The Benefactor:: Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction Paperback 1463582293 9781463582296 James A. Wynne

The unique premise of the story line reveals a myriad of somewhat bizarre historic occurrences that truly did take place, against the fictional storyline that binds everything together. It is also a story of loyalty, family bonds, and most of all - friendship. I think that it is age appropriate to middle and high school readers, although I believe adults will also find it fascinating. An example: J.P. Morgan actually had passage booked on the maiden voyage of the Titanic, but cancelled at the very last moment. This bit of anecdotal history has been worked into the plot of the novel. The story takes place during the last decade of the 19th century through the end of World War I. The plot is based on two realities concerning millionaire J. Pierpont Morgan - First, that he sired an illegitimate child and out of guilt gave enough money that the NY Babies Hospital was built, and Second, that Morgan's father had hired a 'substitute' to serve in his son's stead in the Civil War.