Ambition, Arrogance & Pride

Ambition, Arrogance & Pride by Sandra Wagner-Wright takes readers on a wild ride through the lives of the Derby and Crowinshield families, two of the most prominent families in the shipping business in the 18th century. From their successful shipping businesses to their arranged marriages, readers get a glimpse of what life looked like for these families during that time. Mary Derby had always envisioned being a spinster, but her father had other plans. He set her up with George Crowinshield, who was struck by Mary’s beauty and personality and asked her to marry him. Despite her objections, George persisted, much to her family’s delight, and the two were joined in holy matrimony.

What sets Mary’s marriage apart from the norm during that time was the way George treated her. In a male-dominated society where women weren’t given a voice in decision-making, George saw Mary as an equal partner and gave her the respect she deserved. On the other hand, George’s sister Eliza caught the eye of Mary’s brother Hasket, who had big dreams of his own. Eliza, ambitious and unapologetically luxurious, wouldn’t settle for anything less than the highest status in Salem society. Sparks of jealousy flew around after her constant display of wealth after her marriage to Hasket.

Amidst political turmoil and family drama, the families continue to grow, each working toward building the most successful shipping business. The story may be a work of fiction, but it is based on true-life events related to the early families’ thriving privateering shipping business and the American Revolution. Sandra did an excellent job in terms of research and accuracy, with language and specific terms that matched the 18th-century setting, giving the story a dose of historical authenticity. It felt like a ride through American history, with each page offering insight into the customs and way of life of that time.

As someone who enjoys a fast-paced novel, I found the book a bit slow. The romance was subtle, as women were reserved then, and I felt the story dragged on too long. Nevertheless, Ambition, Arrogance & Pride is a great read for lovers of historical fiction. It packs a lot of history and captivating drama between the pages, and readers will be thrilled to learn about a crucial period in American history.

Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and would love to read other books by the author. Sandra Wagner-Wright is an excellent storyteller with a natural flair for historical accuracy and powerful character development.