false 4 0 false false Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Wed Mar 07 08:24:41 -0800 2007 Wed Mar 07 08:27:25 -0800 2007 A collection of short stories, told in a small and colorful Portsmouth tavern called the Cheerful Tortoise.
Each of Royal Navy surgeon Dr. Dogbody's tales recount how he lost his leg, and each story is different. It has been compared to C. S. Forester's Hornblower series, but I think it calls to mind George MacDonald Fraser's Harry Flashman novels. Like Flashman, Forrest Gump and Doctor Who, the good Doctor hobnobs with the historically famous, from Ben Franklin to Catherine the Great.
Hall captures the spirit of the times as well as the detail.
So heave to under the good Doctor's lee, drop anchor and share a pint or two o' Will Tunn's best, and perhaps you can convince F. Dogbody to tell you the true story of how he lost his leg.]]>