Magnolia Grove: The Story of Rear Admiral Richmond Pearson Hobson concerns a charismatic American whose colorful life at the beginning of the 20th century reflected the rapidly changing politics and romance of his time.In 1898, when the Spanish American War was not going well for the US, Hobson survived a "suicide mission", sinking the Merrimac in an ironically failed attempt to block Santiago Harbor in Cuba, and was instantly hailed as a hero. But unlike a stereotypical hero, he proved to be a complicated man, with controversial political beliefs. He attracted as much criticism as praise.
In part, this was because he was a Southerner involved with highly controversial issues, such as civil rights, women's suffrage, and prohibition. His personal life was filled with romance and disillusionment. To many, he was a naive political genius - an American Nostradamus, predicting political changes well before they became reality. To others, he was an egoist who stepped on more than a few toes (including two President Roosevelts') to push his causes and his own political career.
Richmond Pearson Hobson was highly honored, yet he is unknown to the majority of Americans.
