The Wheelman: How the Slave Robert Smalls Stole a Warship and Became King

His career derailed by the Great Recession Romulus is lucky to land a community-college teaching job. There he meets young African-American Bobby Lewson. Hoping to inspire his student Rom introduces Bobby to the true story of Robert Smalls the South Carolina slave who stole a Confederate warship became a Union Civil War captain fought his way to Congress and became the reputed King of Beaufort County South Carolina. But when Bobby Lewson takes Roms troubled niece as his lover Roms historical novel about Robert Smalls veers out to sea. Rom finds himself exploring Americas racial history his unexpected racial heritage and the racism he never saw in himself. The journey takes him places he never imagined- even to the most-stolen work of art in history.