This section contains reviews of books by David Hayes and members of the forum
Review: The Fleet in the Forest by Carl D. Lane
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- Created on Sunday, 17 July 2011
- By David Hayes
This story is based around the naval campaign on Lake Erie during the war of 1812. Written from the American perspective, the principle character is a young shipyard apprentice and the book follows him as he matures. There is initially some privateer action in the Atlantic but until the climactic naval battle on the lake most of the story is land based, about the hardships those building the fleet faced and gives an insight into frontier life at the time.
Whilst for dedicated naval fiction fans not much time is spent afloat this does not detract from a very well written story with strong characterisations.
Review: Scarborough Fair by Chris Scott Wilson
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- Created on Saturday, 16 July 2011
- By David Hayes
Whilst I have seen many references to books that feature the career of John Paul Jones this is the first fictionalised view of part of his career that I have read.
The book starts with him in Paris, shortly after he has given up the command of Ranger, and follows the political manoeuvres in France that led to his command of the Bonhomme Richard and a small squadron as Commodore.
It then explores the early phase of his command, including a mutiny and the lack of support from some of his subordinate French captains, and finally the book moves to it's climax at the Battle of Flamborough Head, explored from both the American and British perspective.
Richard Spilman Review: Cut and Run by Alaric Bond
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- Created on Saturday, 16 July 2011
- By Richard Spilman
Originally published on the The Old Salt Blog
Alaric Bond’s wonderful new book, Cut and Run, the fourth in his Fighting Sail series, steps away from the Royal Navy and takes us onto the decks of a merchantman – a ship of the Honorable East India Company. The ships of the “John Company,” as the HEIC was colloquially known, were the connective tissue of the empire, carrying trade goods and merchants outbound and bringing back the riches of the India and China to England. In a time of war, these ships were also a virtual treasure trove for enemy privateers.
In Cut and Run, Royal Navy Lieutenant Tom King finds himself on the beach, on half pay. The frigate, HMS Pandora, on which he served so valiantly in the Battle of Camperdown (see our review of True Colours) is being refit and her captain has gone ashore to consider a run for parliament. Lacking money and connections, Lt. King decides to take a position as an officer of the Pevensey Castle, a ship of the Honorable East India Company. He is joined by Robert Manning, a surgeon’s mate from the Pandora, and his new wife Kate, who has arranged a position as purser’s assistant on the Indiaman.
Alaric Bond Review: Surgeon's Mate by Linda Collison
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- Created on Wednesday, 29 June 2011
- By Alaric Bond
Now here is a refreshing change; a well written book that sees our genre from a completely different angle. Many different angles, actually...
The world of the title's surgeon's mate is naturally far removed from that of great cabins, commanding officers and quarterdeck conversations. Instead we get the grittiness of the lower deck and orlop; sea wives, petty officers and seamen, while news of the ships position and purpose comes mainly by scuttlebutt and hearsay. The characters and conditions are well drawn, and there is sufficient explanation to keep the narrative alive, without resorting to lengthy descriptive passages that inevitably slow the pace. Nautical detail is also good; you feel yourself in the charge of a competent writer who truly understands the subject and is willing to share.
Review: Acre by Tom Grundner
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- Created on Friday, 24 June 2011
- By David Hayes
As the title makes clear this novel is based around the Siege of Acre which was an important milestone in the career of the hero of this series Sir Sidney Smith. The focus of the book shifts between three points of view, Smith's activities, Napoleon's activities and Nelson at Naples revealing a wealth of detail from the historic record.
It is often true that truth is stranger than fiction and if you ever require evidence of that you only have to read this novel and the author's detailed historical notes at the end. Smith is defending Acre with no support from his seniors and ,as a sailor, actually defeats Napoleon, something the land generals had not achieved and would not for many years to come. Napoleon displayed a callous streak towards prisoners and his own wounded and the nation's favourite, Nelson, seemed to totally loose himself in Naples.
Review: Leave the Gallows Hungry by Stanley Wilson
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- Created on Thursday, 16 June 2011
- By David Hayes
Leave the Gallows Hungry - First Fleet to Australia is, as the title indicates, about the first fleet to Australia and as such can be split into three sections. Approximately the first quarter is set in the UK as the characters are introduced, the middle at sea on a convict transport and the final quarter after the arrival.
The principal characters are Apothecary Jonathan Pettifer and his young lady Margaret Dunne, both sentenced to transportation. They interact with a wide range of well rounded disparate characters from among their fellow convicts, the crew, Marine guards etc. As well as giving you a feel for the deprivations of the voyage and hardships after landing, using an apothecary enabled the author to introduce a lot of information about the medical profession of the times not usually appearing in nautical books.
But the real strength of the book is those characters. Once you pick it up it is hard to put down again as you want to know what happens to them next. Recommended