Damned Yankees by Ray Deptula — A Thought-Provoking Tale of Revolution, Identity, and Belonging

MERRITT ISLAND, FL, UNITED STATES, May 2, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ --
“Those who fight their nation’s wars are typically those least able to avoid it.” Ray Deptula’s Damned Yankees plunges readers deep into the tumultuous years of the American Revolution, offering a gripping exploration of personal identity, the complexities of loyalty, and the moral dilemmas that arise in times of national upheaval.

The novel follows John “Jack” Halliday, a young man from Liverpool, England, on a transformative journey to find his place in the world that values him not at all. This quest transports him from the slave trade in Africa to conscription as a British soldier and finally to an officer’s commission in the Colonial Army, where he must continually navigate the swirling political currents that threaten his destruction. Interwoven with the personal journey of Jack, the story reflects the broader struggles of early America’s fight for independence, making the novel both an intimate character study and a sweeping historical narrative.

Deptula brings to life the nuances of 18th-century America with compelling characters and a vivid narrative style. As Jack struggles to survive, he is forced to confront the ideals of freedom, loyalty, and patriotism, as well as human nature’s dark side of greed, deceit and cowardice with an instinctive moral courage that his path forward.

Through sharp, immersive storytelling, Damned Yankees examines the difficult choices that individuals make when faced with duty, friendship and survival. The novel is a reflection on being forced to fight in a world rife with conflicting loyalties, both personal and political.

Set in the rugged wilderness of early America, Deptula’s novel portrays the landscape of the nation’s birth through the entire Revolutionary War that lasted eight years, beginning in Boston and ending in the southern colonies. The author’s deeply researched historical backdrop serves as a powerful meditation on the price of freedom and the moral questions that accompany it.

In Damned Yankees, Ray Deptula offers a layered and thought-provoking narrative that delves into the emotional and moral complexities of revolution, family, and personal ambition.

About the Author
Ray Deptula is a retired naval officer and accomplished writer who has earned recognition for his insightful approach to historical fiction. His deep knowledge of the American Revolutionary period informs his writing, bringing historical events to life with accuracy and emotional depth. Deptula’s work has been praised for its engaging plot and complex character development that courageously tackle themes of identity, conflict, and the human experience to include the colonial treatment of slavery and race.

With a New England upbringing in Maine, Deptula draws inspiration from the region’s rich history and landscape. He is dedicated to crafting stories that both entertain and educate, bringing attention in this book to often-overlooked narratives in colonial history.

Availability & Contact
Damned Yankees is now available in print and digital formats via major online retailers. For review copies, interviews, speaking engagements, or more information, check out the following channels:

Amazon: https://a.co/d/5kvKhip

Ray Deptula
Whitman BookWorks
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