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131st out of 187 books
—
140 voters
Gentleman Captain (The Journals of Matthew Quinton #1)
by
J.D. Davies
1662: Restoration England. Cromwell is dead, and King Charles II has reclaimed the throne after years of civil war. It is a time of divided allegiances, intrigue, and outright treachery. With rebellion stirring in the Scottish Isles, the hard-pressed sovereign needs men he can trust to sail north and defuse this new threat.
Matthew Quinton is such a man—the second son of a...more
Matthew Quinton is such a man—the second son of a...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
October 13th 2010
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(first published 2009)
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With "Gentleman Captain," J.D. Davies dares to put his toe in the waters so hallowed by Patrick O'Brian with his magnificent Aubrey-Maturin novels. While many authors write about the adventures of the British navy on the high seas, very few do so by evoking O'Brian's unique style - extreme reliance on period dialogue, naval jargon provided without translation, and focus that is as intense on the process of brewing tea as it is the firing of a cannon. Davies writes in a more modern language (perh...more
Well now, I enjoy historical mystery novels and naval fiction so, on the face of it, this book should have been a winner. However, although it was quite readable I didn't think it succeeded particularly well in either of those genres.
Much historical naval fiction concentrates on the Nelson era and the Napoleonic wars so it was a refreshing change for this book to cover a much earlier period; i.e. the 17th century and in particular the time immediately following the restoration of the British mon...more
Much historical naval fiction concentrates on the Nelson era and the Napoleonic wars so it was a refreshing change for this book to cover a much earlier period; i.e. the 17th century and in particular the time immediately following the restoration of the British mon...more
You can read my review at http://www.fyddeye.com/book-reviews/f...
Gentleman Captain, by J.D. Davies. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 336 pages, hardcover, $25.00
The professional officer constitutes the backbone of the modern navy. No man or woman has a hope of achieving command in the 21st century without a four-year education and a long apprenticeship. But when the English monarchy was restored in 1660 after the rule of Oliver Cromwell, King Charles II needed officers he could count on...more
Gentleman Captain, by J.D. Davies. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 336 pages, hardcover, $25.00
The professional officer constitutes the backbone of the modern navy. No man or woman has a hope of achieving command in the 21st century without a four-year education and a long apprenticeship. But when the English monarchy was restored in 1660 after the rule of Oliver Cromwell, King Charles II needed officers he could count on...more
As a fan of the Patrick O'Brian, and Hornblower novels I was hoping for a good new series along the same lines. This book being written by a Naval historian is a start of a very promising series set in the century before the O'Brian novels. A "Gentleman Captain" was a class of captains taken from the nobility to captain a ship despite their lack of seafaring knowledge - on the job training starting as Captain or another officer.
In this book the brother of a Duke meets disastrous consequences wh...more
In this book the brother of a Duke meets disastrous consequences wh...more
3.5 stars.
Matthew Quinton is the second son of an earl and would like nothing better than a commission in Charles Stuart's guards, especially after his disastrous command of the ill-fated Happy Restoration. No such luck, Charles and brother James hear rumors of weapon smuggling in the wilds of Scotland and give Matthew command of the Jupiter - can Matthew convince his new crew he really knows what he's doing, or can he get young Kit Farrell on board to cover his inexperienced bacon? The Jupiter...more
Matthew Quinton is the second son of an earl and would like nothing better than a commission in Charles Stuart's guards, especially after his disastrous command of the ill-fated Happy Restoration. No such luck, Charles and brother James hear rumors of weapon smuggling in the wilds of Scotland and give Matthew command of the Jupiter - can Matthew convince his new crew he really knows what he's doing, or can he get young Kit Farrell on board to cover his inexperienced bacon? The Jupiter...more
I really enjoyed reading this book that I received through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. The author's expertice on the British navy in the seventeenth-century brings the story to life. The descriptions of shipboard life and the portrayal of shipboard working relationships help enhance the story. The author creates memorable characters and sets them against a rich historical background. The story is set in post Cromwell England. The British Navy is in a period of adjustment and thus Gentleman...more
The author's expertise was very evident and his descriptions made the book come to life. For those not used to old english type grammar, this may be a hard read. Some of the words used are not familiar in today's language. But that aside, the story was great and kept me turning the page. The author also was very good at describing 17th century England and much of the living conditions both on land and at sea. I could easily picture the drafty, ill-kept old castle that Captain Matthew Quinton and...more
I had written a good review here.... stupid, crashy internet. Oh well, here goes - take two!
This compelling tale stands out from the it's counterparts because it takes a look not at the great age of sail - that of late 18th/early 19th century - but at the mid 17th century and the post-restoration English navy. Apart from a suspect ending, this was a great tale - a bold Three Stars.
Plot: Three Stars
Apart from an ending which relied upon coincidence just that little too much, this was a brilliant...more
This compelling tale stands out from the it's counterparts because it takes a look not at the great age of sail - that of late 18th/early 19th century - but at the mid 17th century and the post-restoration English navy. Apart from a suspect ending, this was a great tale - a bold Three Stars.
Plot: Three Stars
Apart from an ending which relied upon coincidence just that little too much, this was a brilliant...more
Lord Macaulay wrote “There were gentlemen and there were seamen in the navy of Charles the Second. But the seamen were not gentlemen; and the gentlemen were not seaman.”
Twenty one year old Matthew Quinton, captain of the Happy Restoration, is from an old and respected family and is brother to an earl. He is very much a gentlemen. As his ship breaks apart on the rocks of Kinsale harbor, he is also painfully aware that he is no seaman. If he survives the loss of his first command, he is determined...more
Twenty one year old Matthew Quinton, captain of the Happy Restoration, is from an old and respected family and is brother to an earl. He is very much a gentlemen. As his ship breaks apart on the rocks of Kinsale harbor, he is also painfully aware that he is no seaman. If he survives the loss of his first command, he is determined...more
This one works pretty well for a first novel, and I'll certainly continue with the series as it goes on. I was certainly glad to get a novel that deals with a different part of the age-of-sail than most other authors. The plot, however, takes quite a few liberties with actual history, and seems to concentrate more on catching the feel of the period than trying to weave a fictional character into historical events. I think I prefer that approach when I'm reading historical fiction.
I had hoped this would be a fun adjunct to a concurrent reading of Queen Anne's biography and one of Matthew Wren. Unfortuately, the writing is stiff nd expository, taking time ot explain all the history swirling around the characters. Perhaps if I didn't know so much about it, I could slog through it. However, I thought te writing was a bit stiff as well. I kep comparing it to the Elizabethan spy series by Ursula what's-her-name and Davies came up far short.
This is a good book. Unfortunately because most people aren't too familiar with the time period (myself included) the book has to endure extended periods of explanation about who was in power and why and how the political movers and shakers are related. That being said, I think that the author is aware of the lack of background most people have and he explains everything. The plot is reminiscent of Captains Couragous (with a revolution) and interesting.
Good historical fiction of england in 1662. Restoration under King Charles ii, but the roundheads aren't done yet. But in a crisis of short-handed navy the king had to have roundheads as captains and cavaliers as captains too, only thing, the rich dudes didn't really know how to captain. So this first novel details that, and a showdown in westeren Scotland. More of historical fiction than sailing fiction but very good nonetheless.
I love Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. This does not rate as high as literature. It is more of an adventure story. But it is interesting to read of the Royal Navy during the Restoration (150 years before the Napoleonic Wars). The author has published 2 non-fiction books on the subject and wrote this as a diversion from his research. It's a good read if you're at all interested in historical fiction.
I was looking for another British naval fiction series, after finishing the Hornblower books by C.S Forester.
I was disappointed at first, but I'm glad I stuck with it. The early part of the book gives you some history of the british nobility, and their civil war, and the conflict with the Dutch. I wanted a rip-roaring action yarn. If you are patient, the action comes, and you won't be disappointed.
I was disappointed at first, but I'm glad I stuck with it. The early part of the book gives you some history of the british nobility, and their civil war, and the conflict with the Dutch. I wanted a rip-roaring action yarn. If you are patient, the action comes, and you won't be disappointed.
This was an excellent book about a frequently overlooked period of British naval history. Young Matthew Quinton is a nobleman in the reign of Charles II (with literally no sea experience) that is commissioned to command His Majesty's ship Jupiter on a secret mission to Scotland. An exciting story filled with mystery and excitement. Highly recommended!
Gentleman Captain is an excellent book that takes the traditional historical naval fiction genre and shifts it back to the 17th century, throws in an inexperienced gentleman as captain of a warship (with whom we learn about the strange world of the sailor), picks up upon tensions of the period following the Civil War and Restoration, and mixes them all together into a well-written and exciting story.
True the book does start off quite slow, but once the ship sets sail everything comes alive with...more
True the book does start off quite slow, but once the ship sets sail everything comes alive with...more
A work of historical fiction set in a period of great turmoil. Davies clearly knows the details of that era, and a grasp of the workings of wooden ships. He uses these elements to weave a tale of political intrigue that makes our present-day machinations look like tiddly-winks.
A pleasant tale of Restoration England. The best part is the authenticity in which the author places the story. The writing and plot are fine, and the characters are reasonably well-developed. I'll look forward to reading further in the series.
Interesting fictional story about the British navy in the 1600s. Well written by someone who apparently is an expert on the British navy. The ending is a big surprise.
Not bad but I got bogged down with all the political interaction. I was impressed with the knowledge of a style of ships I had not read about. These ships were quite different from Patrick O'brian's ships.
a rousing adventure, with welcome historical notes at the end. run out the guns and give a strong Cornish cheer before boarding!
I enjoy a British navy story. While no Aubrey or Hornblower this was a good first novel set in an earlier period.
Link to rec: #
A reasonable first entry in a new naval fiction series. I guess I am a sucker for the restoration period after reading much, but not all as yet, of Samuel Pepys' diary. Interesting to meet in fiction the personalities that Pepys worked with in real life. Being a gentleman, the main character has a certain distance from the naval life the is the usual feature of books of this type and there is not a great deal of the usual naval battle either. Yet, I enjoyed the period and the book's concepts eno...more
Some parts of it dragged in the beginning, but there were some pretty great scenes in the last 100 pages that made up for it :)
A good read. Surprising ending.
Sep 01, 2010
Eric_W
is currently reading it
ARC for Kindle
I loved this book! I'm a sucker for anything British, adventurous, or seafaring-related, so this book was a perfect fit for me. I was rooting for the characters from the start. Also, the 1660s setting provided a historical context that I hadn't seen before and really distinguished the book from the Hornblower or Patrick O'Brian series for me.
I am four chapters in and loving this book so far. Right in my period - England under Charles II - and with well-written, extremely knowledgeable sea stuff! (That's a technical term; sea stuff.) I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it and to reading his non-fiction book about the navy during this period.
Update - finished it, loved it!
Update - finished it, loved it!
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Author of 'The Journals of Matthew Quinton', a series of naval historical fiction set in the Restoration period, and of non-fiction books including 'Pepys's Navy' and 'Blood of Kings'. Currently living in Bedfordshire, UK, but originally from Llanelli in West Wales.
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