The Epic Saga of Commodore David Porter
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None So Daring copyright 2007 The Epic Saga of Commodore David Porter by Robert Porter Lynch CONTENTS SYNOPSIS 2 THEMES 3 APPEAL 3 BOOKS & MOVIES 3 STORY BOARD 4 Page 1 None So Daring copyright 2005 By Robert Porter Lynch Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Cell Phone: 401-640-1166 SYNOPSIS None So Daring is the epic saga of one of America’s most dashing heroes. Set between 1790 and 1830, it is the true story of the swashbuckling, visionary, powerful and often volatile Commodore David Porter. Each episode is based on historical evidence. Virtually forgotten to history, this story resurrects, with carefully researched accuracy, the remarkable and fascinating story of a man whose dramatic storybook career is virtually unparalleled in U.S. history for excitement, adventure, romance, and intrigue. Dashing, bold in every stroke, visionary, but hot-headed and impetuous, Commodore Porter’s naval adventures included fighting Arab terrorists in the Mediterranean and clashing with Caribbean pirates like Jean Laffite. Later, his escapades in the War of 1812 in the Pacific struck into the heart of the British Admiralty, triggering their wrath. During this Pacific odyssey, the touching adventures on the voyage of his young adopted son, David Glasgow Farragut, whose will lift the hearts of young and old alike. Porter’s role in bottling up the British fleet after their attack on Washington probably turned the tide of the War of 1812, preserving this nation’s liberty. His passionate and tempestuous love affair with Evalina, a Congressman’s daughter, brought him love, obsession, betrayal, and tragedy. Evalina was a real life Scarlett O’Hara. Living elegantly in their Washington mansion, Meridian Hill, and using her husband’s power and her cunning, together they had widespread influence in Washington politics. While Porter’s daring exploits at sea and his position in Washington brought him both fame and power, he also attracted powerful enemies. After successfully eradicating piracy from the Caribbean (1823-24) he inadvertently became entangled in a power struggle between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams. Commodore Porter, as the most dominant naval figure remaining from the War of 1812, was sideswiped Henry Clay and harshly attacked by John Quincy Adams in what is still considered one of the most tumultuous courts-martial in military history, rivaling Truman’s ouster of Macarthur for its divisiveness to the American people. After his court-martial, the self-exiled Porter became the Chief of Naval Operations for the Mexican navy, where he locked horns with new nemesis, General Santa Ana (later to fight against Crockett at the Alamo), who twice attempted Porter’s assassination, in which the Commodore, in swashbuckling fashion, fought off his attackers with pistols and swords. Later, after Jackson defeated Adams for the Presidency, Porter was appointed the first ambassador to the Middle East. Commodore Porter’s career – heroic and tragic, visionary and pecuniary -- influenced American and world affairs. His sons, David Dixon Porter and David Glasgow Farragut went on to become the most decorated and heroic naval figures of the Civil War. Theodore Roosevelt reputedly patterned his own dashing career after Porter. But this dramatic hero has been largely forgotten, until this historic novel. Page 2 None So Daring copyright 2007 None So Daring is written with the power and passion equal to its main character, with inspiring dialogue, fast-paced action, suspense, romance, tragedy, human fallibility, remarkable lessons in leadership, and petty abuses of power. Heroes, villains, beauty, treachery, and intrigue fill the scenes in a true life story usually found only in fiction. Written in the genre of Melville and Stevenson, this epic saga is comparable with the romantic intrigue of Gone with the Wind, and the powerful intensity of Patton -- Porter was a real-life Rhett Butler and a naval George Patton. Like Patton, he was a spirited and beloved leader at sea, but antagonized by petty politics and in-fighting during peacetime. THEMES In None So Daring, three themes clash in an intricate interplay: 1) Love & Innocence 2) Duty & Honor 3) Power & Politics Each of these themes are fully developed, but each theme also conflicts with one of the other two, creating a captivating contention between values, goals, and desires. AUDIENCE APPEAL Appealing to men and women, as well as children, this compelling story fully embraces “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,” chivalry, heroism, political intrigue, all woven into a romantic fabric of deep love and betrayal. The novel’s broad appeal to a wide audience makes the book an excellent basis for at least one movie and perhaps a mini-series. The novel is being written in a style that will easily lend itself to the screen. BOOKS AND MOVIES Books: The full version book is estimated to be between 500 and 600 pages when complete. Another children’s book comparable to Treasure Island could easily be extracted from the original version. Book Status: Approximately 90% of the research is complete (over 50 books read, and extensive library research) Full-scale writing has begin, with 10% of the writing complete and all chapters outlined. Movie: None So Daring is written in a series of scenes that are easily adapted into two movies: 1) the first spanning from 1790 to 1815, and 2) the second from 1815 to 1830. Another children’s movie is possible by focusing on the scenes with the younger heroes. Website: The website: www.NoneSoDaring.com has been secured. THE AUTHOR Robert Porter Lynch, a descendant of Commodore Porter, is an accomplished author in the business world, having authored two very popular and widely acclaimed books about strategic alliances. He has written chapters in other books and magazines. Robert is an amateur historian and story teller, a graduate of Brown and Harvard Universities, and a former Naval Officer with combat duty in Vietnam. Mr. Lynch is an accomplished public speaker and teaches advanced management courses at several universities. He resides in Naples, Florida. Page 3 None So Daring copyright 2005 STORY BOARD OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTERS All Episodes (except 1.1-1.3) are true and based on Careful Historic Research Chapter 1. GOING TO SEA 1.1 Boy on a Dolphin (1790): A sweeping view of the ocean, focus in on young David Porter, aged 10, riding the bowsprit of his father’s ship, playing with dolphins, bonding with father, who is highly instrumental in instilling critical values. (The powerful images of unfettered boyish joy give credence to the lure of the sea, a lure that can also have a very unpleasant hook, as exemplified in the final scene) 1.2 The Sea as Seductress (1790) Father, the Captain explains to this young boy about working with the sea, not fighting it. Mastering the sea is making it serve you, being sensitive to her ever-changing temperaments, “You must deal with Mother Nature just like you treat any woman. Don’t expect her to be the same every day. You must love her for what she is, not for how you want her to be.” (This scene places the sea in a larger, more complex context that, as he grows, Porter will need to sort out. It is also symbolic of the nature of a woman, who he eventually marries, but never comes to understand) 1.3 Merlin (1790): Captain Porter is a Merlin-like figure whose wisdom is carefully inculcated in young David. The old man’s deep understanding of the ways of the world and probing of questions way before his time give him the aura of an oracle. (Porter is to be faced with a complex, changing, and contradictory world. He grows to be both wise but volatile, which, at times extract him from danger, while at others cast him unnecessarily in harm’s way.) 1.4 The Prison Ship (1780): Imprisoned during the Revolution, Porter’s father was imprisoned in a hell-hole. His experience with near death and his miraculous escape is fascinating and impactful on his son’s future escapes from danger. (The father’s magical capabilities are manifest in how he deals with death, despair, and destruction. Porter’s ability to grasp this real world experience accelerates his own development, and gives him critical tools for future life experiences. Young Porter begins to grasp the larger world in powerful stories and images.) 1.5 Inner Sanctum (1790): Senior Porter’s ship cabin is an intriguing treasure trove of knowledge that is reinforced by his idiosyncratic personality. (The portrait of Porter’s father’s inner world illustrates how both mind and soul have merged into a unified spirit, forming a foundation for his son to lead a unique though flawed life.) 1.6 Home and Mother (1794): The future Commodore was raised by a pious mother who did not want him to go to sea. Ultimately she lets him go in a touching scene of distress and release. (This is the first conflict Porter must face between Love, represented by mother, Honor, represented by father, and Duty, represented by being true to himself) 1.7 Repelling Invaders (1796): This is Porter’s first taste of battle and blood shed. The father is heroic, contrasted to the reprehensible actions of the British. (Porter’s first trial by fire is passed successfully under the leadership & tutelage of his father, who shows he can integrate the roles of both a magician and a warrior.) Page 4 None So Daring copyright 2007 1.8 Impressment & Escape (1796): This scene is a tragic shift from the joys of freedom on the open sea to the horrors of being captured by British, the flogging of fellow American, escape, recapture and final escape.