Cindy Vallar's Blog, page 16
May 21, 2022
Review of Nicholas Tracy's The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 1759
The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 1759: Hawke and the Defeat of the French Invasion by Nicholas TracyMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
On the whole, this battle . . . may be considered one of the most perilous and important actions that ever happened in any war between the two nations; for it not only defeated the projected invasion, which had hung menacing so long over the apprehensions of Great Britain; but it gave the finishing blow to the naval power of France.
Tobias Smollett wrote those words in 1800 in The History of England. Many readers outside of Great Britain might be unfamiliar with the Battle of Quiberon Bay, but it was a victory that had major repercussions for the French and the British. It led to the end of the former’s North American colonies, brought Canada into the latter’s fold, and began that nation’s rise to become a world empire.
What happened at Quiberon Bay in 1759 was but one confrontation during the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763). This conflict had begun three years earlier and pitted Britain, Hanover, and Prussia against France, Austria, Spain, and Russia, but its roots date back to the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748). Secret intelligence warned the British government of an impending invasion by the French and Sir Edward Hawke was tasked to command the fleet meant to stop the enemy forces before they came close enough to carry out their threat. To that end, he established a close blockade, determined to make certain that Maréchal Conflans and his ships did not escape Brest. But the French did elude Hawke, who set off after them and trapped them at Quiberon Bay in November. In spite of being understaffed, ill-trained, and riddled with typhus, the French attempted to get free. Hawke and his men braved a fierce storm and dangerous rocks and shoals to stop them.
Other books have been written on this battle, but Tracy attempts to place it within the context of world events and politics. He explores its roots and then gradually takes readers through what led up to and transpired during and after the confrontation in eight chapters. He includes illustrations and maps, as well as two appendices to enhance the reading experience. Endnotes, a list of references, and an index are also provided. Quotations from primary documents are interspersed throughout the text to allow firsthand participants to share their thoughts and deeds. One drawback is that French passages are sometimes not translated within the narrative; readers must consult the endnotes for the English. This book is a worthwhile addition to naval history collections, and Tracy does a good job orienting readers to the background events of this decisive victory with long-reaching impact.
(This review originally appeared at Pirates & Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adultpirat...)
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Review of Robert Jacob's A Pirate's Life in the Golden Age of Piracy
A Pirate's Life in the Golden Age of Piracy by Robert JacobMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
This hardback book resembles a chronological encyclopedia, of which the majority (forty-one of the sixty chapters) recounts the history of piracy during the golden age. The remainder focuses on aspects of pirate life. Three chapters introduce the subject before the author subdivides the most prolific period in pirate history into four time segments: The Buccaneers 1640-1670, The Buccaneer Pirates 1670-1702, Pirates and Privateers of the War of 1702-1713, and The Pyrates 1714-1722. He also focuses on three particular pirates, whom he identifies as classic representatives of the men who hunted during this time span: Henry Morgan, Blackbeard, and John “Bartholomew” Roberts.
Jacob correctly points out that during these eighty-two years, political support and society’s acceptance of these marauding men and women did not remain static. The same holds true for why they went on the account. This was a time of flux, where one year pirates might be deemed acceptable comrades, but the next they were seen as enemies to be eradicated.
Among the many people and topics discussed in the history section are Christopher Myngs, François L’Olonnais, Henry Morgan’s lawsuit pertaining to the English translation of Alexandre Exquemelin’s The Buccaneers of America, Port Royal, Petit Goave, Michel de Grammont Le Chevalier, Laurens Cornelius Boudewijn de Graaf, William Dampier, Thomas Tew, Governor Benjamin Fletcher, Robert Searle, Marcus Hook, William Snelgrave, Howell Davis, and many more. Some of these can be found in most pirate histories, but others are either merely mentioned or not included at all. The lifestyle section covers such aspects as tools of the trade (ships, weapons, navigation), treasure, food, captives, and textiles.
Scattered throughout this volume are seventy-three pictures and maps. Jacob also includes sidebar notes to point out important dates, key points, and specific people, or to define unfamiliar words. There are no footnotes or endnotes to identify source material quotations and statements. Nor is there an index, which makes it difficult for readers to locate specific information. He does, however, include a glossary and bibliography.
Lack of consistency and clarity are two aspects that readers will notice as they read this book. For example, sometimes ships’ names are italicized; sometimes they are not even in the same paragraph. Several times the text says that a particular subject will be discussed later in chapter; in actuality, the discussion takes part later in the book, which breaks the narrative’s flow and makes it difficult for readers to know where the particular subject matter continues.
There are a number of missing words and misspellings and “many” and “most” are overused. While newspaper articles are a great source of information for cultural aspects of the period, they must be taken with the same grain of salt in which the author objects to the use of Charles Johnson’s A General History of Pirates as a reliable resource. Newspaper editors embellished stories the same way Johnson did, yet Jacob seems to take the articles at face value. Another questionable source is The Pirates Own Book; in fact, Jacob states that “It appears to be accurate.” (125) In actuality, this resource is just as questionable in its historical accuracy as Johnson’s book is.
He believes that Edward Thache and Edward Beard are two acquaintances who went to sea, but that Thache died and Beard adopted his name as alias. If any evidence exists to support this highly speculative hypothesis, Jacob doesn’t provide it. There are a few factual errors. For example, two men who were aboard Whydah at the time of her demise did survive the wreck. Contrary to the author’s belief that “Black” as a name is related to the pirates’ black flags (229), (as in Black Sam Bellamy) the adjective actually refers to the person’s swarthy appearance. Jasper Seagar and Edward England were not the same person.
Jacob is an historical reenactor, whose pursuit of history and historical accuracy led him to write this book. This research shines through in the amount of material that he provides, although some readers may prefer a greater focus on pirate life than the history of these sea rovers, especially since that was a primary reason for his writing this volume. Aside from providing readers with a well-rounded picture of the time period, he also explores what may have motivated the pirates to do what they did. There are times when he inserts his own thoughts into the recounting; these appear in a different font from the main text so readers can easily separate fact from opinion.
Its value lies not in being a book for reading night after night, but in the abundance of information contained within nearly 500 pages. Overall, with the caveats in mind, this is a good resource for those in search of a comprehensive volume on pirate history during the buccaneering and golden piracy eras.
(This review originally appeared at Pirates & Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Jacob.html...)
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Review of Michelle Fogle's City of Liars
City of Liars by Michelle FogleMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
The home to which Joachim Déulocresca returns is not the same one that he left. Fear and hate, tinged with greed – all under the guise of devout Catholicism – permeate Barcelona. No one is safe, especially if you are a Jew. After his contact is burned at the stake, Joachim removes the badge marking his religion to become a Christian pilot in search of a new ship.
The first Act of Faith is a powerful draw for devout Aularia Bautista. What better way is there to publicly demonstrate her Catholic faith? Her parents forbid her to attend, but willful naivete compels her to go. The auto-da-fé and anger she witnesses horrify her, and she confides this to her tutor who offers her a “better” way to demonstrate her piety.
Joachim and Aularia initially meet at the execution; their next encounter is at her home. Her father, a wealthy spice merchant, hires Joachim as his new navigator and agent. A shared attraction brings them together, while a confession nudges them to cooperate in helping Jews elude the Inquisition. But Barcelona is a city of liars, a place where everyone wears a mask. When the masks are lifted, Joachim and Aularia find themselves enmeshed in situations more portentous than expected and from which neither may escape.
The depth of Fogle’s research is evident and seamlessly interwoven into a story that incorporates graphic depictions of prejudice, murder, betrayal, deception, Barbary pirates, and rape. Absent is an author’s note to explain why she uses “Señyorita” instead of “Señorita.” While two first person viewpoints are initially disconcerting, Fogle deftly weaves a labyrinthine tale in which sectarianism is as relevant in 1487 Spain as it is today.
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(This review originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Historical Novels Review: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...)
Review of Emma Lombard's Discerning Grace
Discerning Grace by Emma LombardMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
In May 1826, the last person Grace Baxter will wed is the beady-eyed Lord Silverton, but he assumes a promise to wed equates to permission to attack her. Unwilling to remain in London, she surreptitiously appropriates clothing from her childhood friend and joins the crew of a navy ship bound for the other side of the world. Little does she realize the danger her actions bring upon her friend or that Lord Silverton always gets what he wants.
With his captain ailing, Lieutenant Seamus Fitzwilliam commands H.M.S. Discerning on her way to Tierra del Fuego on a mapping expedition. When an insolent crewman is punished, Seamus is aghast to discover that the boy is really a girl and, knowing her, he vows to protect her. Doing so aboard a ship proves to be more daunting than he expects. Especially since Grace is determined to do what she wants. It isn’t long before they’re at loggerheads – one more complication on top of his command, a strange sail, and angry natives.
This first book of The White Sails trilogy is about unforeseen consequences. Written for women seeking naval adventure, Discerning Grace provides a different perspective from most, especially those written by men. Lombard ably showcases how a woman might carry off her disguise and her research is spot-on. Once Grace’s secret is discovered, there are times when her naivety doesn’t work since she has spent months as a crewman and knows how a navy ship is run. It’s also a bit of a stretch to believe that Seamus will resign his commission and abandon his command after Grace’s abduction. Even so, there’s plenty of intrigue, abuse, adventure, and romance to keep readers turning pages.
(This review originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Historical Novels Review: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...)
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(This review originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Historical Novels Review: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...)
Review of D. V. Chernov's Commissar
Commissar: A Novel of Civil War Russia by D.V. ChernovMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Delivery of a dispatch leads to the Romanovs’ executions. The messenger is Anna Sokolova, a young woman whose brother died in a demonstration at the Winter Palace and who believes that choices made are always black or white. Knowing she plays a role, however minor, in the murders causes her to transfer into the counterterrorism branch of the Cheka, the Bolshevik security agency. In 1918, she hunts for an elusive spy, who goes by many names and may be in league with the British. With talk of guns and an underground army, as well as an influx of Allied troops and two assassination attempts, stopping the spy becomes paramount. Anna teams up with an American Army captain tied to the American Red Cross, but the pursuit requires an alliance with an anarchist who has vowed to kill all White Russians, Allies, and Bolsheviks. It also requires Anna to choose between blindly following orders or staying true to her principles.
Chernov adroitly depicts the complicated factions threatening Russia. He shows the brutality of war and how the policy of Red Terror came to be. Commissar centers on the hunt for Sidney Reilly, and is the first book in the Anna Sokolova series. It also incorporates a significant laying of groundwork for future titles. There are some editing issues that still need resolving and there are times when the many characters, both historical and fictional, become muddled, but the various points of view emphasize the period’s confusion and convolution. The story isn’t as engrossing as other novels set during this time, but readers are invested in the characters and what happens to them by the story’s close. Loose threads are tied up, and the end twist will intrigue readers to see how Anna deals with a personal dilemma.
(This review originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Historical Novels Review: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...)
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Review of Nicholas Downing's Confessions of a Janissary
Confessions of a Janissary by Nicholas DowningMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Thirteen-year-old Mirko Popovic’s curiosity is aroused when Janissaries visit his Serbian village in 1373. They come to collect a special tax: one that takes the best and brightest boys, forces them to convert to Islam, and conscripts them into the elite soldier-slaves of the Ottoman sultan. Becoming one of the chosen is no “honor” for Mirko. The Turks slew his father; all he wants to do is to kill their sultan. But the die is cast, and no sooner does he join than he is forced to safeguard them. He feels like a traitor, but one Janissary shows it is an act of survival.
During his training, Mirko befriends two boys, and they form an unbreakable bond. Together, they walk a fine line between Christian lives once led and their new lives as Muslims. They excel at what they do, but in their hearts, they remain loyal to their homeland. Each forges his own path; instead of killing the sultan, Mirko saves him. That one act leads Mirko to an ultimate betrayal in which he will either survive or die.
Spanning nearly a quarter of a century, this is a story of faith, belief in oneself, treachery, love, and becoming a man. Downing vividly contrasts the Christian and Islamic worlds, drawing readers into the past. They may notice a number of misspellings, missing punctuation, wrong words, and places where historical or cultural details could be better woven into the story, but these do not mar this account of Mirko’s life and struggle to decide who he is and what he believes. Each minor character is unique and well-drawn. In the end, Mirko takes one of the first maxims he learns – Know thy enemy – and implements it with the strategic cunning that is the hallmark of his time as a Janissary.
(This review originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Historical Novels Review, https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...)
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April 21, 2022
Building the Wooden Fighting Ship Review
Building the Wooden Fighting Ship by James W. DoddsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
They capture our imaginations. They majestically sail across oceans. They play a key role in Britain’s defense of the realm. Yet we tend to think of these wooden walls as if they spring from an idea to fully built ships. The truth is far different and, although they may not measure up to today’s technology, these fighting vessels are the most technologically advanced of their day. This book delves into what it takes to build a ship from the seedling of an oak tree to the ideal warship that leads to an island nation’s supremacy upon the seas.
The backbone of the Royal Navy sprang from a captured Spanish ship, originally built by French shipwrights in 1740. This man-of-war was superior to all existing vessels in the English fleet, so the Admiralty decided to base future warships on her design. One of the two-deck, seventy-four-gun vessels to be built was HMS Thunderer, whose keel was laid in 1756 at Woolwich, the first royal dockyard. It took four years of construction before her launch in the middle of the Seven Years’ War. At the dawn of the next century, 139 out of 800 ships were seventy-fours.
But this is far more than just a book about ship construction and the Royal Navy. It also shines a light on Britain’s shipping industry, the timber trade, the elements needed to build ships, the dockyards where they were built, and the people needed to turn designs into finished products. Ten chapters and an epilogue comprise this volume, beginning with “The Origins of the 74” and concluding with a recap of Thunderer’s career from her launch to her loss in 1780.
Dodds is both a shipwright and an artist, whose black and white drawings provide readers with a clear understanding of each facet along the way. Moore sails yachts and writes books about ships. Their expertise shines through, turning what might be a ho-hum dry treatise on shipbuilding into a fascinating and easy-to-understand narrative. Originally published in 1984, this new edition is beautifully rendered and well worth the price. There are so many details presented that even those familiar with ship construction will discover new tidbits of information, while those with little understanding of the industry will come away with a deeper appreciation of what it took to build one wooden fighting ship out of more than 3,400 oak trees.
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Pirates of the Florida Coast Review
Pirates of the Florida Coast: Truths, Legends, and Myths by Robert JacobMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The author, a longtime historical reenactor and living history interpreter, decided to incorporate pirates into his repertoire. In the process of researching this topic, he discovered histories rife with discrepancies and a lack of information on aspects of piratical life, such as clothing, weaponry, and food. To counteract this, he turned to writing about pirates, and this is his second book. His initial quest was to shine a light on the history of those scurvy knaves with ties to Florida during the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth century. What he unearthed was twofold. First, only a few pirates actually visited the region before 1750, and second, few of the stories were actually factual in nature.
Florida belonged to Spain and the first known privateer to attack St. Augustine was Francis Drake in 1586. His illegal counterpart was a man named Robert Searle, who attacked the Spanish city in 1668. Other historical pirates with actual ties to Florida include Andrew Ranson and Henry Jennings. The latter’s connection is tied to the Spanish treasure fleet that sank in coastal waters in 1715 during a hurricane. Among the later pirates that are included are William Bowles and his Muskogee pirates, Jean Laffite, and Louis-Michel Aury. Also discussed are Commodore David Porter and the Moskito Squadron, which were tasked with hunting pirates. Perhaps the best known of the legendary pirates is José Gaspar, a fictional pirate who is feted each year.
This account of piracy and piratical legends unfolds in twenty-four chapters. Illustrations and maps are included, as are a glossary, bibliography,* and index. Side bars point out important facts and dates. In an effort to provide background and a more complete understanding of what was happening historically, Jacobs incorporates passages from his first book, A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy. (Only those who read the two books back-to-back will notice the repetition.) In those instances where he was unable to substantiate information using documentary evidence, he shares the stories and then discusses the accuracy of them.
What emerges as a result of this in-depth investigation is a book that provides an abundance of information on pirates, the majority of whom have little to no ties to Florida. Examples of this include the chapters “Did Captain Kidd Visit Florida?”,
“Did Blackbeard Visit Florida?”, and “Calico Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny’s Honeymoon in Florida.”
It is evident to anyone who reads this book that Jacobs did a lot of research. He writes in a clear and interesting manner, although not all of his stated facts are accurate. On page 55, he writes: “152 of Roberts’ crew were captured alive and brought back to England to stand trial.” In actuality, the trials of these pirates were held at Cape Coast Castle in Africa, where the majority of those convicted were hanged. Only seventeen were returned to England and this occurred only after they were tried. A second example pertains to Jean Laffite. He did not build a pirate base at the barrier islands at Barataria. Pirates and smugglers frequented Grande Terre and Grand Isle since before the time of Blackbeard. What Laffite did was to organize them into an efficient force to be reckoned with. Also concerning are that the author consistently misspells Francis Drake’s first name and he overuses the word “many.”
In spite of these weaknesses, this is an interesting addition to pirate history that is geared toward lay readers. Jacobs presents these scoundrels in a manner that incorporates the whole of history, rather than exhibiting them in a void. And it is refreshing to find a book that dispels legends and myths about certain pirates while at the same time providing historical details about others.
*Among the resources that the author consulted during the writing of this book are two of my articles, both of which are cited in the bibliography.
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No Sacrifice Too Great Review
No Sacrifice Too Great by William C HammondMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
It is August 1812, and Americans are once again at war with Great Britain. Lieutenant Jamie Cutler serves under Captain Isaac Hull aboard the USS Constitution. On the nineteenth, lookouts spot an enemy frigate, HMS Guerrière. The ensuing battle pits an unseasoned crew against veterans who have been fighting for two decades. Hardly a fair fight, yet the Americans achieve the impossible and sail home to Boston with a prize.
The annexation of Canada is a much sought-after goal of many Americans. To that end, brother Will Cutler serves under Captain Oliver Hazard Perry on the Great Lakes. This new assignment will test the young lieutenant and his fellow Americans as they fight for control of Erie and Ontario.
Worries and finances snap at their father Richard’s footsteps during his retirement. The family business is on the brink of collapse as a result of the embargoes and the war which have greatly crippled trade. This is the life’s blood of many New Englanders who rely on the sea to sustain them. It is why brother Caleb is so opposed to the current administration in Washington. At times, his words and actions border on treason. Richard’s beliefs are too ingrained to go against his country, which is why, when asked to rejoin the navy as a special emissary and renew an old acquaintance with Jean Laffite, he heeds the call.
Cousin Seth is a lieutenant aboard HMS Seahorse, one of the vessels in Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn’s fleet. They seek enemy privateers in the Chesapeake Bay. Plans are also afoot to strike a blow that the Americans will long remember and will finally exact payback for transgressions in Canada.
Conflict demands sacrifice, which comes in many different colors, and each Cutler pays a price for their devotion to duty and honor in this sixth volume of The Cutler Family Chronicles. Spanning two and a half years, these men bear witness to the lesser-known, but equally important, events of the War of 1812: an amphibious assault on the Niagara River, Cockburn’s raids along the Chesapeake, the Hartford Convention, the duel between USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon, the invasion of Washington, and the Battles of the Thames, Plattsburgh, Northpoint, and Fort Saint Philip. Aside from the historical personages already mentioned, appearances are made by Tecumseh, Commodore Isaac Chauncey, and Colonel Winfield Scott.
Every once in a while, a scene steps away from the story’s action to explain the past and provide background for the present. One example occurs in the opening scene of the fourth chapter. Although a work of fiction, there are a few minor historical bobbles. For example, Governor Claiborne was based in New Orleans, rather than Baton Rouge, which didn’t become the capital of Louisiana until 1849. Nor did Jean Laffite stay true to his promise to earn an honest living. While those familiar with the characters and series will easily forgive these weaknesses, newcomers may not find this title as riveting as previous ones. All readers will agree, however, that the poignant ending clearly shows why no sacrifice is too great to those who willingly fight for what they believe in.
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Kemosha of the Caribbean Review
Kemosha of the Caribbean by Alex WheatleMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fifteen and a slave. One who is curious, always asking questions. Kemosha also has dreams. No matter what she witnesses or endures, she refuses to allow Captain Tate or any of the overseers on the plantation to take away her dreams. One day she will be free!
But Tate has different plans. He sells her to Quartermaster Antock Powell – a move that separates her from her little brother and her friends. Kemosha will be a welcome addition to the tavern that Powell owns. She can cook and she is chaste; with her dark skin his patrons will pay extra for a night with her. Frightened, Kemosha has no choice but to go with her new master, but she vows to one day return to free those she loves.
When her worst fears are realized, Kemosha defends herself and then runs. As a free Black man, Ravenhide understands what awaits her if she’s found. He hides her from her pursuers and, afterwards, trains her to fight with a sword. Once Kemosha can hold her own, he arranges a duel between her and Powell. If she wins, she will be free. Fulfilling one dream isn’t enough, though. Those left behind deserve their freedom too, but that requires money.
Ravenhide, a cooper, sometimes goes buccaneering with Captain Henry Morgan is planning a raid on Porto Bello. When word spreads of a new venture, Kemosha insists on joining Ravenhide at sea even though she’s never set foot beyond Port Royal. Much to everyone’s surprise, Morgan hires her as his cook. Going to sea, however, is fraught with peril, especially since both Powell and the customer she knifed will also be joining this venture. Kemosha soon realizes that dreams and reality differ, sometimes in frightening ways.
The story’s first-person narrative provides young adult readers with a startling, yet realistic portrayal of slavery, seventeenth-century piracy, and Port Royal (and Jamaica) as it was, rather than as Hollywood often portrays the pirate haven. The one drawback is the use of dialect, which only occurs in dialogue. It may give the feel of authenticity to the story, but it can distract readers and is sometimes difficult to decipher. Although some may object to Kemosha’s relationship with another girl, this is a but a fraction of the story as a whole.
While Kemosha may be a product of her times, her dreams, thoughts, and emotional reactions are ones to which modern readers will readily relate. She is a Black heroine who struggles to survive in a world that relegates her to the status of property, yet time and again she shows everyone that she is a person. Morgan’s 1688 raid on Portobello is considered one of the highlights of the Buccaneer Era and, while Kemosha doesn’t participate in the actual sacking, the aftermath that she witnesses is a raw and gut-wrenching portrayal that provides readers with a vivid glimpse into both the realities of her world and the emotions she experiences.
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