatic Red City where the fledgling nation’s second administration is already shaping its destiny. There, the French refugee and the captain cross paths with ambitious locals, bold entrepreneurs, and whispering politicians, each hoping to carve a place in a country still defining its identity. As personal loyalties clash with emerging national ideals, the novel weaves together romance, intrigue, and the relentless drive of a young America striving toward its future.