Napoleon's Gold:
A Legend of the Saint Lawrence River

by Thomas Pullyblank

PRINT EDITIONS:
Publication Information Sheet
ISBN-13: 978-0-9833897-0-5
ISBN-10: 0-9833897-0-5
LCCN: 2011929789
SCP Product #: SCP-0032
Retail Price: $21.95
Physical: 362 pages; 5.25" x 8"; softcover; perfect binding
Pub. Date: July 4, 2011
Retail Distribution: Click link for info
Library Distribution: Click link for info

eBOOK EDITIONS:
Amazon Kindle: May 2012

Softcover - $21.95
Ordering & shipping info

Book Summary

After experiencing the harrowing events of 9/11, historian Tom Flanagan returns to his family's cottage on the Saint Lawrence River to gain some closure to the accidental death of his parents and brother and to find some meaning to the upheaval of his life. His return is both highly doubted and eagerly anticipated by the River Rat Reporters, a motley yet intriguing group of his father's former colleagues, summer neighbors, family members and drinking buddies. Together, along with Tom's former love and fellow historian Mindy McDonnell, the group seeks to complete his father's personal quest: the location of Napoleon's gold, one of the great legends of the Thousand Islands. But others also seek the gold for their own personal gain, and wage a battle against the group to control its reputed power. Through their personal tales of their involvement with his father's research, the River Rat Reporters each bring Tom one more piece of the puzzle to unlocking both the mystery of Napoleon's gold and the accidental deaths of his family.

Once again, Thomas Pullyblank has delivered a tale full of history, wonder and spiritual healing that illustrates how our lives are intricately intertwined and elaborately decorated with poignant moments of intimacy, betrayal, collaboration and revelation. Based on both Napoleonic history and the history of upstate New York, Napoleon's Gold continues the story of Tom Flanagan, first begun in Cornflower's Ghost. Pullyblank's novel exudes a deep reverence for the Saint Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands that comes from personal knowledge, leaving the reader wanting to explore both the region and the deeper mysteries of their own experience.

Book Preview
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Book Reviews

Advance Reviews

"Napoleon's Gold is set in the Thousand Islands, where Thomas Pullyblank spent his summers as a youth, and which he brings to life in a novel that will draw readers into the stories, tales, fables, and history of the region and his beloved Saint Lawrence River. The author's narrative gifts, erudition, brilliant dialogue, and rich imagination make this a must read. This novel is at once a page-turner and a work within which the author's musings and reflections on life, death and religion will leave the reader deeply moved."

Warren Roberts, Ph.D., Distinguished Teaching Professor, History Department, University at Albany

"Napoleon's Gold is a lively and well-written book, based on subjects that interest all islanders-finding treasures and meeting characters that come alive on the page. Pullyblank handles the detective work wonderfully and at the same time helps to "raise the bar" of Thousand Islands culture. We at Thousand Islands Life e-zine were lucky to have shared three chapters of the book over the winter of 2011, now we get all the pages, from front to back. Thanks Thomas for a splendid read."

Susan Smith, Editor, www.ThousandIslandsLife.com

"Napoleon's Gold is a good yarn with a touch of coincidence and magic. Pullyblank's affinity for the Thousand Islands and Saint Lawrence River regions and his obvious knowledge of the life and history of its people enriches the account and will delight North Country dwellers and readers in general."

Carolyn Schuler, Ph.D., Author, Professor, Professional Storyteller, retired North Country librarian

Recent Reviews

• Book Review by Dr. Ronald Bretsch in SUNY Potsdam School of Education and Professional Studies Newsletter (Summer 2012 - Volume XIV)
• Reviews on Amazon.com

Book Club Resources

The following items are useful for book clubs and reading circles that wish to read and discuss this book. They are also useful for individual readers who might want to get more out of their reading experience.

• Book Club Discussion Questions - (PDF)

Napoleon's Gold Playlist

The following list of songs are important to the characters in the story, and are presented by the author as a way to enhance your reading experience of Napoleon's Gold.

1. Before the Deluge - Jackson Browne
2. Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me - Edward Hopper/John Gould
3. Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto - Ludwig van Beethoven
4. Authority Song - John Mellencamp
5. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
6. I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow
7. Waterloo - ABBA
8. After the Gold Rush - Neil Young
9. You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Neil Diamond with Barbra Streisand
10. Torn Between Two Lovers - Mary MacGregor
11. Concerto in D Major For Violin & Orchestra, Op. 61: II. Larghetto - Ludwig van Beethoven
12. Caravan - Van Morrison
13. Sisters of Mercy - Leonard Cohen
14. Blessed Be Thou, Heavenly Queen - Anonymous
15. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
16. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
17. My Back Pages - The Byrds

Media Coverage

(These links will open another browser window.)

• Thomas Pullyblank TV interview on Readers Corner with Doreen Barnes - (Brockville, Ontario) - January 2012
• Napoleon's Gold recommended on North Country Public Radio's "Summer Reading List" - July 2011
• Excerpt 1 from Napoleon's Gold in "Thousand Islands Life" magazine - August 2010
• Excerpt 2 from Napoleon's Gold in "Thousand Islands Life" magazine - February 2011
• Excerpt 3 from Napoleon's Gold in "Thousand Islands Life" magazine - April 2011

View photos from the book launch at the 2011 Cape Vincent French Festival

Press Releases

(PDF documents)

• 7/4/2011 - Publication Announcement

About the Author

Thomas Pullyblank was born and raised in rural upstate New York. Having earned degrees in history at the University at Albany and a Master of Divinity degree from the Boston University School of Theology, Pullyblank now teaches history at the SUNY College at Oneonta and serves as a United Methodist pastor near Cooperstown, New York. He lives on a small working farm with his wife and son. This is his second novel. He is currently working on a third upstate New York historical mystery featuring Tom Flanagan.