Sheridan Books

I, for one, loved this book. I enjoy good characterization and this book has some of the best character development I have read in any novels of this genre...it alone convinced me to buy the rest of Woodman's novels.

Novels in the Drinkwater series have been reprinted by different publishers and not in chronological order. I believe this one may be No. 11 in the series. The previous novel, "Under False Colours," ended in August 1810. This novel, first published in 1992, skips forward and begins in August 1811, Drinkwater having been ill between novels. He has command of the frigate Patrician and is off on a special mission to the Potomac with an ill-trained crew of pressed seamen and a problem first lieutenant. The first 146 pages, ending in November 1811, deal with this mission and are more concerned with interpersonal relationships and philosophical discussions than with naval action. At points, the story drags a bit.

Part 2 of the novel, the next hundred pages, picks up the story in March 1812 with Drinkwater on shore with his family and the Patrician being refitted (and other captains stealing men from his crew while he dawdles on shore). There is considerable discussion of the politics and diplomacy of that time. It presents the British side of the outbreak of the War of 1812. Drinkwater receives orders to command a small squadron, and the story then skips forward to find him off the entrance to Chesapeake Bay in July 1812. There is some additional material on interpersonal relationships and philosophy and, after a personal sortie into the bay, he leads the squadron into the South Atlantic to rendezvous with the East India convoy and fight a battle with American privateers. The novel ends in March 1813.

The novel could have used better research. Communications across the Atlantic were slow. The Royal Navy schooner Whiting was captured when it arrived at Hampton Roads on 8 July 1812 with dispatches for the American government, not knowing war had been declared (see Gosset's, "The Lost Ships of the Royal Navy"). Also, the promotion of Drinkwater's friend Sir Richard White to vice admiral seems to have been a bit overly rapid. As with other authors, the characters seem to fade somewhat as they get older, a problem with writing too many novels with the same cast. I still feel that book two of the series, "A King's Cutter," was the best.

This book is terrible. The author spends a great deal of time and pages in unnecessary character development. The reader's expectation is for a novel that describes naval warfare of the period in the genre of Hornblower. The action, as such, is confined to 24 pages and all this occurs at the end of the novel. There are references to other actions but these occur in other books so the reader is encouraged to make a risky purchase. The novel does describe the history of the time and the interactions between the US, Britain and France. The sad thing is that with such a wealth of possibilities, the author does not take advantage of them.

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.
Nathaniel Drinkwater, now Captain, is increasingly involved in espionage and subversion as the Secret Service draws on his special talents to undermine Napoleon's empire-building. It is apparent that Lord Dungarth is grooming Nat as his successor, which lies uneasily on Nat's uneven shoulders.

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.*****

Richard Woodman's Nathaniel Drinkwater series is my favourite from the age of fighting sail. Beginning with the brilliantly Gothic Eye of the Fleet set during the American Revolution and through 20 plus years of the Napoleonic wars Woodman has rounded out the flawed but fundamentally decent Drinkwater. In The Flying Squadron Drinkwater faces some of his most difficult challenges to date.

The year is 1811 and the reader, with the benefit of historical hindsight, knows that Napoleon's reign is nearing its end. However, the situation appears far the opposite to Britain. Napoleon's Continental System has severely damaged trade and unemployment in England is rampant. To make matters worse war with the United States of America is looming; a war the embattled Royal Navy neither needs nor wants. As usual the reader can count on Woodman to produce a unique perspective on the times.

The Flying Squadron is constructed in three parts; the first set in 1811 as Drinkwater supports a peace envoy to the USA, the second set in 1812 after war is declared with Drinkwater patrolling the American coast and the third set in 1812-13 where the naval action takes place. It is very much in keeping with the series; covert actions leading to a climactic naval encounter at the conclusion. In my opinion The Flying Squadron is one of the series' best entries.

American readers may find this work difficult to read as the USA is portrayed as the enemy in the novel, especially when the reader sees in the first part that the English envoy is attempting to find a peaceful solution and that London is willing to meet Washington's terms. However, like men of other nationalities who Drinkwater has fought, the Americans are portrayed fairly with one possible exception. Woodman points out that war is a waste and the tragedy of America and Britain fighting while a tyrant rules Europe is subtly made. Perhaps Drinkwater's most effective statement in the first part is his referral to an atrocity from An Eye of the Fleet. I found its reference more shocking in The Flying Squadron than the act was in the original. Woodman savages the idea of a war of gentlemen played out like a schoolyard game.

The first part has a number of lyrical passages where Woodman gets his pen rolling. He can write well and exercises his writing in a number of philosophical areas. A reader expecting more action will be disappointed although there is much dramatic tension. Drinkwater commits an uncharacteristic betrayal and is tortured by his conscience. Perhaps after becoming fond of the Drinkwater character over the last few years, Drinkwater's problems become much more serious than any naval battle. The reader can appreciate the toll on Drinkwater after nearly 20 years spent away from home and family.

In the second part Drinkwater returns to the American coast as the Commodore of a Flying Squadron with open-ended orders. The briefer second section brings to a conclusion some of the events of the first. The action is similar though being more cloak and dagger or cat and mouse. This is the area where Woodman has carved his niche for Drinkwater, in covert actions. There is always more going on than meets the eye and Drinkwater eventually figures it out.

In the third part Drinkwater is off to the South Atlantic fresh with insight from his two previous trips to the USA. In this section we see that his insight has paid off leading to a climactic naval battle. We also get the big picture of the war.

The historical perspective of The Flying Squadron is fascinating and one gets a new angle on that war. However, I don't think a couple of the characters' reflections are accurate. For instance, before war breaks out the view is expressed in the English quarters that they should be able to hold onto Canada for some period of time. I doubt that reflects the realities of the situation at the time. Also, at the novel's conclusion in March 1813 the word from Canada is not good. Historically it was. By March 1813 Fort Michilmackinac had been captured, Detroit had been captured and Americans pursued into Ohio, and the Americans repulsed in Niagara albeit with the loss of the brilliant General Isaac Brock. Woodman might want to consider a revision in any reprinting.

The Flying Squadron may not be to everyone's taste. The vocabulary is such that some of the passages are on the level of O'Brian's in his Aubrey/Maturin series. It could be challenging in a way that one wouldn't expect in this type of historical novel. I'm looking forward to Woodman wrapping up the series if he can maintain his writing at this level.

Good comprehensive book, yet easy for a non Engineer. Pretty updated, it covers most of the information required by Engine enthusiasts. Personally, I would recommend to have a copy as a reference to the subject.

It might not be enough to build your own engine, but it seems to be close. It is painstakingly detailed, and goes heavily into specific engines and engine technologies, which is fine for some, but too advanced for me. I was looking for something a bit more basic and well explained, while this is more like a textbook from school. Personally I can't learn from those, and find it to be slavery to try to learn something from heavy text, but it is very detailed, and you can pull theory and a lot of good understanding from it, so if you need something more than basic knowledge I'd recommend it. However, I was looking for something more basic explaining me how engines work and how they are built. This was too much.

Like R. Trulov said, this book can appear extremely challenging at first. The fact that it is titled "Introduction to Internal Combustion Engines" makes you feel stupid and overwhelmed at first. If this is the introduction whats coming up next!!

Im a senior in high school and went to talk to a mech engineering professor at Stanford. He uses this book to teach his classes. So i decided to buy it on amazon. All i can say is that it is amazing! I am 100 pages into it and the chapter about fuels was a pleasure to read. it is extremely informative, and it really goes into detail. I have found myself doing research on the side and even setting up my own little experiments! I annotate and underline all the cool information i find. this book isnt for the faint of heart, but if you stick with it, you can really learn a lot. I find myself skipping over some of the more complex chemical formulas, but all the information you could ever want is there. I like how Stone really explains stuff on a rudimentary level, so you have all the basic building blocks and can go from there. Instead of throwing information at you, you get a chance to understand where all of it is coming from and how he derived it which is very cool. I originally purchased this book hoping that i could learn the secret to making my truck go faster. however, i have learned more than i could have ever imagined. this book is huge and goes into great detail about everything, and while it is hard to read, it is still definetly worth reading. Thank you Dr. Stone!

The book is really hard to read. Much of the information is not explained in needed detail. Prelimenary courses should be taken or books read, in thermodynamics, to be able to understand that stuff. However, even with a good thermodynamic background, the book is hard to understand, even as a sumplement to the ICE course.

I was looking for a book that would start at near-zero to introduce me to internal combustion engines and how they work.

I had always heard things like, "2 stroke engines produce almost twice as much power as a comparable displacement 4 stroke".

I know that engines typically had exhaust and intake valves and some sort of piston inside a cylinder.

But how these things all worked, I really didn't understand, other than a flammable charge ignited somewhere near the top of a piston stroke driving a piston down, resulting in a circular motion.

This book took me beyond my level of understanding before I even finished the introduction.

Yet, it was easy enough to understand that I was able to read it and comprehend, though I'm not an engineer or engineering student.

For those interested in the "why" and "wherefore" of an internal combustion engine, I think this book is excellent. It provides complete, detailed information on the theoretical operation of the IC engine, without teaching at either too high or too low a level.

I think after reading this book, it would be possible for a mechanically inclined person with access to the right tools to design their own simple IC engine.


For my purposes, this was the right book to get.

Sheridan's 1777 farcical treatment of upper class snobbery and reputation ruination sparkles even two centuries later--whether on the boards or on the pages. Delightfully irreverent this five-act play entertains despite its period setting, for costumes, accessories and expressions can not detract from the basic functioning and foibles of human nature. The Dover Thrift edition includes A PORTRAIT (flattering poem addressed to a possible patroness), a PROLOGUE written by Garrick, an acclaimed actor-manger, and an EPILOGUE written by Mr. Colman. Yet the actual dialogue stands alone, in never-ending waves of wit and satire.

Offering an extensive cast these 75 pages reveal the worst of Sheridan's 18th century Society; the last names alone indicate shamelessly
the predominant character flaws among the self-centered cheats, flatterers and hypocrites: Mrs. Sneerwell, the Surface brothers, Lady Teazle, and Mrs. Candour among others. Literary gimmicks include
mistaken identities, overhead conversations and outrageous distortion of the facts which precipitates shocking rumors. No one's reputation is safe, while some characters delight in spouting Sentiments--moralizing platitudes.

The machinations of this cast of zanies who take themselves most seriously--whether motivated by love or money--provide amusing fodder
for those who appreciate Comedy raised to the heights of an art form. Audiences and readers alike will experience the entire gamut of humor in this slender volume, for bon mots are interspersed among the devious plottings and dastardly scheming of the various characters--often at direct odds with each other. Lessons of Life and morality can be learned (possibly by lack of proper example) if one enrolls in this entertaining School for Scandal.

Playwright, poet, and politician Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) did not produce many works--some sources note that he was frequently afflicted with writer's block--but among them were two titles that have remained constants of world theatre: THE RIVALS (1775) and THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL (1777.)

In may respects THE SCHOOL SCANDAL anticipates the slightly later novel LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES (1782) by de Laclos, for both works present portraits of a hypocritical social world that amuses itself--and fiercely manipulates others--through rumor, scandal, and extra-marital affairs. But where LIAISONS is essentially a portrait of evil machinations that succeed against virtue, SCANDAL is a witty portrait of evil machinations that fail when confronted by personal integrity. Sparkling with wickedly amusing malice, it is a gossamer farce that draws heavily upon the earlier Restoration styles of Wycherly and Congreve but molds them into a less uncompromising turn of mind.

The central plot turns upon two brothers, Joseph and Charles Surface, both of whom are wards of the wealthy but long absent Sir Oliver. Joseph appears to be an upstanding member of society; Charles appears to be a wild spendthrift--but appearances are deceiving, for in truth Joseph is miserly and vicious where as Charles is generous and open-hearted. The Lady Sneerwell has determined to have Charles for a lover; as such she works with Joseph to break Charles' attachment to Maria, who is the ward of Sir Peter Teazle.

Although the plot arises from Lady Sneerwell's determination to capture Charles Surface, the actual focus of the play falls on Sir Peter and Lady Teazle. Sir Peter sought and married a significantly younger and socially unstudied country girl--but once she set foot in London she unexpectedly transformed into a lady of fashion. Indeed, Lady Teazle has fallen in with Lady Sneerwell and her malicious circle, where talk consists almost exclusively of maliciously witty gossip that greatly damages its subjects. Thinking herself above suspicion, Lady Teazle determines to have an affair with Charles Surface... and becomes a victim of "the school for scandal" herself.

As it unravels the plot includes mistaken identities, impersonations, and farcical situations--the "screen scene" is particularly famous--but then as now the great thing about THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL is its dialogue. The play is in theory a moral lesson on the immorality of gossip and its attendant dangers, but most of its humor actually arises from the wildly funny nature of the malacious gossip that colors every scene. The lines are like rapiers, and whether on the page or in the hands of experienced players they ring with hilarity. It is a gossamer flyweight, true--but no less artful or influential for that. Strongly recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

The School for Scandal was a pleasant surprise. We meet devious and unscrupulous characters, not the ragtag pickpockets found in later stories by Dickens, but self-centered members of the leisure class in London. The cast includes the appropriately named Lady Sneerwell, Mr. Snake, Mr. Crabtree, Sir Benjamin Backbite, Mrs. Candour, and the superficial Mr. Surface - individuals all too capable of undermining the most refined and honest reputations with innuendoes and ingenious fabrications.

Unlike the literature and poetry of the preceding centuries, footnotes are not needed for this late eighteenth century play. I read the entire play in a single session, and clearly this is a comedy to be relished, one whose enjoyment comes as naturally today as when it was first staged at Drury Lane theater in London in 1777.

Why does Richard Brinsley Sheridan's play still resonate with today's audience? Sheridan offers a deliciously humorous look at that fascinating and seemingly unchanging human characteristic, the propensity to gossip, to tell tales about others with only limited concern for the truth. Like Mrs. Candour, we all claim to abhor gossip, and would not ourselves consider creating fictitious tales, but are we immune from conveying stories about others, even stories which are suspect?

Lady Sneerwell rationalizes: Wounded myself in the early part of my life by the envenomed tongue of slander, I have since known no pleasure equal to the reducing others to the level of my own injured reputation.

Mr. Snake, another memorable villain, explains: I beg your ladyship ten thousand pardons: you paid me extremely liberally for the lie in question, but I unfortunately have been offered double to speak the truth.

The School for Scandal is a classic example of an English comedy of manners. The dialogue is witty and entertaining. The plot is elaborate and contrived, but always maintains interest and momentum as Sheridan brings his intertwined subplots to an entertaining and satisfactory conclusion. Along the way we encounter devious plots and counterplots, disguised identities, and outrageous behavior. It is great fun.

Sheridan's phrase "school for scandal" is a grand metaphor for the gossipy London society of the late 1770's, and the longevity of the play that bears it as its title attests to its relevance in any place and time. Sheridan captures the inherent drama and humor in the truism that people are always talking about other people behind their backs and uses it as a foundation on which to devise a plot of intrigue.

The school's "principals" are Lady Sneerwell and a man named Snake, who like to collect gossip about their neighbors and others in London society; one of their cohorts is the brilliantly ironic character Mrs. Candour, who openly reprehends idle gossip but blithely participates in it anyway. One of their favorite subjects of gossip is the Surface brothers, Joseph and Charles. The popular perception is that Joseph is responsible and respectable, while Charles is a wastrel and a miscreant.

The Surface brothers' uncle, Sir Oliver Surface, returns to London after spending many years in India, hears the rumors about his nephews, and decides to verify them for the purpose of choosing an heir between the two. Since he has been gone so long that his nephews would not recognize him, he visits them incognito. Posing as a moneylender to Charles, and as a poor relative to Joseph, he discovers that his nephews are not quite of the natures he has been led to believe.

Sheridan employs some typical comedic devices like love triangles and hiding characters, but for the most part this is an inventive play that picks its targets well and hits the bullseye every time. Considering it was written at such a turbulent time in England's history, it's interesting that social satire still managed to break through greater national concerns and be successful and appreciated.

This book made it fun and delightful to follow how rumors and scandals are started. Anyone who wants a ligth hearted read in the style of a Shakespearean comedy, "School for Scandal" by Richard Sheridan is for you. It has the most entertaining characters, who anyone could recognize as being people they know and are friends with, and it pokes fun at soap-opera-like dramas that have forbidden loves and misleading coincidences. The situations that arise seem so unthinkable and impossible, and then you realize that you or someone you know has been there right down to the last detail. "School for Scandal" is a entertaining read for anyone who has ever passed on a rumor.

I bought all fourteen of these Nathaniel Drinkwater books sight unseen, purely because they were compared to O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. If you think that's crazy, understand that I bought all twenty of the O'Brian books in the same manner, because they were compared favorably to the Hornblower novels. I was certainly never disappointed in the O'Brian books; so I thought this to be an acceptable gamble.

This series cannot live up to the richness of language in the O'Brian books; but I have to say I have not been disappointed in them at all. The characterizations are sharp and dependable, but not rigid. Humans are infinitely capable of surprising us. Drinkwater himself is thoroughly drawn and believable. The action is realistic, and historically-based.

I have read them in order, and without intervening books. I tend to do that with series', if I can. I have never been bored by them, and it is always a pleasant feeling to know that you have one of these books sitting on the bedside table with a bookmark in it.

This particular novel takes Drinkwater to the fledgling United States, before the breakout of the War of 1812. It's not the very best of the series; but it has great things to offer! I highly reccomend it.

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 - Nathaniel Drinkwater, now Captain, is increasingly involved in espionage and subversion as the Secret Service draws on his special talents to undermine Napoleon's empire-building.

Following orders from Lord Dungarth, head of the Secret Service, Capt. Nathaniel Drinkwater adopts the disguise of a dissipated merchant mariner (almost too successfully) to sow the seeds of a threat to Napoleon's Russian alliance. It all turns sour and plans are wrought afresh, landing Nat in French custody and meeting an old female adversary. Not much in the way of action, but the tension and intrigue more than make up for that.

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.*****

Chapter 13 starts on page 154, and next page is 167 -- 13 pagesare missing. Please send me a new book with all the pages.
thank You.

Richard Woodman's Nathaniel Drinkwater series has always had a dark Gothic air about it. The darkest entry was undoubtedly Under False Colours' predecessor A Private Revenge. Series readers will be happy to know that this entry is nowhere near as dark and tragic as A Private Revenge. It is perhaps more similar and related to the earlier Baltic Mission. It's like Baltic Mission in that it is more cloak and dagger than sea story.

However, Under False Colours is not a rewrite of Baltic Mission in a different location. Much has happened to Nathaniel Drinkwater since Baltic Mission and Under False Colours is the conclusion of events that were initiated in Baltic Mission and which propelled the action through In Distant Waters and A Private Revenge. A Private Revenge left Drinkwater a deeply psychologically scarred man. In Under False Colours Drinkwater begins to heal the deep wounds left from the horrors of the earlier novel.

This entry begins with an attempt to deceive the French by getting them to believe that Britain is supplying military aid to the Czar in defiance of Napoleon's Continental System and his treaty with the Czar. Things go awry and Drinkwater leads a trading mission into Hamburg and as is typical of this series, twists and turns fall more twists and turns. The climax occurs at sea following a tense build up and chase.

Under False Colours does not have the same level of blood letting that some of the earlier entries in the series had and all Bolitho novels have. Instead it gradually builds up tension while exploring the conditions in Napoleonic Europe. What I found particularly interesting was the role of Jewish merchants in Hamburg and London. The Jews of Drinkwater's Europe have an underground communication system that acts as a conduit to and from the continent. Woodman nicely underplays Drinkwater's surprise at being treated so well by Jewish merchants. The kindness of the Jews would have come as a very pleasant surprise to a Christian of Drinkwater's era, not because we wouldn't expect them to be kind but because the Christians of that era wouldn't. One can see barriers beginning to fall, as paradigms are broken.

Under False Colours is an entertaining novel with some nice surprises in contrast to the nasty ones of A Private Revenge. It's a worthy entry in the series but not one of the best. I suspect that it is a bit of a respite from desperate action to follow in the last three years of the war as Woodman brings it home for the reader.

This is the replay from Sheridan regarding the publishing orders:

=== It was a question of US Rights becoming available - a slow and difficult process. Next spring we will do the first three and the rest will follow in chronological order.

Sheridan House ====

I bought this to replace an older edition that was loaned out but not returned. The older one was much better. More about sailboats and less about catamarans, I guess they added them to appeal to our aging population.

Why he would put in a section on "10 NEW boats to sail around the world" instead of prior version's "10 USED boats..." is beyond me, that's not why I bought a book on USED boats. Guess Sail's advertisers got to them....

Returning this one for a refund and looking for a used older edition, which was a great book and was what it said it was...., a book about USED (i.e. affordable) boats.

As expected from Sailing Magazine, a well written and comprehensive guide in the selection of great used sailboats. Covers all of the pluses and the minuses of 40 'classic plastic' sailboats from small to large. Of particular interest is the review of things to look for and problems that exist as well as performance and accomidations.

This book is a fantastic resource that is broken down into easy to assimilate categories:
* First Impressions
* Construction
* What To Look For
* On Deck
* Down Below
* Engine
* Underway, and
* Conclusions

Each of these categories are covered in depth, but I found the construction and what to look for most interesting. As I write this, I am currently shopping for a new boat with a friend and reading each review is like sitting down with a knowledgeable person that owns each boat.

In addition to the areas covered above, there is also a great summary and Sailing Magazine Value Guide that covers: Price, design quality, construction quality, user-friendliness, safety, typical condition, refitting, support, availability, investment and resale, and overall 'SVG' rating.

The only criticism I have is that the author is definitely biased in what he likes and doesn't like and makes it apparent while reading. He is extremely qualified in his opinions, but they are just that - opinions. So just keep that in mind while reading and buy based upon what YOU want, not just what the author likes.

That said, that is also what gives the author credibility. His reviews are not just 'glam-shots' of the boats. Each boat and it's shortcomings are discussed, but the boat is not simply shot down.

Would I buy a boat without reading this book in-depth? No way. This book is well worth the money even if you are not buying a boat as it will help you look at your current boat with some new ideas.

Congrats on achieving what so many writters and sailors have tried to do. A clear and easily read guide to help out we few honest novice sailors to be.
This guide contains the ins and outs in readily understood verse, it will be in my back pocket when next I see a hull shape and color that is so appealing, hopefully the newly acquired knowledge will allow me to disregard some boats before having to pay for a survey.
Strongly recommended reading.

My primary purpose in writing this review is not to disagree with other reviewers. Rather it is a caution that many of the reviews in this collection are quite old and so are the boats reviewed. If you are new to sailing or own a day sailer of say 23' or less do not expect this book to prepare you to explore the overwhelming number of used boats currently for sale. Many of the boats reviewed have been out of production for many years and many of the companies that built them are out of business or have been acquired by other builders. The reviews include approximate selling prices for the boats but they are mostly used ships built in the 1970's.

There is no doubt that many of the ships covered are considered "classics" and some, such as the Alberg 30, have active clubs of enthusiasts around the country.

But people who are intent on owning a classic boat are a special breed. They are certainly not novices and they usually have deep pockets; either to buy a classic that has been lovingly and meticulously cared for (damn-the-cost!) or to rehabilitate an "abused" treasure that needs new rigging, sails, engine, wiring, electronics, stove, etc,etc, etc.

The good:

The author has a lengthy and deep knowledge of sailing ships. Even if you never see many of the boats reviewed you will gain a fundamental knowledge of the compromises that all yacht designers must make in hull shape, performance and comfort below decks. The specific problem areas he discusses for each boat will apply in general to any ship you may consider.

In summary: For a great read on some of the great boats built in the last 35 years this is the book. Just don't plan on going to a marina (even at the major sailing locations in the USA) and expect to see very many examples of the ships reviewed in this book.

Woodman's seventh novel involving the life and times of Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater, provides a change from the usual naval action that the prior Drinkwater books have dealt with. That, however, takes nothing away from the historical setting or the intrigue that awaits Drinkwater and his cohorts as they set about to discover Napolean's plans for an alliance with Russia. Woodman is a master at making history come alive.

I have just finished this book, the seventh in the series, and enjoyed it thouroughly. More intrigue than sea battles, but an exciting climax to several story lines throughout the series. Any fan of O'Brien or Forester is encouraged to dive into Woodman.

7th in the series, Capt. Drinkwater's action takes place in the Baltic as Napoleon rolls up the Russians in 1807. Ostensibly carrying gold to the British ally, the Tsar, Drinkwater's cruise is episodic and nearly aimless at first, but concludes with an exciting rush under the eye of an ancient nemesis and the guns of the French. I get less of a sense of adventure and curiosity than with O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, whereas the larger political context of alliance building against Napoleon is clearer here. However, the shipboard world of H.M.S Antigone thereby becomes less central and important. Except for some pro forma sail handling, unfamiliar terms are rare, even the regular cursing. This Sheridan House book has lesser art, better paper, and double the price of Warner's series.

This is book 7 in the Drinkwater Series. I have previously read number 10, but the U.S. publisher has not been reprinting the books in the order they were written. To fully appreciate the book, you need to read the previous books in the series. Otherwise you will feel at points as if you have walked in on the middle of a story. In this particular episode, Drinkwater is off on a special mission to the Baltic, only to have his orders changed via a message sent through diplomatic channels in Sweden, and by the request of an agent picked up in Russia. Things are complicated by an unreliable lieutenant aboard the ship. Events lead to the diversion of a cargo of gold, and Drinkwater's participation in an intelligence gathering operation. One of Drinkwater's old enemies (from books 2 and 3) is reintroduced. Part of the plot seems a little contrived, but overall it is an interesting story.

Richard Woodman is perhaps the most underrated writer of naval action novels. His Nathaniel Drinkwater series, of which Baltic Mission is the seventh, combines realism, action, excellent characterization, and a gothic thread running through it. Drinkwater, who is a very decent man although not simplistically so, has to face various levels of human evil and depravity. Drinkwater has had three nemeses woven in and out of the series; the vile Morris from his first ship, the evil but cunning Edouard Santhonax, and his own wayward brother Edward. In Baltic Mission Drinkwater deals with two out of the three.

The time is 1807 and Napoleon has been checked but not defeated at Eylau. Only Csar Alexander of Russia is able to stand against Napoleon and Drinkwater is sent to the Baltic to provide encouragement/assistance to the Russians. However, Alexander may be tiring of his fight against Napoleon and Drinkwater must be sure that he doesn't enrich a potential enemy. A mission to find out the status of the combatants is in order. Along the way Drinkwater has to deal with his irascible First Lieutenant Sam Rogers who is descending into alcoholism.

Drinkwater is now in his 40s and suffering from his wounds. Series regulars Mr. Q. and Tregembo are back. Tregembo is now described as an old man although his age before was never specifically mentioned. I had the impression that Tregembo was a few years older than Drinkwater but he seems to have reached old age in one novel.

Much of Baltic Mission takes place on land so it doesn't have the same level of naval action that other novels in the series have although the rousing conclusion is in keeping with earlier series entries. This one is more cloak and dagger with continued gothic elements and suspense. While Baltic Mission doesn't have the same intensity as Eye of the Fleet or sense of grand tragedy as 1805 it's still an entertaining read and perhaps a bit of a change of pace. To this point there have been no bad entries in the series and given Woodman's writing ability I doubt there will be.

I have been enjoying the turn-of-the-century series written by the husband and wife team of Bill and Susan Albert. I am actually sorry to see the end of this series. It was always a nice blend of fictional and historical characters, and the mysteries were always fun to figure out. Also, the time that the series is set in is when there were so many technological changes (the motor car, wireless transmitting, photography, etc) It's always informative to see how these things started and the author team always did their research. In this book we meet Marconi and are in at the ground floor of wireless transmissions. We are also in the very beginnings that set up for World War I. English people were just beginning to question what was actually going on in Germany with the Kaiser at the helm. This book also gives us a wonderful picture of the beautiful Cornwall scenery. I highly recommend this series for those who love historical mysteries. Start at Book 1 and read and enjoy right up to Book 12.

i really injoyed robin paige victorian mystery death on the lizard.i have really gotten into her characters because i have read alot of her books.i think i really know the characters in her books.charles and lady sheridan.after a while you try to put yourself in their place back in the victorian age. phyllis childres

Two years earlier, though the competition is fierce, the Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Company successfully sent the first wireless message across the Atlantic from their Bass Point Station in Lizard Village, Cornwall. However, by 1903 much of the initial euphoria has worn off as sabotage slows down progress. More frightening, a fisherman finds the battered body of Jack Gordon who the officials declared fell off the nearby cliff to his accidental death. When a second accident leaves another employee dead, the company and the locals conjecture whether a rival is warning off the workforce; no one believes an accident occurred as two tragedies so close together seem too coincidental especially since more damaging disruption including the stealing of a key valuable piece of equipment has occurred at the wireless station.

While Lady Kate Sheridan visits her grieving friend Lady Jenna Loveday, whose daughter Harriet recently drowned, local authorities ask her husband Charles, a successful amateur sleuth, to investigate the two "accidental" deaths that they now believe are homicides. He soon connects Harriet's drowning, the deaths of the employees of the wireless company to the industrial espionage and sabotage, but that knowledge places Charles and Kate in danger from a person willing to kill to take control of the growing international communications business.

DEATH ON THE LIZARD is a fantastic historical mystery, which in spite of a wonderful who-done-it investigation, the early twentieth century communication technology takes front and center as readers cannot help but to compare it with cell phones and internet instant chat lines, etc. The story line is action-packed, but also provides a deep historical look at Cornwall and at the beginnings of the technology revolution. The key cast members, not just the sleuthing marital team, are fully developed as Team Paige is at their best with this insightful look at the late Victorian Age.

Harriet Klausner

Death on the Lizard: An Edwardian Mystery
Robin Paige

The Lizard, a peninsula in the extreme south west of England, was the site chosen by Marconi to send the first transatlantic wireless signal early in the twentieth century. The husband and wife writing team who go under the pseudonym Robin Paige have made this the event and location for another of their British historical mysteries.
The team of Kate and Charles Sheridan are involved in investigating a couple of sudden and unexplained deaths that threaten Marconi's work. It is this focus on the very early days of wireless transmissions that lifts the book out of the ordinary. Marconi's pioneering work is well known. Less well known are the other companies and individuals who were striving to implement other similar systems, or to retain the older system of communicating via transatlantic cable. Their machinations, and the research done to uncover them, add a great deal to the book.
The plot is satisfying in its complexity and the characters are vivid. This is basically a masculine tale, but there is a large enough role for Kate and her friends - light relief, really, from the main action - that the reader does not feel overwhelmed with scientific detail. As always the pacing is excellent, the conflict mounts to an interesting series of climaxes and the stakes are naturally very high.
What spoiled the book, for me, was the accent on Lord and Lady This and Lord and Lady That. They say the English are class conscious but this pair of Texans seem more class conscious than any English person I ever met. They even throw in an upcoming visit from royalty in case all the lords and ladies mentioned were not enough. Maybe it was an attempt at satire. I also got rather tired of the glowing description of Cornwall. Yes, it's a beautiful part of the world, but azure/ceruleanskies get a bit much chapter after chapter.
I'm a big fan of Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles mysteries set in Texas. The Albert's live in Texas and have a feeling for it. It comes across in a strong and genuine fashion. I find their portrayal of England is disappointingly shallow.

Kate & Charles Sheridan are back in their 12th novel, set in Cornwall in 1903. The well-known person featured in this story is Edward Marconi, who is working on his new technology, the telegraph. Charles is asked to investigate some strange happenings with Marconi's company, while Kate (separately) was asked to help a friend in the same area who is grieving for her daughter's recent death. While Kate is ferreting out the mysterious goings-on with the child's death, Charles is knee-deep in bodies and clues. The two are kept busy, but manage to solve the cases but not without some danger to themselves. Not my favorite of their (Bill & Susan Wittig Albert) stories, but another good read.

Light read, not very believable nor well-written. Should go back to reading Maeve Binchy.....the ultimate writer of Irish women.

A gem of a book! Characters you won't soon forget, along with a story to keep you laughing and wondering what will happen next. Philo Nolan is a remarkable woman. If you like Irish fiction and memoirs, you will enjoy this book.

Delightful working-class Irish romp that packs a punch in quite a few ways. Funny, insightful, mordant and eminently readable. I'll be reading more Sheridan.

EVERY INCH OF HER by Peter Sheridan
September 24, 2004

Here is a wonderful tale of a survivor, Philo Dolan, and her story is told in EVERY INCH OF HER. Peter Sheridan creates a lovable character in Philo, who despite all her problems, makes sure that everyone around her is happy and being taken care of.

In the first chapter, Philo arrives at a local convent, seeking a place to stay. She has left her husband and children, but does not tell this to the nuns. She lets them believe she's a single woman wanting to become one of them. The nuns, however, find it hard to believe, especially by looking at Philo's huge body covered with tattoos, and hearing that between every few sentences are uttered a foul word. Philo keeps forgetting that nuns do not swear.

She also forgets that nuns do not smoke, and Philo is a chain smoker. She is also a compulsive eater, and at close to 250 pounds, she still cannot seem to stop. She eats to help forget her own problems, that of her abusive husband, the children she has left behind, and her past, which she wishes no one to find out about.

Philo is not one to give up, however. She always makes the best of a situation, and now that she lives at the convent, she does her best to fit in by helping out. Her crowning achievement is helping out at the senior citizen's center, and between herself and her new best friend Sister Rosaleen, they get the seniors blood stirring with a few rowdy games of bingo and a game of BLIND DATE.

All good things do come to an end and Tommo, Philo's husband, tracks her down at the convent. Does Philo return to him and her children, or will she stand up to him and stay with the nuns?

EVERY INCH OF HER was a delight to read. Philo was a character that was easy to love, and it was fun to read about her antics. She's quite a personality, with her faults and vices but yet written in such a fashion that one cannot help but want to meet her. Sheridan also did a good job at painting a picture of the Irish working class. This book reminds one somewhat of ANGELA'S ASHES, another sad tale told in a humorous tone. Not told in quite the same epic scale as ANGELA'S ASHES, but just as memorable.

Philomena Nolan is an abused housewife and mother living among Ireland's working class in Peter Sheridan's EVERY INCH OF HER. The highlight of this novel is Philo and what makes her tick. She's one of those characters who will warm a person's heart, leaving an impression upon the reader and making her very unlikely to forget.

Her circumstances in life are not great. She has just run away from her husband and children to seek comfort at a convent, pretending to be a single woman without children. She tries to talk her way into the convent by claiming she has always wanted to be a nun. The tattoos on her body as well as her large size and gruff attitude make them a little nervous at first, but the nuns take her in, at least temporarily.

Appearances are often deceiving, and it is so with Philo. Her outward appearance may be that of a tough, crude woman, but in reality she has a heart of gold. Despite her personal problems, Philo finds ways to make others happy. She's a wonderful nurturer, and although not all of the nuns at the convent warm up to her right away, she eventually finds her way into everyone's heart --- at the convent and anywhere she goes.

Philo has many vices. She's a chain smoker, and living at the convent means that no smoking is allowed. She sneaks the cigarettes with the help of Sister Rosaleen, a nun who takes Philo under her wing, despite the disapproval of some of the other nuns. Philo and Sister Rosaleen bond and become good friends and co-conspirators at the convent, making for some very funny scenes throughout the novel.

Philo's other vice is food. Her mother has taught her that eating will always make her feel better. So if she's unhappy, she eats --- and she eats a lot. As Philo's weight approaches three hundred pounds, it is safe to say that food is always on her mind. Sneaking in bacon and eggs in the middle of the night while the rest of the world sleeps, or eating a handful of candy bars to pass the time, is a daily occurrence. She eats all she can during the wee hours of the morning, and then sleeps the food off in the morning. It is her way of coping with the many worries of her world.

Her main source of concern is her husband Tommo. He constantly berates her in front of the children, and has given her a black eye or two. Yet, when Philo runs away from him and the family, he always comes back to her, begging her to return, telling her that he's lonely and needs her. When Philo runs away this time, she refuses to return, despite the fact that Tommo has gotten rid of the children and placed them in an orphanage. Philo knows that the children are better off without their parents, yet she misses them so much. However, she thinks it's best that she stay in the convent to keep her children and herself safe from Tommo.

In the meantime, Philo's life is now centered on the convent. During the day she helps out at a senior citizens center, where she and the nuns help prepare food. With love and inspiration, Philo performs miracles at the center, creating new life and energy among the elderly, giving them newfound happiness. She gets them involved in Bingo, with the help of Sister Rosaleen, as well as a crazy game called Blind Date. From here, a subplot emerges --- that of the love story of two elderly persons at the center, Cap Coyle and Dina Sugrue, who have known each other for decades but have been sworn enemies due to a history that involves Cap's best friend Gerry, who later became Dina's husband.

Philo's life takes on new meaning as she helps out at the Senior Center, visits her children when she can, and plays matchmaker with Cap and Dina. But once again, Tommo reappears in her life, and it's not good.

One cannot say enough about EVERY INCH OF HER. It is beautifully written, told with a touch of humor. Sheridan does a good job at describing life in the North Wall, which can be hard, but there are plenty of friends and family to help one get through the day. It is a tale of one person's desire to survive, to find happiness, and to overcome insecurities and demons from the past. Highly recommended.

--- Reviewed by Marie Hashima Lofton (Ratmammy@lofton.org)

You kind of suspect that any sailing to strange waters is probably not off to a good start when it begins with hanging one of the crewman. Especially, when you as Captain, recognize that it is most like unwarranted, although absolutely required under British law.

Drinkwater is being sent to the Pacific Northwest to "show the flag" so to speak and in doing so he encounters difficulties and dangers that seem to await him wherever he sails.

As usual, Richard Wodman captures the essence of wht it must have been like in those days and gives the reader a large measure of sailing adventure as the H.M.S. Patrician ventures forth into "distant waters."

The author continues to excel at this type of novel and I have ordered all of the remaining books he has written with Captain Drinkwater and look forward to several months of adventure on the high seas.

This is one of the later novels in the Drinkwater series. I believe it is number eight if I have counted correctly. It is passably good fiction, but not the best in the series. The author seems to borrow a bit from Forester, sending Captain Drinkwater on a mission to the Pacific just as Spain is again switching sides, destroying a Spanish frigate and then discovering belatedly that Spain is now again an ally. The author seems to fall into the bad habit O'Brien had in some of his later novels, i.e., the action brushes past some events that are referred to by reference, and the action is left somewhat unfinished, with Drinkwater still in the Pacific, to be picked up in a sequel.

I think perhaps that Drinkwater also comes across a little too much as a superhero. Forester's Hornblower was a more believable character if you stick to the novels (the second TV series went a bit astray with the character, and seemed to be about someone else). When Hornblower lost a ship, he escaped and returned to England in a smaller, recaptured vessel. Perhaps this would have been a better novel if Drinkwater would have escaped and returned home in the captured Spanish dispatch vessel. The action in this novel was more along the lines of George Abercrombie Fox capturing the Turkish harem.

I would note that the author seems to get a bit inventive with United States history (I had that problem in another of his later novels). In checking the history of Astoria, Oregon (inside the mouth of the Columbia River), I can find nothing about Russians. The American Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the location by land in 1805, and spent the winter there before returning home in 1806. John Jacob Astor's fur trading company (American) founded a permanent fur trading post at the site in 1811, which was sold to the British NorthWest Company in 1813.

Following on BALTIC MISSION, Woodman again shows us British-Russian enmities, but here far, far from the European scene of the previous seven novels. Now 1808, Capt. Drinkwater's frigate rounds the cape and heads to the Northern Pacific, experiencing a long slide of morale among his crew of sailors too long without shore leave. For once he is not on a spy mission. He encounters a dishonorable Spanish captain and perfidy, intrigues his way through Spanish San Francisco with the help of a beautiful woman, runs afoul of bad luck and helpless defeat, and is bested by a Yankee mountain man. The book climaxes in a series of violent encounters with the Russians, who are moving on (British) Oregon from Alaska in alliance with Spain. This is an unusual but true setting for one of the more remote encounters of the Napoleonic Wars, the world's first true World War of global empires.

These are well-crafted and authentic sounding stories, but without the infectious humor of a Forester or O'Brian, or the gusto of Lambdin. Woodman writes in a style that is a little too serious and grim to evoke my empathy or wonder, and skips too quickly through the battle scenes. He doesn't quite seem to love the sea and those who sail upon it. IMHO, the better sailing-navy authors I've read would rank as: O'Brian and Forester, Lambdin and the new Stockwin, Woodman, with real Capt. Murryat and Adm. Mack below the line. (Sheridan House omits three of the early books from its Drinkwater republication list, but is printed on better stock than the earlier, execrable but much cheaper, Time Warner pb edition.)

Here we see Nat in command of Patrician, a cut-down 64 (Antigone having been too badly damaged in the previous battle); neither he nor his men were allowed leave for reasons of national security and his first task is to hang a deserter - not an auspicious start to a trip round the Horn.
Mother Russia is in evidence again and there are hints of desertion that become all too real after landing on a deserted island; the little freedom the crew are given is curtailed as they sight, then sink a prize; more desertions as they repatriate the prisoners, then sabotage almost completes the felony. To say more would reveal too much, but there is more than enough intrigue and action to hold the attention.

Slightly different from the previous 7 in the series, it appears stilted and chopped into seemingly disparate paragraphs, which throws one initially, but ultimately works very well as the hints and threads of the plots are drawn together. As usual, the spare, accurate descriptions leave one in no doubt as to the relative positions of the protagonists in each action, making it enjoyably easy to follow the sequence.
Again, this is based on fact, the surprising thing is how many of the characters really existed.
An exceptionally fine read *****

I became addicted to the Nathaniel Drinkwater series with the first installment. In my opinion the Drinkwater series is greatly underrated in the genre. Woodman has managed to create a niche between the lyricism of Patrick O'Brian and the furious action of Alexander Kent. Woodman writes well but sparingly and creates realistic characters with depth. Drinkwater, his prime creation, is the most realistic of any protagonist in the genre. He is a decent man who makes mistakes and doesn't always have control of the situation. He doesn't have the personal magnetism of a Bolitho or Ramage nor does he have the brilliance of a Hornblower. He does his duty to the best of his ability and ultimately is successful.

In Distant Waters starts out ominously where Baltic Mission left off. Having brought sensitive intelligence back to England Drinkwater and his crew are immediately dispatched halfway round the world more for security reasons than from necessity it appears. Drinkwater must begin by hanging a deserter who in his own mind shouldn't be hanged under the circumstances. The demands of duty outweigh all other demands. The hanging casts a pall over the entire novel and is undoubtedly a motivator for some of the later problems.

The route, the date and to some extent the mission are similar to The Happy Return, a trip round the Horn in 1808 to play havoc with the Spanish. Readers of the genre will know what neither Drinkwater nor Hornblower knew, that the Spanish will change sides. Like Hornblower in The Happy Return Drinkwater will not find out about the switch in time and must pursue subsequent plans accordingly. At this point the similarities end. While Hornblower was in firm command of his ship, Drinkwater's leadership and crew loyalty are tenuous. Drinkwater has the added complication of needing to deal with the Russians without complete orders.

In Distant Waters proceeds from bad to worse and if the reader didn't know this was a series would wonder if things could ever work out. Drinkwater must deal with a crew that quite rightly believes that it has been mistreated (not by Drinkwater's hand), limited information, perfidious and dishonourable enemies, and an overall sense of gloom. The Drinkwater series is gothic in nature and In Distant Waters is one of the most gothic in the series. Fortunately for Drinkwater he has his wits about him, his faithful Tregembo and the redoubtable Mr. Q.

The novel features only one major sea battle in its climax. However, there are a number of minor engagements plus a steady progression of action that builds suspense to a thunderous climax. When the climactic battle occurs, it is a release from the tension and gloom that have built up throughout the novel.

The Nathaniel Drinkwater series is excellent and In Distant Waters is a strong entry worthy of inclusion. If you haven't read the earlier novels read them. If you have read In Distant Waters then proceed immediately to A Private Revenge.

great pocket guide to forecasting the weather in the near-term future. (ie, 2-4 hours in advance) this would be an excellent companion for any outdoor enthusiast.

"Instant Weather Forecasting" reads like a zen field guide to weather prediction. It begins like most books of its kind with basic weather terminology and definitions with a few black and white diagrams and a couple of nifty charts of cloud types and wind force.

But the heart of this book is the 24 color cloud pictures which follow, each with its own chart to tell you what type of weather is following based on wind. visibility, precipitation, cloud covering, temperature and air pressure. The pictures are grouped by weather (i.e Sky associated with bad weather, sky associated with no immediate change, etc.) By no means exhaustive, it still makes for an excellent field companion.
Also recommended, Basic Essentials: Weather Forecasting, 2nd Edition(ISBN 0762704780) and Braving the Elements (ISBN 038546956X).

INSTANT WEATHER FORECASTING by Alan Watts (NOT the philosopher Alan Wilson Watts, by the way) is a handy and important quick reference guide that's simple to use. Simply match the sky you see with one of the photos in this book and you have a dead reckoning weather prediction for the next six to twelve hours.

It may not be a weatherfax, but for those of us who sail and depend on our informed instincts INSTANT WEATHER FORECASTING can be a lifesaver---especially in having a sense for local conditions.

This is a short, pamphlet book with 20-30 full page pictures of clouds, accompanied by technical information that would supposedly allow you to look at the sky and predict the weather. I don't think so. The weather wizards book discussed the progression of cloud formations and is a much better book for this purpose. I found this book to be at one too technical and too simple. Had the author placed the photographs in the order one typically observes the change from high to low to high, or warm cold warm, and discussed what is happening within these systems and how the clouds reflect that, this could have been much better.

This book rates 5 stars IF you use it for its intended pupose only.

Very fast. No mounds of text to crawl through. Find the photo and sky that most closely matches what you are seeing, factor in a couple of additional points, and your predictions for the next several hours, or a bit more than that, are likely to be as reliable as any other source you may have.
This little book should be an essential resource at sea.

Downside? More than half a day or so, and accuracy of your prediction will decrease. While this is always true in looking at weather forecasting tools, be certain to keep this in mind when using this very nice quick resource.

Highly recommended.