NEW HISTORICAL FICTION NOVEL ‘BARBOURS CUT’ HIGHLY CELEBRATED AT EVENTS
In what is anticipated to be one of the standout historical fiction reads of 2024, ‘Barbours Cut: Beyond the River’s Reach’ by Nancy E. Potter, captures the essence of the American entrepreneurial spirit in the historic South. This compelling novel traces the journey of her great-grandfather, Captain Clyde Barbour, a figure synonymous with resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of vision.
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“This enthralling tale not only entertains but educates…”
Following the remarkable rise of Clyde Barbour, this enthralling tale not only entertains but educates, providing valuable insights into seizing opportunities and navigating life’s complex paths.
“I was roped into the story from the very first page…”
I was roped into the story from the very first page and didn’t want to put it down. Barbours Cut has a great combination of rags-to-riches story, suspense, romance, humor, real human emotion,…
About the Author
Nancy E. Potter
I’m Nancy Potter, and in “Barbours Cut”, I take readers into a fascinating historical experience through a fiction novel that goes back to the saga of Captain Clyde A. Barbour, one of the forerunners in the development of Houston, especially the Houston Ship Channel, a portion of which bears his name today, Barbours Cut and Barbours Terminal.
“Barbours Cut” tells the story of Capt. Clyde A. Barbour, my great-grandfather, who came from humble beginnings and yet was able to use his great creativity and innate intellect to become an extraordinary entrepreneur. He was a true Renaissance man, a great thinker, and an exceptional human being.
Extensive research, interviews, and memorabilia about “Barbours Cut”, some of which date back to the late 1800s, helped me in bringing the scenes and the characters to life.
The Man Behind Barbours Cut Container Terminal
Do you know where the name “Barbours Cut” came from? It was named after the great Captain Clyde A. Barbour who had the foresight to recognize the potential for expanding waterborne commerce within the Houston Ship Channel and help establish a turning point in the supply chain industry for Port Houston.
An engaging story of love and sheer will…
If Clyde Barbour had his way in 1893 at 19 years of age, he would be off his father’s flatboat and in college, but his father still needed his help with the family trading business drifting down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; even so, he was able to propel himself to building thriving enterprises with operations not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and Mexico.
Barbours Cut is based on Clyde’s story. Later known as Capt. Clyde Barbour, he lived a life of adventure and intrigue, including a public horsewhipping, a near-deadly run-in with Pancho Villa (the Mexican revolutionary), a dalliance with a glamorous French opera singer, and a lifelong struggle to protect and uplift the lives of both his serial-philanderer brother and his alcoholic father.
Almost a century following his death, portions of the Houston Ship Channel continue to bear his name (Barbours Cut and Barbours Terminal) and another of his legacies, Oaklawn Manor on Bayou Teche in Franklin, LA, still stands in the grandeur to which he restored it.
The author, Nancy Potter, is Capt. Barbour’s great-granddaughter. In her richly detailed period piece, her vivid descriptions and relatable characters make for a delightful read.
Barbours Cut is an engaging story of love and sheer will – the love of women, business, art, and architecture and the sheer will to forge the life Clyde had envisioned since he was a boy living on a flatboat. Barbours Cut will keep you engrossed, wanting more, and eager to read the sequel.
Riverboat captain Clyde A. Barbour’s early life on the Mississippi River calls to mind the adventures of that most famous riverboat pilot, Mark Twain. Like Twain, Capt. Barbour envisioned a life for himself far beyond the river’s reach.
The Barbour Family
Clyde’s grandpa, William Barbour, having graduated from college in Ireland, helped set Clyde on a lifelong path of intellectual curiosity and a love of learning that led to his great financial success. In books, Clyde discovered a whole world that he wanted to experience. He decided early on that he would make a better life for himself and his future family, and he worked tirelessly to leave a legacy for them.
In this family photo, Clyde and Jennie, my great-grandparents, are seated up front. My mother is the baby on Jennie’s lap, and my grandparents, Lilly and Tom, are the last two on the right!
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About Barbours Cut
If Clyde Barbour had his way in 1893 at 19 years of age, he would be off his father’s flatboat and in college, but his father still needed his help with the family trading business drifting down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; even so, he was able to propel himself to building thriving enterprises with operations not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and Mexico.
Barbours Cut is based on Clyde’s story. Later known as Captain Clyde Barbour, he lived a life of adventure and intrigue, including a public horsewhipping, a near-deadly run-in with Pancho Villa (the Mexican revolutionary), a dalliance with a glamorous French opera singer, and a lifelong struggle to protect and uplift the lives of both his serial-philanderer brother and his alcoholic father.