Armchair Sailors discussion
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Frederick Marryat
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I've read Mr. Midshipman Easy, but it was years ago. Still, the realism of his books is supposed to be top-notch.
The title of that book struck me as familiar, but I'm pretty sure I haven't read it. More books for the wishlist!
this is going to sound strange but michner's chesapeake has a lot of sailing in it
as i recall caribbean, pirates, tobacco, slave, sugar trade, battles with the british of course and a lot about oystering and the oyster sloops
I'll add it
as i recall caribbean, pirates, tobacco, slave, sugar trade, battles with the british of course and a lot about oystering and the oyster sloops
I'll add it
I tried to read that book on a flight to South Africa once. I couldn't get past the first chapter. It could have been realistic, but it doesn't have the draw of an Aubrey or Hornblower novel.
i would agree matthew
the focus is really the geographic location, the people, social structure, and major historical happenings but because it's about the chesapeake it has a lot of info in large sections devoted primarily to pirating and revolutionary ship battles as well as major shipbuilding activities
of course it's michner so many many pages and not really a "story" or novel format
or more the story is secondary to the info
the focus is really the geographic location, the people, social structure, and major historical happenings but because it's about the chesapeake it has a lot of info in large sections devoted primarily to pirating and revolutionary ship battles as well as major shipbuilding activities
of course it's michner so many many pages and not really a "story" or novel format
or more the story is secondary to the info
Sorry for the confusion, but I was talking about reading Mr. Midshipman Easy on the way to South Africa, not the Chesapeake book. I blame Goodreads for not posting my comment as a reply to Peggy's comment!
"Midshipman Marryat, later better known as the novelist Frederick Marryat, witnessed the gunnery duel [with the shore batteries] from the quarterdeck: 'The Imperieuse returned the fire, warping round and round with her springs, to silence the most galling [fire from the shore]. This continued for nearly an hour, by which time the captured vessels were all under sail, and then the Imperieuse hove up her anchor, and, with the English colours waving at her gaff, and still keeping up an undiminished fire, sailed slowly out the victor'."
It occurred to me therefore that Marryat might be worth reading. I've added some of his books to our shelves :).