Customer Reviews

The King's Commission (Alan Lewrie Naval Adventures)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is early 1782 and Desperate, 20 guns, having 'retreated gracefully' from the Yorktown debacle is now in train with Admiral Hood's fleet running down to the Caribbean. Unfortunately, the Frogs are chasing under the command of the wily de Grasse, who didn't get where he is by avoiding encounters.
The action starts soon enough and de Grasse exploits every possibility to bring the Rosbifs to task, but fails miserably, leaving Desperate to pick off a 28 shadowing a message schooner. In the aftermath of the battle, Alan Lewrie is appointed master of the prize. The result of Alan's actions is unexpected promotion into the brig Shrike, a Dutch-built 12, as 1st luff under a wily old sea-dog as mad as a hatter.
Alan can't keep his mouth shut or his breeches buttoned-up, which leads to some unfortunate and raunchy interludes, affecting his earlier career, and, it seems, his future.
Not a series for those new to the genre, or with no nautical knowledge, as there is not the untarred landsman colleague to explain the intricacies of naval terminology to, as in Aubrey & Maturin.
But ... the above- and below-decks descriptions are among the best I've read, although Mr. Lambdin does rather overdo the vernacular and accents a bit too much for fluid reading, however it does add an extra touch of reality.
Luck plays its part again in the aftermath of another debacle, this time to good effect as Lewrie meets Nelson and receives his second promotion in a year.
A raunchier series than most, but well worth reading.*****

Alan Lewrie, now an experienced seaman and junior watch-stander despite only a couple of years in the Royal Navy, is a refreshingly Corinthian your rake, dividing his attentions pretty much evenly between increasing his growing competence in his profession and topping every female he can find. Here he parts company from the unpredictable Capt. Treghues and from his friend and mentor, Lt. Railsford. Then he receives, as a reward for bravery and demonstrated abilities, an early appointment as 1st Lieutenant into a small brig commanded by the superannuated Lt. Lilycrop -- one of the most delightful and fully developed supporting characters Lambdin has yet come up with. Of course, Alan later learns his being given such a post was a clerical error, . . . but he manages to keep his job nevertheless. (As a more senior officer later remarks, sheer luck and the ability to land on one's feet is probably as important a factor in naval success as seamanship.) Then comes a galloping but adventure among the Creeks of the West Florida coast -- including Lewrie's temporary acquisition of a lovely young Indian wife. The character of Desmond McGilliveray is based on the real Alexander McGillivray, a Creek-Scot half-breed raised white but still well-connected among the tribes. Lambdin paints him as a superior, rather prim sort, which doesn't really fit with the historical McGillivray's character (with which I am familiar from rersearch on the Panton and Leslie trading companies during that period). Nothing really goes quite right for Our Hero in this volume, but that's the way real life often is. An increasingly enjoyable series.

Fast-paced and fun, this is a pretty good choice for fans of the really GOOD wooden ships & iron men stories. Lambdin isn't technically much of a writer and characterization is minimal but the pace is great and the author not only really seems to know his Age of Sail history. The anti-hero aspects of Lewrie make a pleasant break from his rivals who are generally perfect. Not as much of the fun bawdy sex in this one as in King's Coat, but its a plus. Comparisons to Patrick O'Brien or even C.S. Forester are embarrassing and stupid--this stuff is fun to read but Mr. Lambdin falls well short of the master..

Like the whole series, this is very good, with more realism (and much more sex) than Forester's Hornblower and much freer, less wooden writing than all but the first few of O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin. If you like this series, try the following historical naval series: James L. Nelson (Biddlecomb -- Revolutionary War -- e.g., "Force of Arms"), Alexander Kent (Bolitho -- Napoleanic Wars -- e.g., "Command a King's Ship"). Harder to find, also try Richard Woodman (Drinkwater -- Napoleanic Wars -- e.g., "An Eye of the Fleet") and Dudley Pope (Ramage -- e.g., "Governer Ramage RN"). On land, Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe is pretty good too.

Dewey Lambdin does an excellent job portraying the image of living and working a wooden sailing vessel as well as give a feeling for what it was like in the British navy of the late 1700s. Unlike other authors who use the British navy as a setting for a plot, the author evokes the feeling that you are part of the character and the story is happening to you. The protaganist is a normal young man who was kicked out of the house for being to hard a child to handle (supposedly). Part of the assocoation with the protaganist comes from the down to earth situations he gets himself into. Like any other young 'buck' in his late teens, early twenties, he doesn't always think with his head on his shoulders when he is looking for a good time. This is definately the series for you if you want an honest look at life in the King's navy with the attending comradere, boredom and technical details. It is not for those who feel that thinking/acting like a sex a sex starved young man is unacceptable. I suggest you start reading as early in the series as you can. Start with 'The King's Coat' (if available, it might be out of print), move on through 'The French Admiral', 'The King's Commission', 'The King's Privateer', 'The Gun Ketch' and 'HMS Cockrel'. 'For King and Country' is a trilogy that begins where the protaganist begins to settle down and contains 'The King's Commission', The King's Privateer' and 'The Gun Ketch'. It will be interesting to see how the author handles the young man coming of age. That telling of that kind of transition is what will really determine if the author is as good as he appears to be.

These are excellent books! Tell the publisher we want them all! You may have trouble getting the first two: "The King's Coat" and "The French Admiral" as they're out of print and not being reprinted by Fawcett which picked up at "The King's Commission." Check your local library, though, you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

Anyway, starting from our hero's "impressment" as a rather old Midshipman, you are easily captivated by the humanity of this aspiring British Naval officer. Not afraid to admit to himself his fear of cannon balls, or his strong desire to "put the leg over," Alan Lewrie is a fun-loving, yet suprisingly competent rogue! This is a fun read that you won't want to put down.

You should also consider reading (my favorites, in order):
1. Alexander Kent (Bolitho series)
2. Dudley Pope (Lord Ramage series)
3. C.S. Forester (Horatio Hornblower)
4. Richard Woodman (Nathaniel Drinkwater)
5. Patrick O'Brian (Aubrey-Maturin)
5. Captain Frederick Marryatt (Mr. Midshipman Easy)

I have just completed my third Alan Lewrie book and must say that I am enjoying them immensely. I was/continue to be a big fan of the Patrick O'Brien books, but it is quite obvious that Dewey Lambdin knows his way around a sailing ship better than O'Brien. While not as "litry" as O'Brien, Lambdin has his moments. The battle scenes are better written, and the characterizations really come to life. And the 800 pound gorilla in the room - O'Brien's inability to deal with the randy and risque life of life aboard (and off) ship. While Lambdin undoubtedly over-eggs the pudding in this regard, one cannot help but feel that the Lewrie series runs a bit closer to the real life of the British sailor than O'Brien. That is not to say O'Brien is not deserving of a special place in historical fiction heaven. I just think Lambdin should have a settee nearby.

I read an earlier review that said this was a series that hooked one from the start. How true, how true. Better than Cornwell in my humble opinion.

Alan Lewrie is growing up fast into a somewhat decent man and a more than decent officer in the Royal Navy, but in 1781 the British have been taking a beating in the Colonies and now, in the Caribbean, things don't look much better, with the French Admiral de Grasse continuing to cause trouble. Lewrie's career, however, was looking pretty good. His name had been cleared with the help of friendly officers, and he now knows he's got some family and a bit of an inheritance back in England. He's also serving under a friendly Captain. But the good doesn't last when the new First Lieutenant comes aboard--a man who promises to drum Lewrie out of the service. However, Lewrie continues to have lots of luck--both good and bad--and he's reassigned in a good position to another ship.

The brig-o'war Shrike is an odd little ship, starting with the ferocious cats and the positively ancient Master and Commander, Lt. Lilycrop, whom Lewrie is convinced is mad as a hatter. But Lilycrop does know his seamanship and Lewrie, more than ever, is forced to learn or go down in flames, and he's determined not to fail. There are prizes to be had at sea, and a hazardous expedition back into the wilds of Florida to be experienced, as well as negotiating the dangers ashore of an insatiable married woman who will not be scorned, a gorgeous Native American girl and the beautiful young but empty-headed niece of an Admiral.

This series continues to be great fun to read, and Lewrie continues to be an outrageously wild but smart and competent hero who continues to grow and become more interesting. I can't wait until the next book!

The third installation of the Lewrie series was very entertaining. I thought number two was a little boring, but this book was back in stride with the first book. Lewrie is a likable devil. Full of lust and deceit, but good at heart. I find that Lambdin's subplots of Lewrie ashore, usually involving women, to be very entertaining. It gives the stories variety, and gives insight into the time period of the stories. He does a masterful job of creating dramatic plotlines that are intriguing and entertaining.

Lambdin's description of life at sea is also excellent. He captures the unique lifestyle, and Lewrie's character melds in well in this setting. I look forward to the fourth story.