Confederate
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. . Booksellers & Home of Pickett's Staff |
Confederate
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Jackson's Option
WHO IS ALEXANDRE' de MOREAU? Jackson's Option is the first book in the deMoreau Chronicles trilogy, which features Alexandre' deMoreau (a time traveler born in 2123) as the hero in each story. Before becoming a time traveler, deMoreau is an academic gypsy and ne'er do well. He has a Bachelor's in engineering, a Master's in history, and a doctorate in psychology. The discovery of time travel technology provides deMoreau with an opportunity to establish himself in a profession - - - influencing history. Coming from the future provides deMoreau with the added benefit of 20/20 hindsight. His only limitations are human nature and era-accurate technology. The deMoreau Chronicles are drawn from his diaries. Because deMoreau has a tendency to pontificate and be a little long-winded, some sections are edited or summarized. WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT? Faced with a future social, economic, and technological cataclysm that only can be avoided by a Confederate victory in the past, the Global Commission on Science, or GCS, reluctantly decides to change history and selects deMoreau as their agent in 2150. They know that his success means the end of their timeline and a shift to a new history and future. This shift will not happen until deMoreau makes an historical change that is of "critical significance." Until the shift, deMoreau travels back and forth between the past and present - - - after the shift, he only can return to an unknown future. This first assignment has a critical constraint; deMoreau must achieve a Confederate victory in 1862 to avoid a collision with other time lines. Computer simulations point to a single means of success, which is convincing the Confederate High Command to accept Jackson's Option of invading the North at the end of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. McClellan's presence on the Peninsula and threat to Richmond is one obstacle. The losses at Fort Henry and fort Donelson as well as at Shiloh are additional complications. Success depends on deMoreau's ability to forge friendships with Davis, Lee, Beauregard, and others such as Jonathan Bowen. To do this, he poses as an international trader and first meets these men during the Mexican War. This guise allows him to gain the confidence of business people in the North, South, and Europe. Levi White, a smuggler who was effective throughout the war, becomes a crucial ally. Through White, deMoreau makes the acquaintance of the "Cary Invincibles," three young women well known in Confederate society. Once the war begins, he volunteers to work for the Confederate Secret Service. Ultimately, deMoreau manages re-assignment to the West in the middle of Beauregard's conflict with President Davis. The successful evacuation of Fort Donelson and a complete victory at Shiloh, which includes Sherman's capture, set the stage for completing the plan. Returning to Richmond, deMoreau must help lead the Confederacy to an early prosecution of the war's aims. With the consent of the Confederate High Command, deMoreau sends John Woods and an assault force of Marines north of Baltimore to disrupt the railroad. Jackson moves out supported by a special force called the Grey Wolf Legion. Unknown to deMoreau, however, there are those in the future who want him to fail. The war ends with unintended consequences for both the Confederacy and deMoreau. For deMoreau, these consequences are both tragic and lead to his becoming an orphan in time. Jackson's Option features:
Jackson's Option is a "what if" novel that is historically based fiction. No out of period weapons or behaviors are included. Only two major and three minor characters are non-historical. The personalities and behaviors of all historical characters are as accurate as possible.
WHAT IS THE GREY WOLF LEGION? The Grey Wolf Legion is Alexandre' deMoreau's special unit and it plays a unique role in each book in the trilogy. In Jackson's Option, deMoreau needs an edge to achieve victory. This edge is the 7,500-man Grey Wolf Legion. The Legion has three battalions: Harp, Thistle, and Cross. These symbolize the makeup of each battalion, which are Irish, Scots, and Marylanders respectively. Their uniforms are similar to those worn by all Confederate soldiers with the exception that all wear boots and none wear brogans. The Legion flag on a black background symbolizes "no quarter." Its Gaelic slogan translates into English as: "Harbinger (War Wolf) of Sudden Death." In Gaelic, this slogan has mystical implications for the Irish that become accepted by the Scots and Marylanders. deMoreau uses these symbols and the slogan as a 19th century form of psychological intimidation. To meet the need for special tactical capabilities, the Legion also has unique weapons that build on the mystique deMoreau creates for this force. His problem is that the Legion cannot participate too early in the war; the timing of their use must be precise. The LeMat carbines serve as a rudimentary assault rifle, which must be re-engineered to avoid numerous design flaws. Only 199 of these carbines were built during the Southern War for Independence; deMoreau must have 6,000 for the execution of Jackson's Option. The second weapon is called the "Harbinger." To secure this weapon, deMoreau must obtain rights to the 1859 design of Richard Jordan Gatling's weapon. In spite of their not being used until Petersburg, this weapon was in existence in 1861 with 25 of them in the arsenal of Union General Benjamin Butler. The Gatling family, however, originally was from Cumo, North Carolina. Exploiting this historical fact allows deMoreau to ensure the Confederate victory he must obtain. PUBLICATION DETAILS Jackson's Option has a projected publication date of mid-year 2005 and will be available nationwide through all independent, chain, and Internet booksellers. Carondelet, LLC plans for the book to be distributed nationally by Mid-Point Trade.
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