Customer Reviews

Havoc's Sword

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read Hornblower, Bolitho, Aubrey, Ramage, and Drinkwater. Only Cornwell's Sharpe comes close to being as real of a person as Lewrie. I'm not rich, I'm no English gentleman, and I have no idea what it's like to have everything go my way and make me a hero. Thus, fictional "heroes" like Lewrie appeal to me. He screws up, regularly, he makes mistake after mistake, and he tends to hang himself over and over - I can relate to that. After reading about two of the books, I found myself thinking along the same lines as Lewrie, smacking myself in the head for my thoughts and decisions (like Lewrie), and mouthing off to the adversarial characters like Lewrie. It's not predictability, it's relating to the character. Additionally, Dewey Lambdin is a fantastic guy. He lives in Nashville, enjoys a beer, and responds to fan mail on a regular old-fashioned typewriter. What more can you ask? No hoity-toity author, no hoity-toity hero, and no hoity-toity, too-good-to-be-true stories.

Although Dewey Lambdin will never surpass the late Patrick O'Brian for literary quality, he does approach the latter's high standards, in this, the latest installment in the Alan Lewrie naval series. Here Captain Lewrie must contend again with his French nemesis Guillaume Choundas, mired in political intrigue which will affect both Great Britain and the United States. Lewrie must contend with two British government spies and become uneasy allies with American naval officers, uniting briefly to deal with Capitaine Choundas. Lambdin offers a realistic view as to what life must have been like aboard a Royal Navy frigate at the turn of the 18th Century, coupled with his good humor and wit. This is a fine addition to the Alan Lewrie series.

While this latest adventure doesn't have the punch of some of the earlier novels it does set the stage for Alan Lewrie's followers to have some interesting reading in the future. Very solid in maintaining Lambdin's grasp of the nautical aspects...although I will say that Soft Rabbit's son making an appearance is a bit of a stretch.

If you're interested in a dry, historically precise, nautical read lacking humor, this may not be the read for you. However, if you enjoy spot-on period characterizations of the late 18th early 19th century nautical world, this is a book you should read.
Lambdin writes with great humor; sometimes tongue in cheek. His characters are captivating, often flawed but always in keeping with the mores of the time. For an American, his knowledge of British seamanship and ability to write from an English perspective is nothing short of amazing. His ability to incorporate historical events into stories of great adventure will certainly encourage younger readers as well amateur historians to do further research on the events he cites. (...)
At no small expense, I have managed to collect all of Dewey Lambdin's books in hardcover so that future generations of my family may be thoroughly entertained by an arousing romp through the "not-so-distant past". I highly recommend all of Lamdin's work to those readers who possess a love of adventure as well as a sense of humor. Warning: Not for the prudish.

Another great addition to the Lewrie series. Discovered them a few months ago and sadly only a few more to go. I have read these nonstop to the point my wife thinks I am addicted, and as Lewrie would say " my arse on a bandbox, I am.

It's 1798, and while Nelson is achieving greatness in the Mediterranean with the Battle of the Nile, Alan Lewrie is still cruising the Caribbean on the HMS Proteus. But Lewrie's old enemy, the hideously disfigured Guillaume Choundas has newly arrived, to make life interesting, and so have two British spies who have the usual outlandish plans in the works. Lewrie has different aims in mind, of course, and for once things seem to be going his way. He's still in utter disgrace on the domestic front, however, which means he's actually trying to behave...!

This is the 11th Alan Lewrie adventure, so if a reader has made it this far, they are either somewhat compulsive or masochistic, or they really enjoy this series. And there is a lot to enjoy. Lewrie remains both very human and very likable, and his adventures are just a lot of fun to read. The series is best read from the beginning, and I for one, would heartily recommend the entire series. I can't wait to get on to read the next book.

While this book offered so much promise, the fact is that I found it difficult to follow and not in keeping with the rest of the series. The French characters take some time to sort out and the confusion only mounts with the author's British writing style. Historical references are used with abandon and many are incorrect for the timeline of the book. While it is a fair yarn, all I can say is that I'm glad the local library bought it instead of me.

A typical Dewey Lambdin book!

Much love,sex and danger.
Great sea battles, usually won by Alan Lewrie. He is always in trouble with with someone, be it the British Navy, and haunted by HM's Foreign Office agents!!

As usual , Alan survives battles,sex and lies!

Michael O'Mara

Havoc's Sword is a slow, somewhat tedious read. We just never develop much of an interest in Lewerie and his activities. Old characters are brought in to bolster this weak piece. They don't. I've read all the books in the series. This one isn't close to the preceding works. Sorry Dewey but I think you mailed this one in.

After almost 2 yrs. waiting for this book I was very disappointed.Its the worst book so far.I was looking forward to a great read after mr. lambdins long vacation.This book sucked....