Black Tom: Terror on the Hudson

This fine historical novel introduced me to a fraught period of history that shaped the 20th century and plunged the United States into the world's worst war. It depicts not only the rich melting-pot life of Jersey City, but the massive efforts of saboteurs to destroy the huge Black Tom shipping facility there, to prevent munitions from reaching the allies such as England, France, and Russia. The U.S. managed to stay out of the war until the Germans forced Woodrow Wilson to abandon his neutrality. The novel is especially fine depicting the domestic lives of Irish, German, and other immigrants, along with their moral and ethical beliefs and prejudices. It is also a fine history of the Hague political machine that dominated New Jersey for decades. This is one of the most rewarding historical novels I've ever read, because it throws luminous light upon global power politics and subterfuges that existed not only early in the 20th Century, but still exist even now, when the United States is no better than its adversaries in spite of all our piety. It is the rare sort of work that educates and enlightens readers even as it entertains them. This is not a book anyone would want to set down. It kept me reading deep into the evening.

Semple artfully weaves historical accuracy with engaging, familiar and sympathetic characters to tell the true but little known tale of German sabotage and terror on US soil during WWI at the munitions depot Black Tom. Semple teaches us about events and principals during this time of world war, and the machinations and denials required for Wilson to keep us out of that "European conflict," through characters familiar to any of us descended from 20th Century American immigrants, whether German, Italian or Irish. I learned about an historic event during an historical significant time for our nation in the world, but I also met characters, both real and fictional, brought alive by Semple's real and engaging dialogue and clearly colorful experiences growing up in Jersey City. In fact I hope Semple continues to tell us about American history in the 20th Century through the voice of his wonderful characters-it is the story of how these immigrants helped make and protect America that is the real story of Semple's book, told in the context of Black Tom, that in our current times of world conflicts and terrorist threats, and increasing calls for US isolationism and prejudice against immigrants, we'd do well to read and remember.

Although most of this book told stories of Jersey City before I was born, I found it interesting. I especially loved it when a place I was familiar with was mentioned in the book. Worth the read for a little history of Jersey City.

My wife saw this book on Facebook and told me about it. When I checked it out for myself and found that it contain history of Jersey City, New Jersey and information about the JCPD I wanted to read it as I was a Police Officer in Jersey City for 25 years. I could see all the places mentioned today as they appear and what I think they would have looked like then. Buy it read it you will enjoy it for the historical people in the book and the story within.

This book is an historical description of the turn of the century, describing the various ethnic groups as precise as possible. The Irish, the Germans, the Italians and others. Being European, I could only appreciate the accurate presentations of every one of them. This book must have taken years of research and then fictionalized. The data are correct. I was not able to put this book down. At times I burst out laughing loudly. This is a book like none other. I recommend it highly.

On the German spies who blew up a dock of explosives in Jersey City now Liberty State Park prior to the US entry into WWI.

A great story of a little known great tragedy of advantage in the Hudson River during WW1 that was instrumental in determining the US in entering the conflict. A great read.

Great story...fact with fiction. Highly recommended!