Hour of Glory
$ 5.00
Author: Robert Lund
Publisher: Cardinal C-39
Year: 1952 Print: 1 Cover Price: $.35
Condition: Book Grades. Good Plus. Moderate wear. Solid
Genre: Fiction/GGA/Histroical/War
Pages: 368
80126037E
The novel is based on a real, bizarre incident in Guam's history during the Spanish-American War in 1898.
- The Incident: An American cruiser arrives off the coast of Guam to seize the island. Because the isolated Spanish authorities on the island have not received any news of the war breaking out, they mistake the American warships' initial bombardment for a friendly military salute.
- The Plot: The story follows Peter Miller, an American sailor who had previously deserted his ship and integrated into the local Guamanian society. When the American forces easily take control of the un-defended island and depose the Spanish governor, they appoint the long-time resident Miller as the temporary governor.
- The Conflict: The narrative focuses heavily on Miller's sudden rise to power—his "hour of glory"—and his well-intentioned attempts to reform the island's corrupt legal, economic, and social systems. However, he quickly faces severe pushback from the entrenched local elite, the clergy, and the realities of military bureaucracy, leading to an eventual downfall that explores the themes of power, idealism, and imperialism.
