I have been eagerly awaiting this second instalment in the 'Journals of Matthew Quinton', a sequel to Gentleman Captain, and I wasn't disappointed. As well as being an excellent naval fiction read, the book continues to educate you about the Restoration period in England. Not all Parliamentarians were happy with the return of the King and whilst the Dutch and French were seen as potential enemies, they had given the King and his court a home during their exile leading to many individual friendships. These insights into the social mores and shipboard life from an earlier period than the many Nelsonian books are very refreshing.
This story, based round the historical records of true events (explained in a historical note at the end of the book), takes us from the Mediterranean to England, and then on to Gambia enabling the author to describe that region in the period before British involvement in the slave trade. As before all this is woven into a gripping storyline.
Also to modern readers the power of the King at the time can be surprising and at the end of the book a graphic example of this is seen. This is a book and series I strongly recommend and I look forward to the next book, The Blast That Tears The Skies.
Description of: The Mountain of Gold
Author: J. D. Davies