Reviews Written By: A6854SLB33FDBprovided by Amazon.com |
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 | Wake of the Perdido Star | |
 | "Not a bad first effort" | 2005-03-22 |
| Reminiscent of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin and Julian Stockwin's Kydd/Renzi in the pairing of the intellectual LeMaire with the man of action O'Reilly, it is also set in the same period, albeit American- rather than European-based. We follow half-caste Jack's progression from mild-mannered teenager to ruthless pirate on a mission to eradicate slavers and avenge his parent's death and dishonour. In a mixture of 'Swiss family Robinson' and 'Captain Blood', the Perdido Star, captained by a crazed drunkard, is wrecked on a desert island, having made heavy weather of rounding the Horn. Neighbouring islanders, salvaged materials and the ingenuity of the survivors combine to provide a comfortable semblance of home, which is rudely shattered by the appearance of a Dutch VOC ship collecting human 'cargo'. Jack is persuaded by circumstances and his friend Paul that the only way to right the wrongs of the world is to take action - and there is action aplenty in this gripping, although slightly pulpy, first novel from Hackman & Lenihan. Well-drawn characters and an intriguing plot combine to make a story to rival the best in the genre. | ||
 | The Safeguard of the Sea: A Naval History of Britain 660-1649 | |
 | "Brilliant." | 2005-03-22 |
| Having read Professor Rodger's excellent 'Wooden World' I was expecting much of the same and was not disappointed - this is an impeccably researched and erudite alternative history of England and its French dominions, which puts the naval element into full perspective . Absolutely chock-full of notes and references, this nontheless flows as well as any historical novel, highlighting the hitherto unseen good and bad points of the various rulers of the day, and the key role that naval support provided, giving a new slant on history and politics. There are more twists and turns to the story than any TV soap could possibly invent. What comes across loud and clear is the futility of war: the waste of money and resources in the pursuit of expansion is illustrated by the singular lack of success by all parties to make any substantial territorial gains - French, Dutch, Flemish, Scots or Scandinavian. Imbedded in the politics is a reasoned overview of the development of the ship; from longboat and cog, through galley, hulk and caravel to the rise of the 3-masted ship-rigged vessel which came to dominate naval warfare in the following 200 years. The gradual change from supply and support vessel to an active ingredient of the war machine develops as technology improves, and the viability of funding a navy become more financially and logistically sound. As one might expect from a work of this scope, the text is rounded off with a conclusion condensing the preceding 1000 years into a précis with the author's informed slant. There are 5 appendices (chronology, ships, fleets, pay & officials), a large reference, glossary, abbreviations and a huge bibliography. For a complete overview of the mediaeval history of the British Isles, you can't go far wrong with this excellent book. Then read the follow-up - twice as large, covering a third of the time. ***** | ||
 | Wake of the Perdido Star: A Novel | |
| "Not a bad first effort" | 2005-03-22 |
| Reminiscent of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin and Julian Stockwin's Kydd/Renzi in the pairing of the intellectual LeMaire with the man of action O'Reilly, it is also set in the same period, albeit American- rather than European-based. We follow half-caste Jack's progression from mild-mannered teenager to ruthless pirate on a mission to eradicate slavers and avenge his parent's death and dishonour. In a mixture of 'Swiss family Robinson' and 'Captain Blood', the Perdido Star, captained by a crazed drunkard, is wrecked on a desert island, having made heavy weather of rounding the Horn. Neighbouring islanders, salvaged materials and the ingenuity of the survivors combine to provide a comfortable semblance of home, which is rudely shattered by the appearance of a Dutch VOC ship collecting human 'cargo'. Jack is persuaded by circumstances and his friend Paul that the only way to right the wrongs of the world is to take action - and there is action aplenty in this gripping, although slightly pulpy, first novel from Hackman & Lenihan. Well-drawn characters and an intriguing plot combine to make a story to rival the best in the genre. | ||
 | The Privateersman | |
| "2nd in this series." | 2005-03-06 |
| Second in a series by the excellent Richard Woodman that never quite took off in the same way that the Nathaniel Drinkwater series has. Set in an earlier time of the mid 17th Century, Kite is an entrepreneur and businessman rather than the confirmed navy type, and this reflects in the flow of the story; there is not the same action and pace, although there is plenty of intrigue. Kite is now a partner in an established shipping firm, but cholera is on the loose ... Stunned by the loss of his son and the fetish suicide of his wife, Kite is galvanised into action by the news of a conspiracy by his erstwhile colleagues. Little realising the extent of the censure arising from his marriage to a black princess, he handed control of his business to his partner, who was secretly in dire pecuniary straits. The partner's death played into the hands of his creditors who are about to fleece Kite, who, thanks to a loyal employee, spikes their guns. As always with Mr Woodman, a worthwhile read from a man who is steeped in the romance of the sea. **** | ||
 | The Guineaman | |
| "Another great book from Woodman." | 2005-03-06 |
| First in a series by the excellent Richard Woodman that never quite took off in the same way that the Nathaniel Drinkwater series has. Kite is a man on the run from a false charge of murder, who ships aboard a guineaman - a slave ship bound for the west coast of Africa as surgeon. What he witnesses during the voyage shocks him so much that he develops a conscience that doesn't allow the use of slaves in his business - to the extent that he marries a black princess, much to the horror and censure of his friends and colleagues. Setting up shop in the W Indies on the fringes of the 7 Year's War, Kite weathers intolerance and nature's forces in a fast-paced, rollicking tale that continues in 'Privateersman'. As always with Mr Woodman, a worthwhile read from a man who is steeped in the romance of the sea. **** | ||
 | The Privateersman | |
| "2nd in this series." | 2005-03-06 |
| Second in a series by the excellent Richard Woodman that never quite took off in the same way that the Nathaniel Drinkwater series has. Set in an earlier time of the mid 17th Century, Kite is an entrepreneur and businessman rather than the confirmed navy type, and this reflects in the flow of the story; there is not the same action and pace, although there is plenty of intrigue.
Kite is now a partner in an established shipping firm, but cholera is on the loose ... Stunned by the loss of his son and the fetish suicide of his wife, Kite is galvanised into action by the news of a conspiracy by his erstwhile colleagues. Little realising the extent of the censure arising from his marriage to a black princess, he handed control of his business to his partner, who was secretly in dire pecuniary straits. The partner's death played into the hands of his creditors who are about to fleece Kite, who, thanks to a loyal employee, spikes their guns. As always with Mr Woodman, a worthwhile read from a man who is steeped in the romance of the sea. **** | ||
 | The Hunting of the Last Dragon | |
| "A beautiful, haunting story." | 2005-03-05 |
| Written down word for word by a monk under a vow of silence, as recounted by the unwilling hero Jude, this is a tale of England at the time of the Black Death, heavy with moral overtones, life's lessons, and insight into peasant life, as Jude tries to make sense of all that is happening around him.
Pity, compassion and a sense of justice compel him to set free a strange fairground freak, befriend and heal her, then together they rid the land of the terrible creature that plagues it. In doing so, Jude discovers how fear turns to hate, greed to cruelty, and friendship to love. As well as finding his inner strength and self-worth, he discovers that beauty is mostly inside and in the eye of the beholder. Although simply and archaicly written, the narrative flows, carrying one along with the adventure, immersed in the plot. In the accompanying (sometimes bawdy) descriptions we learn a little cultural and social history, as well as what made the mediaeval mind tick. What takes a little getting used to are the stilted, one-sided conversations with the silent scribe who's been instructed to 'copy every word', that preface each chapter - but it adds a certain charm to this lovely, addictive book. ***** | ||
 | The Hunting of the Last Dragon | |
| "A beautiful, haunting story. " | 2005-03-05 |
| Written down word for word by a monk under a vow of silence, as recounted by the unwilling hero Jude, this is a tale of England at the time of the Black Death, heavy with moral overtones, life's lessons, and insight into peasant life, as Jude tries to make sense of all that is happening around him.
Pity, compassion and a sense of justice compel him to set free a strange fairground freak, befriend and heal her, then together they rid the land of the terrible creature that plagues it. In doing so, Jude discovers how fear turns to hate, greed to cruelty, and friendship to love. As well as finding his inner strength and self-worth, he discovers that beauty is mostly inside and in the eye of the beholder. Although simply and archaicly written, the narrative flows, carrying one along with the adventure, immersed in the plot. In the accompanying (sometimes bawdy) descriptions we learn a little cultural and social history, as well as what made the mediaeval mind tick. What takes a little getting used to are the stilted, one-sided conversations with the silent scribe who's been instructed to 'copy every word', that preface each chapter - but it adds a certain charm to this lovely, addictive book. ***** | ||
 | Seaflower | |
| "This series gets better with each book." | 2005-02-19 |
| This is a detailed account of shipboard life in the late 18thC from the foremast Jack's perspective:- cramped conditions, disgusting food, undeserved punishment and unremitting toil. Sensitive writing and deft plot handling continue the good work started in 'Kydd' and Artemis'. But, where 'Artemis' seemed to be a vehicle for establishing Kydd's commitment to the sea and his improvement in both nautical and social niceties, 'Seaflower' is packed with action on both land and sea. In almost every sort of boat under every sort of captain, Kydd and Renzi suffer the highs and lows of life in the Caribbean - hurricanes, disease, self-loathing and shipwreck, as well as friendship, family, promotion and self-esteem. Mr. Stockwin gets better with each book, his sea-knowledge comes across loud and clear. Combined with his personal research into the locations produces a highly-believable account of little-known events in the most volatile period in British naval history. There follows a taster of the next book 'Mutiny', and, as we have come to expect in this genre, a historical note outlining the facts behind the fiction. As good as it gets. ***** | ||
 | The New Scroll Saw Handbook | |
| "A must-have!" | 2005-02-19 |
| Synopsis (quote) The world's leading scroll saw expert offers a masterful comprehensive reference covering the equipment, materials, and artistry, from time-honoured methods to critiques of the latest machines and accessories. A bestseller in its classic first edition for 15 years, the guide's massive technical updates and new sections make an even more valuable contribution, with simplified instructions on ways to apply the latest innovations and how to make the best projects from the past even better. Sections on current models and major parts of the scroll saw; accessories; how to select a saw; blades, speeds, & feeds; safety techniques & guidelines; patterns & layout; scroll-sawing basics; stack-cutting & cutting thick wood; sawing thin & small stock; compound sawing; inlay work; marquetry basics; fine fretwork; appliques & overlays; joinery; sawing plastics; sawing metals; segmentation & intarsia; finishing basics. The synopsis above says it all, but what it doesn't say is how readable and informative it is. I first saw the early edition of this book at my uncle's, and spent the entire evening engrossed in it, to the dismay of my wife and aunt, but delight of my uncle. Subsequently I purchased the new updated version, and was pleasantly surprised at how many of the modern saws were included and appraised. Although American, so are the majority of the designs in your major Hardware Store (even if they're actuallly produced in China or Taiwan). The history of the scroll saw is given, with plenty of pictures of the various makes, showing improvements and simplifications to the basic design. Then we get the theory and mechanics of scroll sawing and why some designs are better and/or more or less expensive than others - what you get for your money, in short. The book manages to avoid the trap of 'designs that any idiot can make', instead detailing the whole gamut of techniques, blades, jigs and materials to enable one to produce anything from the simplest to the most complex, professional-looking piece of work. Loaded with hints, tips, Dos&Dont's, this is a must-buy for all woodwork/filigree enthusiasts. ***** | ||
 | Artemis | |
| "Up there with the best" | 2005-01-31 |
| Sensitive writing and deft plot handling continue the good work started in 'Kydd'. The pairing of down-to-earth Kydd with the intellectual Renzi reminds one of Aubrey and Maturin in the O'Brian series and the literary edge it gives to those books. On page 8 there is a neat piece of homage to Patrick O'Brian when, to Renzi's stunned amazement, the crew casually swig premier cru Haut Brion like it was common blackstrap. After the humdrum life on 'Duke William', Kydd and his mates are transferred to the 32-gun frigate Artemis, where he immediately finds action in a bloody one-to-one battle with an adversary of similar size. On a high with excitement and adulation after the success, Kydd is brought sharply back to earth by his sister's news of their father's failing eyesight. Seeing his dreams crumbling around him, he returns home - gutted, and is slowly succumbing to apathy when Renzi appears, galvanizing him into action with a plan which promises to put all to rights. Kydd is soon off to sea again on a secret mission, where a sensitively-written romantic interlude suddenly evolving into entrapment is handled by Kydd grasping it like a nettle. Renzi's reaction to this interlude leaves us wondering if his friendship with Kydd is all it seems on the surface, or are there suppressed desires beneath? Kydd is roused from his introspection by promotion and an unexpected visit to the South Seas, where Renzi's sexuality is established, but his ideals of the 'noble savage' are dispelled in a horrific way. The voyage home is beset by problems, culminating in a real cliff-hanger - followed by a taster of the next book 'Seaflower', and, as we have come to expect in this genre, a historical note outlining the facts behind the fiction. This is up there with the best. **** | ||
 | Artemis: A Novel | |
| "Up there with the best" | 2005-01-31 |
| Sensitive writing and deft plot handling continue the good work started in 'Kydd'. The pairing of down-to-earth Kydd with the intellectual Renzi reminds one of Aubrey and Maturin in the O'Brian series and the literary edge it gives to those books. On page 8 there is a neat piece of homage to Patrick O'Brian when, to Renzi's stunned amazement, the crew casually swig premier cru Haut Brion like it was common blackstrap. After the humdrum life on 'Duke William', Kydd and his mates are transferred to the 32-gun frigate Artemis, where he immediately finds action in a bloody one-to-one battle with an adversary of similar size. On a high with excitement and adulation after the success, Kydd is brought sharply back to earth by his sister's news of their father's failing eyesight. Seeing his dreams crumbling around him, he returns home - gutted, and is slowly succumbing to apathy when Renzi appears, galvanizing him into action with a plan which promises to put all to rights. Kydd is soon off to sea again on a secret mission, where a sensitively-written romantic interlude suddenly evolving into entrapment is handled by Kydd grasping it like a nettle. Renzi's reaction to this interlude leaves us wondering if his friendship with Kydd is all it seems on the surface, or are there suppressed desires beneath? Kydd is roused from his introspection by promotion and an unexpected visit to the South Seas, where Renzi's sexuality is established, but his ideals of the 'noble savage' are dispelled in a horrific way. The voyage home is beset by problems, culminating in a real cliff-hanger - followed by a taster of the next book 'Seaflower', and, as we have come to expect in this genre, a historical note outlining the facts behind the fiction. This is up there with the best. **** | ||
 | The Sea Warriors: The Fighting Captains and Their Ships in the Age of Nelson | |
| "History of George III's Navy." | 2005-01-14 |
| Considering the scope of its content, this book is remarkably compact; if any accusation can be made, it's that there is too much information ... Mr.Woodman manages to squeeze in details of almost every naval commander (including many rarely-seen portraits) and their exploits without repeating himself or losing one's interest. The downside is that his usually fluid literary style is curtailed somewhat, and the barrage of different names can be a little confusing at times. However, by giving us a comprehensive history of Britain's finest (and a few non-British), we see exactly where O'Brian, Lunn, Lambdin, Forester et al (incl. Woodman!) got their material and inspiration from ... recognising most of the actions, with names changed, in many of their books. Nor is the action much diminished by reasons of space; the thrill of the chase and the bloody battles are all there, one following hard on the heels of the last, complete with the political and logistical rationale driving the events at sea and on land. One fact stands out from the rest:- the huge disparity in the numbers of killed and injured between the British and European forces, French losses often 5 times or more than the British, doubtless due to the French predilection for firing high, more than the British rate of fire. This superb book illustrates exactly how and why Britain's Navy became master of the oceans - what a reference book! This is history the way it should be told. | ||
 | A Journal of the Plague Year: Being Observations or Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurrences, As Well Public Asb. E. Nicholson, Text by Frank H. | |
| "Rare record of a terrible year." | 2005-01-08 |
| This fictionalised journal (written decades after the event when Defoe was only 5 years old) argues its case better by a bald statement of facts, than by any elaborate literary devices. This reads like it is meant to be, a journal, bringing home the horrors of that awful time in a way that a second-hand description could never do. Having said that, this account IS second-hand; it is only Defoe's journalistic expertise, boyhood memories and down-to-earth style that make it so believable. BUT - anyone who reads this should not expect another Gulliver's Travels - it IS heavy going; it's not a book that one can curl up with & relax, you have to work for your entertainment. The main point that comes across is the constant religious undercurrent, which was, I guess, typical of the time (if not of Defoe) and the willingness to attach blame for anything unusual to outsiders, or God's will, rather than examine their own circumstances (so what's changed in 339 years!?). As one of the few records of that terrible year, this deserves a place on any amateur historian's bookshelf. | ||
 | The Billy Ruffian : The Bellerophon and the Downfall of Napoleon | |
| "Unusual biography" | 2005-01-08 |
| Instead of the usual biography of a famous captain or battle, Mr. Cordingly treats us to the life of a famous ship of the line - Bellerophon. From a protracted birth in the slips of the Medway, through the highs and lows of the American and European wars, to an ignominious return to her birthplace, we read the history of the Georgian Navy as written by her commanders, officers and crew, The author's painstaking research of the Admiralty records and Naval chronicles breathes life into what could have been a simple catalog of events and postings ... first-hand accounts, log-books and extracts from letters flesh out the bare bones of ports and locations, while the background of contemporary historical events puts Bellerophon's role into full perspective - this is the real stuff that Forester and O'Brian drew on to create their adventures. Why Bellerophon? There are plenty of other famous ships, but none had the fortune to engineer the collection and safe conduct of the most famous and wanted man in the world from his enemies in France. This was to be the high point of a long and distinguished career, as immediately afterwards she was decommissioned and spent her last 21 years as a prison hulk. An informative and absorbing read. | ||
 | A Journal of the Plague Year (Modern Library Classics) | |
| "Rare record of a terrible year." | 2005-01-08 |
| This fictionalised journal (written decades after the event when Defoe was only 5 years old) argues its case better by a bald statement of facts, than by any elaborate literary devices. This reads like it is meant to be, a journal, bringing home the horrors of that awful time in a way that a second-hand description could never do. Having said that, this account IS second-hand; it is only Defoe's journalistic expertise, boyhood memories and down-to-earth style that make it so believable. BUT - anyone who reads this should not expect another Gulliver's Travels - it IS heavy going; it's not a book that one can curl up with & relax, you have to work for your entertainment. The main point that comes across is the constant religious undercurrent, which was, I guess, typical of the time (if not of Defoe) and the willingness to attach blame for anything unusual to outsiders, or God's will, rather than examine their own circumstances (so what's changed in 339 years!?). As one of the few records of that terrible year, this deserves a place on any amateur historian's bookshelf. | ||
 | 8 Men and a Duck : An Improbable Voyage by Reed Boat to Easter Island | |
| "Sailing in Heyerdahl's wake." | 2003-05-31 |
| A chance remark, and Nick Thorpe bluffs his way onto an expedition to support Thor Heyerdahl's theory that Easter Island was originally colonised by Amerindians prior to the wave of Polynesians. When he discovers that the crew has no navigator and minimal sailing experience, he is intrigued rather than disillusioned and he throws himself wholeheartedly into the project. The same cannot be said of other members, or the organiser, who couldn't organise a binge in a brewery. Accusations of cheating from a rival deflate morale so much, they are in danger of missing the favourable winds. The vitriolic attack also undermines his support and funding and endangers the credibility of the whole exercise. Thankfully, all obstacles are overcome, so there is only the voyage to complete. This is almost a shambles, due to the lackadaisical captain and the gung-ho exploits of some of the crew. Boredom, superstition and deep-seated prejudices provide fuel for some 'interesting' episodes. | ||
 | The Flying Squadron | |
| "More espionage on the high seas." | 2003-05-14 |
| Richard Woodman has spent most of his life at sea, is an eminent Naval historian and the author of several books on Naval history, plus many fictional books. This background and a superb command of the English language make his books a joy to read. His intimate knowledge of square-riggers takes you inside the ship - you are THERE with the crew, battling the elements or the enemy, feeling each blow. This book expands on the theme of the struggle against Napoleon, plus the new threat from the fledgling United States. After a few months R&R, Nat finds himself in command of a crack squadron with a remit to dissuade the US from assisting France. This involves some dissembling on Nat's part - incidentally assisted by an amorous interlude - which causes Nat a torment of conscience, and his colleagues to have doubts about his sanity. The subsequent astounding success of the mission restores his colleages' faith in his uncanny ability to correctly analyse a confusing array of facts and supposition. This book is in 3 parts, and each could stand alone, but the constant US thread running through them ties it into one story. As usual, excellent descriptions and tension-building make the pages fly by - and the author's notes fill in the facts behind the tale. A series to read, savour and re-read.***** | ||
 | The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies | |
| "The creation of a new language of science and art." | 2003-04-04 |
| A young man, obsessed with clouds and their formation, makes a detailed study of them. All this has been done before, but never in such a concise, visionary way, nor with a naming convention as brilliant in its simplicity, expressiveness and utility as Luke Howard's. His story is dealt with in a series of chapters that digress from the main thrust of the book to outline the history of the philosophical changes that were taking place, in Europe particularly. Almost any cockeyed idea found a ready audience, who were equally ready to dismiss ideas out-of-hand. The trick was presentation. Many of the famous names in science at the end of the 18th century were showmen, financing their researches by giving displays or private shows... getting your name known was half the battle. Philosophical societies and journals were in their infancy, and were ready to embrace anyone who could increase membership or circulation. This was the chance, and in an hour-long presentation, young Howard captivated his audience and introduced a naming system for clouds, which is still in use today, 200 years on. This was what meteorology had been waiting for - a standard method of logging cloud formations. This was invaluable too for poets and writers, who suddenly found a new addition to their descriptive vocabulary. Small wonder that cirrus, cumulus and nimbus quickly entered everyday conversation (the Englishman's main topic being the weather). The book is very well written, giving us a feel for the social, political and philosophical climate in the Napoleonic era. By various pertinent descriptions of people and events directly and indirectly connected with Howard, we are introduced to some of the greats of the Age of Enlightenment; but none of it feels contrived or beside the point, nor is it ever boring. This is an enthralling read, illustrating how easily a single person or idea can change the direction and thrust of a science... Well worth reading. | ||
 | The Justification of Johann Gutenberg by Blake Morrison, ISBN 0066210887 | |
| "'He found it goosequill and left it metal'" | 2003-02-23 |
| The life of the man who revolutionised book production and arguably gave rise to The Renaissance - for without an easy means of spreading knowledge, how can science advance? The book is written in the style of a man in his near-blind, bitter old age dictating to his young scribe, so it has that detached feel to it and a relatively stilted delivery. However, this is not unpleasing or intrusive, rather, it gives the book an appeal that it may have lacked if told in the third person as a story, rather than as a biography. It also enables him to speak his mind (as old men do), rationalising his youthful actions as 'justification' of the end result - the greatest invention since the wheel - and at the same time decrying those who wished to benefit unjustly from his industry. The bones of the book are true - there is some information on Gutenberg's life - but the bulk of the tale is necessarily invention by the author. A very pleasant read.***. | ||
 | Travels in West Africa by Mary H. Kingsley, ISBN 0486424901 | |
| "A classic of travel writing." | 2002-12-31 |
| Single and independent, with a small allowance after the death of her parents, Mary Kingsley decides to explore Africa. She sets off to the Congo, with no entourage nor special clothing and with no knowledge of the local lingo, knowing that this area was renowned for cannibals. Considering that Richard Burton set off to find the centre of Africa with an entourage of 600 bearers puts Ms.Kingsley's trip into perspective. This is not just a wishful fantasy, she has an agenda to research the fetish cults of the natives and collect animal specimens, as well as fulfil the wanderlust that she had bottled up while looking after her parents. She takes everything in her stride, beating off crocodiles - 'he was only a pushing young creature', wading through fetid swamps, falling into a staked animal trap and attributing her salvation to the benefits of a good thick woollen skirt! She has a wonderful way with words; that dry, laconic humour that starts one into fits of giggling; the page-long description of 'Hubbards' sent out by well-meaning, misguided women in Europe for the use of the natives is absolutely wonderful. She has excellent communication skills, getting what she wants from any native by offering him exactly what he wants - tobacco (reminding us of Xabicheh in 'Dead Man') - and if he doesn't want that, then he must need a hairpin to clean out his pipe! I am awed by the determination, bravery, guts and chutzpah of this young woman; even more awed by her writing skills - which are definitely not in the Victorian mold, would that there were more of her books than the two she wrote (the other is 'West African Studies'), sadly this was not to be, as she died of typhoid in Capetown in 1900. A book to savour - highly recommended! ***** | ||
 | The Bomb Vessel | |
| "4th in this gripping series" | 2002-10-31 |
| Describes the circumstances surrounding the action at Copenhagen in 1801 (not the lesser-known debacle in 1807, told in Mr. Cornwell's 'Sharpe's Prey'). I say 'action' but there is remarkably little of it for the bulk of the book, more delaying and prevaricating, despite the presence of Lord Nelson. A personal undercurrent pre-occupies Nat, who uses his previous clandestine life as a cover - the on-board speculation is handled very nicely. Having said there is no action is misleading; the very lack of progress to action causes unrest in the ranks (and higher command), showing how lack of purpose and conviction, or unfitness for the task can severely jeopardise an operation, causing unnecessary loss of surprise, ships, and men. This is well-told, without losing one's interest as the various strings of the plot are drawn together, culminating in the final bloody action. Altogether a gripping thriller topped by a detailed factual description of a complex naval battle.***** | ||
 | The Corvette | |
| "5th volume in this gripping series" | 2002-10-31 |
| Nat is now elevated to Master & Commander and given Job-Captain cy in charge of a corvette as escort to a group of whalers bound for Greenland. As well as the usual excellent sail evolutions, there is wonderful description of below-decks life here, as well as incidental details (some qory) of whaling boats and the hunt. Several plots run together in this story; the threat of privateers; the differing agendas of the whalers; insubordination in the officers; and a pastor with a past. All are handled by a Captain who has matured as much as his author, in a way that has neither the bluffness of Jack Aubrey, nor the asperity of Hornblower. | ||
 | The Art of Rigging | |
 | "Hmmm" | 2002-10-26 |
| Not as good as I expected; true there are lots of pictues of knots, running & standing rigging, but it is (to my mind) badly organised. The contents of the first 2 chapters are arranged alphabetically, but the writer assumes that you are a sailor and are familiar with 19thC terms and so by the 3rd chapter, you have digested both of these and can now go on to preparatory rigging; which is less than useful as the pictures are in plates several pages away from their description, and they are quite small, which makes it frustrating and difficult to quickly find the info you need. On the other hand, this was written in the 19thC by a sailor at the height of the age of sail, with an intimate knowledge of rigging; so, used as an addition to other works, it is a valuable tool ... but don't expect it to fulfill all your wishes. | ||
 | The Ship Model Builder's Assistant | |
| "Introduction to the built-up ship model" | 2002-10-26 |
| Detailed sequential instruction on constructing the built-up ship model. Accurate lists of the various countries' mast rules, including tops, heads, trestletrees etc, and rope & block dimensions, ensure that your model will look like the real thing and not a misproportioned eyesore. There are lots of hints and tips to making the rigging and the ground tackle (capstans, bitts, winches, anchors) look real, including correct proportions of gunports. The book does assume that you have an accurate drawing to work from and with this in mind it is a welcome addition to anyone's library. My only complaints are that there should be more detail on planking, and some of the drawings are a tad small, obscuring the detail. | ||
 | Dr. Eckener's Dream Machine: The Great Zeppelin and the Dawn of Air Travel | |
| "Brilliant description of flawd concept." | 2002-10-26 |
| Essentially a story of the historic round-world trip of the Graf Zeppelin, it evolves into a concise history of the Zeppelin dirigible industry and the men who made it happen against all the odds. Brilliant description and narrative flow combine with meticulous research in praise of what was arguably the most impressive man-made sight in the skies - ever. However, we are constantly reminded of the economic facts that this could never be a long-term solution to mass travel. On most flights the crew outnumbered the passengers, there were no schedules to speak of, ground crews numbered in the hundreds and only the very wealthy could afford the expense of the trips. Eckener was not fazed by this - his dream was to use the airship to relieve economic hardship, facilitate scientific research and promote political harmony. And, we read between the lines of the love that Dr. Eckener (and Mr. Botting) have for this beautiful form of air-travel; it pours from the page in the transcripts of newspaper reporter's accounts, in the tumultuous reception that these great airships had at every arrival, in the awe of the primitive people of the Sahara and Siberia. The sad thing is that these giants never really achieved their promised sovereignty of the skies - sadder still is the Epilogue which hints at the resurgence of German airship industry in the Cargolifter enterprise, which is now in receivership. Nevertheless, a rivetting read and a fascinating insight into a breed of men (and a woman) who persevered in promoting a wonderful dream. | ||
 | The Ropemaker | |
| "Interesting idea - but not Mr. Dickinson's best." | 2002-10-04 |
| Interesting idea - but not Mr. Dickinson's best. Imagine a medieval world where magic is so common, it has to be tightly controlled; a valley which is kept secluded from the attentions of the outside world by the devotion of two families keeping tradition alive through multiple generations - which is all about to come to an end as their magical barrier is decaying. Four people set out on the quest to restore the magic to the barrier in forest and mountains and prevent their Valley from being overrun by the Empire. This is a convoluted tale in which the unlikeliest person becomes pivotal to the plot and ends up being the most powerful of all, by virtue of possessing no magic at all. The plot seems to stumble its way along, with an end in sight, but no real itinerary, as though it was being made up on the fly; convenient opportunities appear and solutions to problems are intuitively provided - how? it seems by magic - or is it destiny?... But that is what the book is all about anyway, so we accept it. What is harder to accept is the lack of flow to the story; I found myself re-reading passages, just to fix the plot in my head, which detracted from the enjoyment. This is aimed at the young adult market, who I suspect will not be prepared to put up with the lack of readability. But, persevere and you will be rewarded with what is ultimately a novel, heart-warming fantasy, which reminded me somewhat of William Nicholson's 'The Wind of Fire' series. | ||
 | Sharpe's Prey: Richard Sharpe and the Expedition to Copenhagen, 1807 | |
| "Rediscover unpublicised history." | 2002-10-04 |
| Exactly what we have come to expect from Mr.Cornwell - intriguing plot, bloodthirsty action, skulduggery, espionage and (of course) the usual healthy dose of lust, both carnal and pecuniary. Although, in this little-publicised episode in British history, Sharpe seems strangely inept and less logical than normal, doubtless due to his recent bereavement and near-bankruptcy. At times we see the hard man reduced to tears at some small reminder ... this unmanning shows in the guileless way he goes about his task of ensuring that a chest of gold gets to the right place with the desired effect. Instead, he lets himself be duped - and almost killed - several times before gathering his wits; which he does in grand style, saving the day, finishing the job and settling a few scores - looks like it all turns out fine in the end, doesn't it? Read it and find out... The writing, and the action, flows so well that the book is finished before one realises - leaving one gasping for more. Once again the tale is based on historical facts, brilliantly dramatised; and summarised in an illuminating appendix - Mr.Cornwell's place at the top of the military history writers' roll of honour is assured. ***** | ||
 | The Eagle's Conquest: A Novel | |
| "Better than the last one!" | 2002-09-30 |
| Mr. Scarrow just gets better and better - I thought that 'Under the Eagle' was great, and again, I read this in one sitting. This continues straight on from that last episode with a full-blown invasion of Britain. All does not go smoothly, the untrained Brits prove to be berserkers, giving twice as good as they get and making up in courage what they lack in co-ordination, while the Romans are consistently stymied in their attempts to press the advantage by the leaders, in particular Emperor Claudius, whose tactical skills are worse than his diplomacy. The duo Cato & Macro are having a hard time of it; not only the Brits, but internal espionage is wreaking havoc with morale, discipline & logistics, and Cato is flung into the thick of it, discovering just what it takes to be a leader. Fantastic fight scenes, historical accuracy, sabotage, some humour and a bit of romance ... make this as good as ... Mr. Cornwell's best. | ||
 | The Il Fornaio Pasta Book | |
| "Pasta to die for!" | 2002-09-29 |
| Deliciously mouth-watering pasta meals from traditional regional recipes, described in a no-nonsense way with beautiful illustrations. Italian food is probably my favourite, but there are some novel recipes and combinations of ingredients that I haven't come across before - and my Mother-in-law is Italian - I can't wait to try 'Rotolina di Pasta all'Emiliana'. Each region is represented, with a concise introduction on their salient features and specialties, followed by a map, and selected recipes that typify each region - but not necessarily their signature dishes - which makes a refreshing change. The presentation is good, with one page per recipe, often with a close-up photo of the finished product on the facing page and an interesting anecdote to accompany the recipe. The wide format ensures that the book stays open at that page, without having to weight it down or break the spine (something not often considered). An excellent book, Maurizio's Mama would be proud of him! ***** | ||
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