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Argonautica [MultiFormat]
eBook by Walter Jon Williams
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eBook Category: Alternate History Nebula Award(R) Nominee
eBook Description:  Confederate naval forces are reduced to the defense of Vicksburg, and an enterprising young captain plots a rescue mission to sail north and recover $65 million in gold coins buried near a Mississippi plantation.
eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Asimov's, 1999
Fictionwise Release Date: January 2001
This eBook is also available in the following bundle(s):
518 Reader Ratings:
Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: eReader (PDB) [122 KB]
, ePub (EPUB) [91 KB]
, Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [107 KB]
, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [444 KB]
, Palm Doc (PDB) [116 KB]
, Microsoft Reader (LIT) [100 KB]
, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [168 KB]
, hiebook (KML) [292 KB]
, Sony Reader (LRF) [144 KB]
, iSilo (PDB) [98 KB]
, Mobipocket (PRC) [121 KB]
, Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [149 KB]
, OEBFF Format (IMP) [165 KB]
Words: 34477
Reading time: 98-137 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
Microsoft Reader ISBN: 1590621530
Mobipocket Reader ISBN: 1590623967
 
This is an absolutely wonderful Alternate History story. Set in a little-known corner of the Civil War, “Argonautica” is a raucous story that rolls along as smoothly as the rivers upon which much of the action takes place. Although not populated with lots of famous people, as is “No Spot of Ground”, the characters in “Argonautica” are more entertaining. Walter Jon Williams has filled this story with some memorable characters, and, more importantly, two really well-developed characterizations for the protagonists—Jase and Melia. Instead of a Golden Fleece, Jase is after gold bullion hidden by the Confederate government in the wilds of Mississippi. He is guided by Melia, the wild child daughter of the former governor that hid the bullion. With $65 million in gold at stake, there is plenty of treachery and danger afoot, not the least of which are the lethal plants and potions in Melia’s little black bag. This is another great one for Civil War buffs and those who enjoy well-written Alternate History stories. -Paul Walker, Fictionwise Recommender
He gave a savage laugh. "Those fools in Memphis made no effort to secure the gold in the bank vaults! The gold! They believed the River Defense Fleet was invincible, that Memphis would never fall! They thought my warnings absurd. They left it to me!--to me, the man who despises them all. Fortunately I was a director of three Memphis banks, and could act. Well, if the gold is safe now, and if Mississippi can survive another year without suffering devastation and occupation, it is on account of me, the man our wise leaders despised as a compromiser and a Unionist! And you, sir--" The man's blind eyes snapped to Jase, staring right at him, and Jase felt himself take a breath. "So," the governor said, "I hear your Arcola is invincible, just like the River Defense Fleet." "I hope never to test the assumption, sir," Jase said. The governor gave a skeletal grin. "That is not an answer typical of your class." "I am not a typical officer. That is why I've received this assignment." "And your plans for recovering the specie?" "Farragut will come after my boat," Jase said. "He isn't the sort of man to permit his ships to be sunk without striking back. If we survive his assault, then I will try to get Arcola up the river, to the place you direct." "You will take me along."
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