First-time Falmouth author named finalist in American Book Fest's 2023 Best Book Awards

Falmouth-based author Tamsen Evans George placed as a finalist for her first book, “Allegiance: The Life and Times of William Eustis,” in the U.S. History category at the American Book Fest’s 2023 Best Book Awards.

In “Allegiance: The Life and Times of William Eustis,” George gives a footnoted, detailed history of the life of the commonwealth of Massachusetts’ 11th governor, William Eustis. A largely forgotten historical figure, Eustis played a large role in the country’s history from being a surgeon for George Washington’s Continental Army to being one of the first congressmen in the United States.

George discovered Eustis while working as the executive director for the Shirley-Eustis House Association in Boston in the early 2000s.

“We knew about William Shirley because he was the sort of the last good royal governor and had built the house,” George said. “But all we knew about Eustis was that he had been a doctor and that at the end of his life he was the governor of Massachusetts.”

Intrigued by this relatively unknown historical figure, George wanted to know more about the former governor and just how he had slipped from historical relevance.

First-time Falmouth author named finalist in 2023 Best Book Awards

“I began to find out, sort of roundabout, how involved he was in all different interesting parts of getting this whole country established into a republic,” she said.

At first, George hired someone to do the digging. But after her retirement as executive director, she decided to take over the research.

“I kept getting these odd signs,” she said. “When I retired I started reading Revolutionary War history, but I like to read it from the British side or other ones. So I was reading ‘Aaron Burr’ and Aaron Burr’s biography mentioned Eustis. Then I started to read Benedict Arnold's information and there was William Eustis mentioned and I had no idea he had anything to do with this man.”

“Allegiance: The Life and Times of William Eustis” would take a decade to complete due to the extensive research process and lack of having a set deadline. I asked George why she thought Eustis became an elusive figure in history and she narrowed it down to two key things: a lack of someone to share his stories and his time of death.

“He didn't have an heir,” she said.

Oftentimes, other figures in history had children or they had wives that kept their memories alive, George said. Eustis had a wife that felt that their information was private. "She did not go public with anything,” she said.

Also, right after Eustis died, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died and so they kind of eclipsed the news, George continued.

Being a finalist for the book award

As for being a finalist in the Best Book Awards as a first-time author, George said the email announcement of her placement came as a big surprise knowing historical nonfiction is a wide-ranging genre to break into.

“I'm just still kind of baffled by the whole thing and excited by it,” she said.

Now, George is looking toward the future as she pens her first work of historical fiction, which she hopes to complete by spring.

“I decided it would be more fun to write historical fiction because even though I knew the facts, I could fill in with other characters or another plotline,” George said. “As long as I didn't veer from the true stuff.”

“Allegiance: The Life and Times of William Eustis,” published by Riverhaven Books in 2021, retails for $19.95 on Amazon.

Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at frowley@capecodonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Falmouth author named finalist in 2023 Best Book Awards