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Ambition, Arrogance & Pride: Families & Rivals in 18th Century Salem

Ambition, Arrogance & Pride: Families & Rivals in 18th Century Salem

Three Weddings — Two Rival Families

Richard Derby, a young man of modest prospects, made his living at sea until he retired to establish a merchant house. With one exception, his sons followed in his footsteps. Hasket Derby remained in Salem learning the business.

“Sandra Wagner-Wright is an excellent storyteller with a natural flair for historical accuracy and powerful character development.” — Seattle Book Review

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About the Book

Three Weddings — Two Rival Families

Richard Derby, a young man of modest prospects, made his living at sea until he retired to establish a merchant house. With one exception, his sons followed in his footsteps. Hasket Derby remained in Salem learning the business.

Richard’s daughter Mary married George Crowninshield; his son Hasket married George’s sister Eliza. Against the backdrop of tensions between Great Britain and her American colonies, George and Hasket built their trading empires. After Americans gained independence in 1783, their sons sailed everywhere trade took place from the West Indies to the Baltic Sea, from Isle de France to Batavia, India, and China.

Inspired by true events, this is the story of two rival families who made their fortunes in the new United States of America.

Details
Author: Sandra Wagner Wright
Genre: Biographical Fiction
Publication Year: 2023
ASIN: B0C3FHYMNY
ISBN: 9781735413228
“Sandra Wagner-Wright is an excellent storyteller with a natural flair for historical accuracy and powerful character development.” 
“If you love Jane Austin, you will love Sandra Wagner-Wright”
– Reader’s Favorite
“Wagner-Wright’s prose is both engaging and descriptive, and her attention to detail and passion for the families’ history shines through with every word.”
“Wagner-Wright breathes life into the world through the vernacular of the time and rich descriptions of the dress, table settings, and social decorum, developing a vivid view of Colonial America.”
“[A] transportive historical novel of Colonial marriage, shipping, and life.”
“An elaborately detailed period piece packed with intriguing nuggets of history.”
– Kirkus
“The particular attention paid to food, fashion, and high society of the time … will satisfy history buffs and historical fiction readers alike.”
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Sandra Wagner Wright

Sandra Wagner-Wright holds the doctoral degree in history and taught women's and global history at the University of Hawai`i. When she's not researching or writing, Sandra enjoys travel, including trips to India, China, and St. Petersburg, Russia. Sandra particularly likes writing about strong women who make a difference. She lives in Hilo, Hawai`i with her family and writes a weekly blog relating to history, travel, and the idiosyncrasies of life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the page above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."