Honor and Destiny recounts Thomas Walker’s experiences as a youth in the War of 1812. Thomas’ story is also America’s story, a story of principle and patriotism, conflict and compassion, as the young man and the young nation face existential trials and learn essential lessons, enabling them to prove their honor and achieve their destiny.

The story begins when Thomas’ uncle asks the Nashville youth to join him as his aide as Uncle goes to Congress. Time and setting being significant characters in the novel, the trip to Washington, by land and by sea, is told with significant historical detail over several chapters: Thomas and Uncle ride the Natchez Trace, ferry across the Tennessee, visit a Chickasaw village, and explore the wilderness, all the while learning about each other; they travel the Mississippi, visit New Orleans, and sail to Charleston and up the Potomac, facing down British tyranny, confronting hard realities of the slave trade, and admiring Mount Vernon, the home of Thomas’ hero.

In Washington, Thomas lives in the War Mess with Henry Clay and other “War Hawks” from the South and West. Thomas witnesses public debates and private intrigues as the U.S. careens toward war and joins in a secret meeting at the White House with national leaders, including President James Madison.

With war declared, Congress recesses and Thomas’ personal life becomes the focus. He moves to Alexandria and lives with an inspiring minister who teaches him valuable lessons about following his calling. He attends school where a brilliant teacher instructs him in political theory. Thomas and his classmates become friends and rivals. At church, Thomas finds Alice, the future love of his life.

As years pass, Thomas attends Mrs. Madison’s soirees and Mr. Madison’s second inauguration. He vicariously experiences defeats and victories of the war. He debates the war with classmates. And Thomas and Alice dance at a cotillion.

But while love ripens, other parts of Thomas’ life crumble. Congress fractures over the war and Thomas’ brother is wounded in battle. In a moment-by-moment retelling, he watches the British burn Washington. It seems all will be lost. As Thomas reflects on the disaster, the book’s themes of unity and finding understanding come into clearer focus.

With the capital destroyed, Thomas is ordered home but his return is interrupted as he becomes a courier for General Andrew Jackson and fights in the Battle of New Orleans.

Victory in New Orleans brings peace, and peace brings closure: a united America can pursue its destiny to the west, while Thomas, now a man, returns east to fulfill his own.