Award-finalist author Josee Clerens creates a vivid, colorful narrative, as international negotiators, spies, and heads of state mingle with bandits, whores, and bumbling local officials - spinning a tale whose outcome permanently changes the American continent. BUYING LOUISIANA recounts one of the most critical events in the history of the United States - the purchase of the vast Louisiana Territory - with style, "on the spot" realism and wit. But this is no dry history book. Rather, it's an exciting, suspenseful novel that just happens to be based on factual accounts, narrated by an "eyewitness" who puts you in the middle of the action. And what a story What a cast of characters - by an author whose work has been described as "wonderful" (the late Quentin Crisp) and ""beguiling" (Genevieve Young, Readers Digest Books). Fall, 1802: Spain, owner of the Louisiana territory, closes the port of New Orleans. Americans are furious - they can no longer ship their goods past the mouth of the Mississippi. Meanwhile, in France, Bonaparte tries to bamboozle Spain out of this vast colony. Spain stalls. Bonaparte sends troops to secure the port for France. The United States is thrown into a crisis rapidly approaching the bursting point. Enter President Thomas Jefferson . . . More info at www.BuyingLouisiana.com