Amazon.com
The appeal of Dava Sobel's Longitude was, in part, that it illuminated a little-known piece of history through a series of captivating incidents and engaging personalities. Nathaniel Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea is certainly cast from the same mold, examining the 19th-century Pacific whaling industry through the arc of the sinking of the whaleship Essex by a boisterous sperm whale. The story that inspired Herman Melville's classic Moby-Dick has a lot going for it--derring-do, cannibalism, rescue--and Philbrick proves an amiable and well-informed narrator, providing both context and detail. We learn about the importance and mechanics of blubber production--a vital source of oil--and we get the nuts and bolts of harpooning and life aboard whalers. We are spared neither the nitty-gritty of open boats nor the sucking of human bones dry.
By sticking to the tried and tested Longitude formula, Philbrick has missed a slight trick or two. The epicenter of the whaling industry was Nantucket, a small island off Cape Cod; most of the whales were in the Pacific, necessitating a huge journey around the southernmost tip of South America. We never learn why no one ever tried to create an alternative whaling capital somewhere nearer. Similarly, Philbrick tells us that the story of the Essex was well known to Americans for decades, but he never explores how such legends fade from our consciousness. Philbrick would no doubt reply that such questions were beyond his remit, and you can't exactly accuse him of skimping on his research. By any standard, 50 pages of footnotes impress, though he wears his learning lightly. He doesn't get bogged down in turgid detail, and his narrative rattles along at a nice pace. When the storyline is as good as this, you can't really ask for more. --John Crace, Amazon.co.uk
Book Description
The ordeal of the whaleship Essex was an event as mythic in the nineteenth century as the sinking of the Titanic was in the twentieth. In 1819, the Essex left Nantucket for the South Pacific with twenty crew members aboard. In the middle of the South Pacific the ship was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale. The crew drifted for more than ninety days in three tiny whaleboats, succumbing to weather, hunger, disease, and ultimately turning to drastic measures in the fight for survival. Nathaniel Philbrick uses little-known documents-including a long-lost account written by the ship's cabin boy-and penetrating details about whaling and the Nantucket community to reveal the chilling events surrounding this epic maritime disaster. An intense and mesmerizing read, In the Heart of the Sea is a monumental work of history forever placing the Essex tragedy in the American historical canon.
Customer Reviews:
Terrible Tragedy Wonderfully Told.......2007-10-23
Philbrick deserves the praise given to Into the Heart of the Sea. In giving a historic account of the true story that gave inspiration for Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Philbrick unveils the world of the Nantucket whaling industry and the fate of one unfortunate crew. For a history book, this is a rich page-turner that is uncommon in its historic depth and compelling narrrative.
A Good Read.......2007-10-21
I only started to read this book because someone gave me it to me and said it was good. I didn't even think it sounded like something I would enjoy. I was wrong! I was drawn into the story quickly. Historical fiction that is truly interesting and compelling.
Sloppy, opinionated so called nonfiction almost thriller.......2007-10-18
I guess agreeing with the "big time" reviewers isn't something that I can do with this one. Winning the National Book Award is just ridiculous. Were there no other books entered in this category?
This is my second Nathaniel Philbrick book (Mayflower - being the first), and I was very disappointed with it. I knew that the author likes to throw his opinion as historical fact, but it wasn't as clear in Mayflower as it is in this book. It is obvious that Philbrick is mostly taking a couple of written diaries (as there are only two or three written accounts) and he milks them as much as possible. That would be okay, but the constant references to other shipwrecks and disasters that have no bearing on this one bored the snot out of me. Also, his constant reminder that the Donner party ate themselves (being chronologically after the time of this book) really should not have been included for any reason.
Philbrick took a short story and tried desperately to turn it into a longer one. At that he was successful. The expansion of the thought process of the shipwrecked victims made it sound as if the author talked to them and put down all of their thoughts. Since we know that he did not, it was overkill and misplaced in an historical nonfiction book.
The number of references to things that had no bearing on the story, reminds me of a high school term paper and you need to have "X" number of references and therefore you make sure that the people reading it know that you had "X" number of references.
It is an interesting story, but not very well written. The last two chapters are a ramble of things that mean nothing to the storyline.
favorite this year!.......2007-10-18
A page turner, a captivating true story (the best kind, for me) of the whaleship Essex and the things men are capable of. I have told many people about this book and everyone else who has read it agrees with me!
Fantastic.......2007-09-24
I am a big skeptic when I read these types of books. I always assume the author is filling in the substantial blanks in the story with his own interpretation & fluff. I did not feel that way with this authors version of the story.
The story was really entertaining. It was a page turner that kept me up too late on work nights. I think I read the last 1/3 of it without putting it down.
Highly recommended. You will learn a lot about whaling and Nantucket, both of which I surprisingly found captivating.
Amazon.com
Bestselling author Nora Roberts has another classic on her hands with Heart of the Sea. This final installment in Roberts's faerie tale trilogy returns readers to Ardmore, Ireland, where the Gallagher family's pub is the heart of the community. Passionate and beautiful, Darcy Gallagher works as a waitress in the family pub while looking for a way to achieve the glamorous lifestyle to which she would like to become accustomed. Enter wealthy American builder Trevor Magee, whose Irish roots have drawn him back to the childhood home of his grandfather to build a theater. As Darcy and Trevor revel in the heated sexual attraction that flares between them, neither believes that they are the final key to end an ancient spell that separated Carrick the Faerie Prince and his human lady love, Gwen. But Ireland is a magic place, where the faeries dance among mere mortals and love blossoms under starry skies. Let veteran storyteller Nora Roberts transport you to the Emerald Isle, home of the little people and overwhelming passion. --Alison Trinkle
Book Description
Nora Roberts brings her acclaimed Irish trilogy to a close with this tale of a woman whose dreams of riches lead her to the heart's greatest treasure.
Download Description
The conclusion to the enchanting Irish trilogy.
Customer Reviews:
absolutely wonderful trilogy.......2007-10-21
If you are a fan of Nora Roberts' you will no doubt love this trilogy. Read it in order. It's fabulous. As with all her books she creates the characters in such a way it make me sad they are not real. I fell in love with both the brothers. I think the second book is my favorite, but they are all fantastic. Do yourself a favor and read these books.
Heart Attack on the Seashore.......2007-07-25
This book fell off my wife's bookshelf, which made me pick it up and decide to read it. I hadn't read the first two books in the trilogy, but have read a couple of Roberts' other books. As a romance, I enjoyed the feisty aspect of the couple. I fully enjoyed Darcy's independence and appreciated that those qualities remained even after she realized she was in love. The part of the book that did not work for me was that so much of it revolved around the building of the theatre. I thought it was emphasized to such a degree that I fully expected the theatre to be completed by the end of the novel and hear an account of the first concert with the Gallagher family. Instead, we get mired in Trevor's inability to fall in love and say he loves Darcy. While I understand guys who are commitment-shy, it seemed so belabored that by the final pages I was tired of Trevor's romantic stupidity. I also thought that having a record label is a very speculative business, as is building a theatre. The fact that his family had huge amounts of money could explain his ability to dally in the arts, but it hardly seemed like the bedrock of a multi-million dollar multi-national corporation. The fairy story with the ghosts was quaint, but there wasn't much of a bang for the buck there. The legend assumes that dead people have hormones much as the living that results in a dead person mating ritual. I found that story line disrespectful. The Gallagher pub sounded like an interesting place to visit. However, the story seemed to have loose ends and remained incomplete as it abruptly concluded. I would have liked a chapter that projected the characters into the future a bit for us.
My Favorite Trilogy.......2007-06-01
I was recently introduced to Nora Roberts through her In the Garden Trilogy, which I only enjoyed two of the three. Since then, I have jumped head first into reading her books and have experienced quite a few enjoyable reads, both through individual books and trilogies. On a whim, I picked up these three books and, within days, I was finished with the third book. This would have to be my favorite of all her series and by the end of the third book, I was wishing that I hadn't gone through them so fast. The Gallagher family was a blast to read and I enjoyed everything from their family dynamic, to their pub and also the Irish setting. I've already passed them off to a co-worker and am looking forward to reading them again. Roberts also made me fall in love with Ireland through her wonderfully described setting and Irish tales. Highly recommended reading!
Love all of Nora's romance books.......2007-02-25
You can never go wrong with a Nora Roberts romance novel and this is just one more great one in the list.
Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy by Nora Roberts.......2007-02-16
Do you believe in fairies? Do you have a fondness for the Emerald Isle? Do you believe in true love? You will after reading this enchanting trilogy by Nora Roberts. Thank goodness I purchased all three books at the same time as I couldn't wait for the pages to turn. The characters are so endearing, I often felt that I was inside Gallagher's pub or walking with them over the green hills of Ireland on a "soft" day.
Average customer rating:
- Nora Roberts, Irish Trilogy
- Excellent!!
- Wonderful trilogy!
- damaged goods
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Nora Roberts Irish Trilogy: Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon, Heart of the Sea (Irish Jewels Trilogy)
Nora Roberts
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ASIN: 1590865413
Release Date: 2003-06-10 |
Book Description
Jewels of the Sun (Jill Sovis, engineer)
Determined to re-evaluate her life, Jude Murray flees America to take refuge in Faerie Hill Cottage, where she immerses herself in the study of Irish Folklore, and discovers hope for the future in the magic of the past.
Tears of the Moon (Melissa Coates, engineer)
A talented songwriter, Shawn Gallagher spends his days lost in reverie and wonder, oblivious to the wiles of women and the ways of the world. He claims that he's content with his life, but his music tells a different story - one of loneliness and desperate longing...
Heart of the Sea (Jill Sovis, engineer)
Darcy Gallagher has always believed in the pull of fate, the magic of legend . . . and the importance of money. She longs to find a rich man who will sweep her away - into a world filled with glamour and adventure, and the exotic life that is her destiny.
Customer Reviews:
Nora Roberts, Irish Trilogy.......2007-06-07
This is a great trilogy, I enjoy listening to it to and from work. I have a long drive to and back home from work and the CD's keep me nice and calm in traffic jams.
Excellent!!.......2005-11-08
There is nothing this series does not hit on!! It really has everything needed to make the entire series a real page turner and the characters could be anyone of us, all you have to do is believe love can conquer all thru time and space, these books are a wonderfully enjoyable treasure!!
Wonderful trilogy!.......2005-07-16
This continues to be one of my favorite trilogies! It combines Irish Myths with a real working family.
Each story stands on it's own but at the same time the three together flow very well.
Note to other reviewer George. Call information and get the 1800 number and them talk to a real person. I have had to return a DVD player and they have the best service of anyone I have ever dealt with.
damaged goods.......2005-06-03
I received this item and was joyfully listening to it when I came to tape two of Heart of the Sea- it is all jumbled up- twisted and totally un fixable- I've tried to contact Amazon about this but all I get is the runaround on their AWFUL "return system" on their website. This is a warning to any others who order from Amazon- check your order CAREFULLY. Now I'm stuck with this defective tape and Amazon WON'T LET ME CONTACT THEM!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't given up yet. There's got to be a way to return defective merchandise without being sent to one dead end after another. Sincerely wmclement@yahoo.com
Book Description
This is the most complete book ever written about the history, nature, and science of the remarkable Great Lakes. From the geological forces that formed them to the greatest environ-mental success stories of our time, Jerry Dennis portrays the lakes in all their complexity. This is the story of the lakes as told to the author by biologists, fishermen, and sailors. It is also a narrative of a six-week voyage through the lakes and beyond as a crewmember on a tallmasted schooner, and a memoir of a lifetime spent on and near the lakes. The result is a meditation on nature and our place in the world, a cautionary tale about the future of water resources, and a celebration of a place that is both fragile and robust, diverse, rich in history and wildlife, often misunderstood, and worthy of our attention.
Customer Reviews:
A superlative tale of the Great Lakes.......2007-09-18
As a displaced Michigander, I am often amazed that westerners are almost completely unfamiliar with the Great Lakes. This book would be best enjoyed by those familiar with the region. But even the less familiar will enjoy the gripping adventure found in the many anecdotes offered here. I am on my second read and can't believe how much I had forgotten from my first read. There are stories that will nearly bring you to tears (the near disaster on the day of the Edmund Fitz sinking) and some that will simply amaze. This should be required reading for all school children from this region. Those less fortunate who live elsewhere will still enjoy the enlightening read. And while it certainly encourages protection of the lakes, I didn't find it preachy. It is a very objective book and doesn't dwell too much on the environment.
If there is a better book on the great lakes I haven't found it.
"We are the earth-divers, and the world is made of stories.".......2006-02-13
An enthusiastic outdoorsman, Dennis has written a comprehensive book on the Great Lakes from the perspective of personal experience, scientific data and historical background. He describes the area in its early pristine beauty, from the Indian tribes to the first European settlers and the dawning of industrialization that almost destroyed this natural preserve of geology, flora, fauna and indigenous species. With attention to the tales of the past, Dennis writes of the gradual evolution of natural beauty into a vast resource for lumber, farm products, shipping and related industries, including the influx of a population that has grown around opportunity, all imbued with the awesome grandeur of these vast bodies of water.
On a four-week voyage through the Great Lakes, Dennis views the area from the water, as opposed to his many travels along the shorelines, the exhausting, but fulfilling days on board filled with the lore of the sea, new friendships make while sailing and the eccentric individuals met along the way. Couched in contemporary terms, the author speaks of the past with reverence, his love of history enhanced by regional details, tales of shipwrecks and the personal observations of a man with great reverence for the bounty of this immense body of water and those who live on the miles of coastline that make up the Great Lakes. History is tangible in Dennis's work, impossible to ignore as the men navigate from one lake to another, reminded daily of the pitfalls of ignoring nature and the pleasures of communing with the elements.
The comprehensive chapters cover: Lake Michigan, from land and water; the Straights of Mackinac; Lake Superior, canoeing, the early voyagers, surviving storms; Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and the wilderness; St. Claire River; Lake Ontario, the Erie Canal and the Hudson River. Each chapter addresses relevant information but is complemented by stories, for example, the "White City" constructed in Jackson Park for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, the disappearance of an entire fishing village on the shores of lake Michigan, victim of "walking dunes", Sault Ste. Marie and the rapids of the St. Mary's and The Soo Locks. His eye on an ever-changing environment, Dennis paints a fascinating portrait of nature's bounty in the Great Lakes, past and present, ever vigilant for the dangers of pollution, overuse and the avarice of industrialization: "Bracketed by mysteries, adrift, alone, despairing of our ignorance, we turn to the physical because there, at least, we can know a thing for certain." This is out legacy and the key to the future of a national treasure. Luan Gaines/ 2006.
Engrossing and Enlightening Book.......2005-10-19
I really enjoyed this book because it covers a wide range of topics from sailing to environmentalism to North American history to geology.
As a lifelong citizen of the Great Lakes in Rochester, NY and Chicago, IL, I was surprised at how much I didn't already know -- and that the book taught me.
Delightful.......2005-06-03
Purchased the book because I'm considering a retirement along Lake Ontario and am an avid sailor. The book is centered around the relocation of a Ferro cement schooner from Michigan through the lakes to Lake Ontario, onward down the Hudson and around New England. Along the journey, are many mini stories added for each lake taken from a combination of personal adventures, history and many interesting collection of facts coveraging a wide range of subjects from geology, their early exploration, later exploitation and related environmental problems. My only mild dissapointment is there was not more on Lake Ontario. The trip ends in along the coast of Maine where I was raised. It's a delightful book.
the best of the lakes!.......2004-06-17
I am (like many of those that have written reviews) a native Michigander. However, I am now living in upstate New York, which despite being part of the Great Lakes lacks the appreciation for the lakes that midwesterners have. This book is a must read for anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to grow up surrounded by the greatest natural wonder in the world. This book highlights not only the natural history of the lakes, but the social and environmental legacy of humankind in the lakes. For those who were lucky enough to spend time sailing, swimming, hiking, and otherwise enjoying the Great Lakes, this book will sweep you back in time to the lazy summers of youth (or retirement, as the case may be!) and remind you of why you love the Great Lakes.
Book Description
The story of the greatest British naval battle of the Age of Nelson.Renowned historian and novelist Dudley Pope explores the defining moment of the Age of Nelson. His compelling descriptions of the battle itself are backed by a wealth of historical detail, including a chronicle of the preceding year, revealing both the British and the French political motives, and explaining Nelson's strategy and Napoleon's response. Pope creates an intimate portrait of the life in the Royal Navy at its finest hour.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent history telling............2004-06-12
Without a doubt, one of the more entertaining and informative retelling of the Battle of Trafalger. The author put all his talents of a fictional writer and applied it nicely in this well searched and written account of the Trafalger campaign and battle. I am familiar with the author's work on Copenhegan which was also nicely done.
You can probably compared this book with David Howarth's work although Decision at Trafalger provides far more details and more insights into the entire campaign and battle then Howarth. The book read well and even a casual reader can get into the narrative. One of the better books on the subject, belong on a bookshelves of anyone who got an interest in naval warfare during the Napoleonic era.
Very Entertaining book, no dry history here!.......2004-02-28
Trafalgar was an amazing, dramatic event. The grandeur of the ships and the legendary characters involved are well described in this book, and you can tell that Dudley Pope was a man who was fascinated with the age of fighting sail. He was also a very good writer and he described it well.
Pope started out by describing the voyage of the HMS Pickle, the 4 gun schooner which carried news of Nelson's victory as well as his death back to England immediately after the battle. This small part of the great story of Trafalgar might be ignored or briefly mentioned by another author, but Pope related it as the dramatic story that it was. He described the heavy weather which battered the tiny, unescorted ship through hostile waters during her 1000 mile voyage home, causing her to leak badly. He described the overland voyage to London by the young Lieutenant Laponetiere, who arrived at the Admiralty, utterly exhausted, late at night to deliver his stunning news to an elderly, overworked clerk. And all this is just the first chapter.
Subsequent chapters describe the British, French and Spanish navies of the time, the strategies of Napoleon and Pitt, Nelson's life and the relationship he had with his Captains, the life of the common sailor, and even the conditions in Cadiz in 1805. Pope's writing is full of color and detail, and this book moves quickly.
Pope managed to describe the action of the battle very clearly with the use of diagrams of the battle as a whole and of individual matchups between opponents. He made the complex action understandable, and described the dramatic death of Nelson without getting bogged down in melodrama.
The aftermath of the battle, as well as it's importance to the Napoleonic wars and the future of the Royal Navy, are insightfully described towards the end of the book.
Make this your first Age of Sail read!!!.......2002-07-22
This book is simply perfect. Not only does it recount the true events surrounding the Battle of Trafalgar off the coast of Spain, it is an excellent introductory book to the genre. As a fan of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin tales and CS Forester's Hornblower, this new collection of nautical books is a must read.
Dudley Pope's narrative flows smoothly making this one of those books you can't put down until your finished. The nautical terms of the 1790's ~ 1800's are explained to satisfy both the novice and the well read. Whether this is your first Age of Sail book or just another in a long list, this is a must read that you will cherish.
Better that Patrick O-Brien: this is REAL!.......2000-08-27
This is the best written and best researched treatment of the Battle of Trafalgar and Nelson's death that I have ever read -- and I read a LOT of naval history! Most discussions of Trafalgar concentrate on Nelson's slow death on the orlop deck, while the really decisive actions of the battle rage out of view. In this book Pope gives readers a thorough and vivid discussion of exactly what happened between the whole engaging fleets, AFTER Nelson was hit and taken below. The victory was Nelson's, from his strategy and leadership, but many other men on both sides fought to reach that crucial military decision. Dudley Pope brings this to life. If you've ever wondered why Nelson's last order, knowing he was mortally wounded, was for his flag captain to anchor the British fleet, read on! I also highly recommend Pope's other works, including his fictional Lord Ramage series, which gets visibly better from book to book.
Decision at Trafalgar (Heart of Oak Series).......1999-12-19
As both a Patric O'Brien fan and a lover of history works, I very much appreciate the novelistic approach that Mr. Pope takes with the book, which adds much character to the writingas well as a flavor of the life and times. Some detail is sacrificed, but the book is easily readible and the account of the ship actions themselves with included diagrams helps make this complex engagement easy to comprehend.
Product Description
Conclusion to the enchanting Irish trilogy.
Amazon.com
Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860), the 10th Earl of Dundonald, was a man distinctly of his time, and in some ways far in advance of it. Descended from a noble Scottish family that had fallen on hard times, Cochrane had a naval career spanning the Napoleonic wars and beyond, to the struggles for independence of Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Greece. His exploits showed such tactical genius that they have become textbook examples in military training, and his derring-do inspired the lives and fiction of Frederick Marryat (who sailed with Cochrane as a young man), C.S. Forester, and Joseph Conrad.
But Cochrane's career was a checkered one, due mostly to his dislike of authority and tendency to nurse grudges. The man whose meticulous naval strategies were masterpieces of preparation was prone to ill-considered attacks on those in command, and his career as a British naval officer came to an effective end when he prosecuted a court martial against his commanding officer Lord Gambier after his near-disastrous timidity at the Battle in the Aix Roads. His political career as a radical politician was similarly jeopardized by impulsive attacks against the sitting government, and while he had a series of stunning military victories later in life as the admiral of several South American navies, each was followed by political wrangling and disappointment.
Christopher Lloyd's popular biography (first published in 1947) is as brisk and engaging as the novels that Cochrane inspired. It is a well-balanced portrayal of a man who, despite his heroism, invention (he proposed poison gas as a weapon a full hundred years before its usage), and idealistic commitment to liberal causes, was never given the opportunity to achieve his true genius. --John Longenbaugh
Book Description
The gripping life story of the Nelson's most fearless and renowned frigate captain.
Popularly known as "The Sea Wolf" for his daring, skill, and enterprise, Thomas Cochrane, Earl of Dundonald, was one of the finest frigate captains to fight in Nelson's navy. Christopher Lloyd's vivid biography paints a memorable portrait of the leader, inventor, and reformer whose courageous actions inspired the works of Frederick Marryat, C. S. Forester, and Patrick O'Brian.
Customer Reviews:
A true Adventure Story........2006-03-17
Lord Cochrane started his legendary naval career in the British navy as a fourteen-year-old midshipman. He possessed a natural talent for seamanship and rose to the rank of Captain. In war he was particularly successful displaying daring tactics and brazen courage. His career progressed in spite of his brashness that offended the higher ranks of
the British navy. He took on a life long crusade against the old boy cronyism that harmed that country's naval effectiveness. Lord Cochran carried the idea of reforming the Navy in middle age when he became a Member of Parliament. In later life Britain finally recognized this man of naval genius who at an advanced age was openly encouraging a steam-powered navy. A man that was vastly more at home with sea battler than as a Member of Parliament, Lord Cochran became a Captain for hire to the newly emerging nations Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Greece where he did quite well in all his battles almost always against the odds.
He had a storybook action packed life, a very rewarding book that has been brought back into print.
Naval Tactician, Parliamentarian, Freedom Fighter.......2006-02-14
Thomas Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald, was a larger than life Scottish nobleman, adventurer, and ardent libertarian. Christopher Lloyd wrote this biography of Lord Cochrane in 1947, and it is one of six "Heart of Oak Sea Classics." Lloyd depicts Cochrane as a masterful naval tactician whose uncompromising political idealism provides the hubris for classic tragedy. The stark irony of Cochrane's two careers is that his genius in battle derived from his innovation, reconnaissance, and preparation, whereas his consistent failures in politics derived from his headstrong impetuousness. Cockrane's naval victories during the Napoleonic Wars were remarkably heroic, and won him fame and fortune while he was still quite young. His abrasiveness, however, undid all the good, and much, much more. His depth of despair at the hands of his political adversaries is absolutely unimaginable. His arduous rehabilitation involved his enlistment in the revolutionary struggles of Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Greece. He returned to Britain hesitantly, unsure if he would be arrested and executed. The outcome warms the heart, and vindicates his life struggle. Lloyd's representation of Cochrane is remarkably objective, and nothing is more fascinating than genius and imbecility combined in the same person. It's history; it's a psychological thriller, and a biography you couldn't conceivably make up.
The real stuff.......2001-08-21
Lord Cochrane won an astonishingly brilliant series of victories in three different British ships against the French and Spanish during the Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. The first 80 pages of this biography cover his astounding career in single-ship actions, and the inability of the Admiralty to understand his innovations. The next 55 pages deal with his ignominious Radical parliamentary career and financial fiascos. Another 46 pages cover his attempts to free a series of colonies from their Iberian or Ottoman masters, and how the rebels repeatedly frustrated victory and, of course, didn't pay up. The final 21 pages cover his attempts to restore his honor and his contributions to the deveopment of a recognizably modern navy. The editors say this 1947 book was selected for its congenial style and vignettes of Cochrane, not because it is the last word on the irascible man. This biography is superseded in accuracy by those employing additional family and governmental papers made public since the 1960's and listed in the brief bibliography.
Fans of naval fiction should note that Forester's Hornblower frequently adopts Lord Cochrane's audacious naval exploits, as do many other series' heroes. Forester having appropriated Lord Cochrane's real adventures, Dudley Pope's Lord Ramage series seems to depend more on invented exploits to fill out the same general historical progression. O'Brian's Jack Aubrey also partakes of Cochrane's political ineptness and suffers his finanacial scandal (see especially the early Aubrey novels). While occasionally you see inspiration from Cochrane's later attempts to aid South Americans win their freedom from Spain (Forester, O'Brian, Cornwell), no novelist has taken up Cochrane's inventions (like ship lanterns, tar derivatives, chemical warfare!, and steam warships). This book might slightly disappoint some fiction fans because it lacks details or even a brief description of ALL of Cochrane's remarkable exploits in his Biscay or Mediterranean theaters of operation. But for any fans of Fighting Sail, Lord Cochrane is the inspiring source, and Lloyd's book a well-written introduction.
SUPERB NAVAL/POLITICAL HISTORY.......2000-08-25
A thoroughly researched and beautifully written treatment of the life of one of Great Britain's most important heroes from the Age of Fighting Sail. I've devoured everything I can find on the Royal Navy for years -- this is among the most memorable volumes available! Lord Cochrane was a naval commander in war (and peace) whose talents almost rivalled the great Nelson's, and unlike Nelson he lived to a ripe old age. In a surprisingly "modern" twist to Cochrane's biography, he was duped into a financial scandal that led to bad headlines, ugly partisan politics, and a nasty court case. His subsequent efforts on the part of Latin American nations to help them win independence from Spain make him a veritable nautical Simon Bolivar. Author Lloyd brings this amazing man to life with compelling prose.
Admiral of the Blue, by fermed.......2000-05-26
Lord Cochrane was, by all accounts, a superior naval officer. He was inventive, bold, imaginative, extremely meticulous in his preparations for action, and capable of great theatrics in the service of victory in battle, in capturing prizes, and in befuddling the enemy. He treated his men honorably at a time when abusing them was the norm and he rewarded them handsomely from the prize revenues he engendered. As a result he was adored by his subordinates and never had trouble recruiting personnel to serve under him.
He was a model which inspired aspects of Jack Aubrey and Hornblower and other fictional characters of the Anglo-French wars. His true life was even more tumultuous than the fiction it spawned, for he became a naval hero in Chile and in Peru, in Brazil, and in Greece as he participated in each of those countries' wars of independence.
When on land, Lord Cochrane was an inept, impetuous, cantankerous politician (he was a member of parliament for 10 years), who had no notion of the art of politics, and therefore was repeatedly demolished by his enemies, which were many. It is amazing that the brilliant and disciplined naval officer and tactician would become a bumbling, disorganized politician, but that is precisely what happened. He was involved in financial scandals, his honors and medals were removed, and his purse squandered and lost. It is likely that this honorable man was never guilty of the charges for which he was convicted (stock fraud), but the truth shall never be known for sure.
He lived a long life (1775 - 1860) and by the time he died at 85 he had managed to (mostly) repair his honor, his finances, and his reputation, more as a result of the political changes around him than as a result of having learned political lessons.
This book by Christopher Lloyd, a professional naval historian, has the scholar's convincing tone and language throughout. It has a fair index and bibliography. The book is highly recommended to the Aubrey-Maturin fans who are forever expanding their collections with ancillary historical volumes that allow for additional enjoyment of the series.
Average customer rating:
- If you're ever offered "long pig" for dinner....
- Things you should know
- Talking Heads
- The other side of 'The Heart of Darkness'
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The White Headhunter: The Story of a 19th-Century Sailor Who Survived a South Seas Heart of Darkness
Nigel Randell
Manufacturer: Carroll & Graf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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The Jungle is Neutral: A Soldier's Two-Year Escape from the Japanese Army
ASIN: 0786712562 |
Book Description
In 1876, sailor Jack Renton was rescued from the Pacific island home of the headhunting Malaitans, after spending eight years in their captivity. His best-selling memoir of how he went from the slave of their chief, Kabou, to his most trusted warrior and adviser remains the only authenticated account of a Westerner’s “heart of darkness” journey. But his sensational story turns out to have glossed over the key events of his transformation. Renton's story began with being shanghaied in San Francisco, escaping from the ship in an open whaleboat, and drifting for two thousand miles across the Pacific before washing up on Malaita. Through subsequent generations, the Malaitans’ oral history has passed down detailed stories presenting a different version. Documentary filmmaker Nigel Randell spent seven years talking to the Malaitans to piece together this different account. The White Headhunter tells the story of a man who not only adopted their customs but did his best to prepare a people he had grown to love for the onslaught of Western civilization. He lives on in the Malaitans’ memory, his hut and weapons preserved as a shrine still visited by the islanders today.
Customer Reviews:
If you're ever offered "long pig" for dinner...........2004-07-15
Non-fiction can be so much stranger than the made-up stuff. Remember the cartoons 30 years ago-? Popeye in the gigantic
black pot..natives in full nosebone dancing around with forks and knives?
Mr. Randell's book about Jack Renton, the Scottish sailor rescued by headhunters in the Solomon Islands is a great
read and an interesting start point if you wish to understand the "settling" of the Pacific Islands.
The book reads like fiction and is full of interesting tid bits not the least of which is the fact that boiled or grilled human was known as "long pig" by the headhunters. Yeech.
Things you should know.......2004-01-05
Only half the book is dedicated to Jack Renton's account. Understandably, there isn't much accurate history to glean from when you write on a little known castaway in late 1800s, and the author manages to fill the first 148 pages from Renton's own writing, the orations from natives, and the author's own observations from visiting the location. The rest of the book focuses on the ills and evils of the arrival of the white race - specifically economic exploitation, missionaries and their destruction of native tradition, and sicknesses that kill the majority of the islanders. All of this is fascinating stuff, but not expected by the title or description!
The order of the book is a little difficult also. The author lays out a preliminary timeline of Renton, then weaves through the timeline with different accounts and helpful anecdotes that occur elsewhere. A little challenging for me, who is used to reading history chronologically.
That said, I would buy and read this book again. There isn't another book on the market that is as complete a narrative on Jack Renton's extraordinary experience. But if there was, I would've rated this book 3 stars!
Talking Heads.......2003-09-10
OK...I admit it. The main reason I bought this book was that I was "hooked" by the gruesome aspects. After all, who can resist a classic tale of shipwreck, with the added frisson of headhunting and cannibalism? And while Mr. Randell (who, by the way, looks like a combination of Sting and Malcolm McDowell...and poses in the author photo with a skull, not his own, in hand) certainly delivers in the goosebumps department (describing in loving detail how humans, referred to as "long pig" by the cannibals, were wrapped in banana leaves and slow-roasted), he turns out to have bigger fish-to-fry. This is a very thoughtful book, which works on several levels. The "adventure tale" aspect is significant, but Mr. Randell also talks about the religious beliefs of the Solomon Islanders, the clash of cultures, the destruction of the islanders' way of life, etc. The author has spent much time in the Solomon Islands. It is obvious that he has studied, and respects, the native culture. The book can be enjoyed by those with an interest in anthropology, sociology, and psychology...in addition to those who are looking for a "ripping-yarn." While the focus of the book is Jack Renton- the "white headhunter" of the title, who was forced into a situation not of his own making, and did what he had to in order to survive- Mr. Randell also makes sure we see things from the islanders' point of view. Renton is allowed to live not out of any altruistic feeling- it turns out that, previously, another white man named Doorey had been marooned on the same island and his extensive knowledge of carpentry had made him indispensable. The islanders' were also hoping for big things from Renton, and he delivered- with his abilities as a military strategist and warrior. However, what starts out as realpolitik turns into affection, as the tribal chief Kabou develops fatherly feelings for the young Renton (who was still a teenager when he was washed ashore). The author also makes it clear why the islanders were so hostile towards white men: these were people who sometimes kidnapped islanders for use as cheap labor back in Queensland. (Even worse from the perspective of the islanders: the outsiders appeared to be people who constantly wandered the seas in their large and strange ships. What were they doing for food? The islanders assumed, naturally enough, that those who were being kidnapped were being eaten.) These were also men who brought death through disease- the islanders had no immunity to "western germs." And, of course, the white visitors had nothing but contempt for what they didn't understand- the "primitive" lifestyle and religious beliefs. The islanders didn't appreciate the attempts of the Christian missionaries to "improve" them by asking them to jettison everything they held dear. Mr. Randell is especially good at getting you "inside the heads" of the islanders. While I don't recommend the headhunting/cannibal lifestyle, at least I now understand the reasons these practices were engaged in. By possessing an enemy's head and consuming his flesh, you were able to "tap into" both his spiritual and physical powers. As an example of the latter, Mr. Randell points out that if an enemy warrior was fast on his feet, and you ate his legs, you were looking to improve your own running ability. It obviously makes no sense when seen by an outside observer but, as with any religious belief, there is internal logic. On all levels, (unless you are looking for recipes) Mr. Randell has written an excellent book.
The other side of 'The Heart of Darkness'.......2003-08-28
Absolutely awesome. This the 'Heart of Darkness' inside out. It is the story of a young shipwrecked sailor struggling to survive in a South Sea culture based on headhunting. It is told in the words of the Malaitan 'headhunters' themselves. It is a story filled with heroism, humanity and a good deal of humour.
Nigel Rendell is a very gifted author. He has the confidence to let the indigenous oral stories speak for themselves and also to breathe life into the dry 'western' accounts of the Malaita and the wider South Pacific written by missionaries and traders. These sources and others are skillfully blended to create a seamless narrative that carries the reader along as we follow Renton's journey into another culture and initiation into the rites of headhunting.
But this is not just a story of Renton struggling to understand his captors but a wonderful account of his captors trying to understand him. In their words this is the story of a young ignorant man who struggled to understand their society and in the end became not only one of their own but one of their favourite 'sons'.
But the story is also an account of the Malaitan's struggle to understand Renton's world. Rendell also manages to fix the microcosm of Renton's adventures against the macrocosm of colonialisation. This is perhaps one of the most magic and terrifying parts of the book as Renton tries to prepare his 'adopted' friends, family and tribe for the coming horrors of white civilisation. The entire tragedy of first contact and colonial rule is told in the relationship between Renton and his people. Rendell style of writing makes these characters, their friendships and rivalries come perfectly alive on the page. It is impossible not to care deeply about these people.
Remember not only is this the only authentic account of the 'Heart of Darkness' story but one told by the natives themselves and they do it with more humanity and dignity than any 'civilized' account I have read before. Nigel Rendell lets the reader feel they are sat by the campfire themselves as these stories are recounted and, with him to guide us, we are taken into a world of shanghai-ing, shipwrecks, castaways and headhunters. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Product Description
Exclusive 3-in-1 Edition
Customer Reviews:
Incredible works! More excellent Irish romances from Nora!.......2004-05-04
Wow, these books she write take you on a trip to Ireland. I love her writing, and how she takes the time to truly write in a Irish brogue. By the end of these books, she had me believing in Fairies. I loved this set, and would recommend it very highly!!
Average customer rating:
- Disappointing recipes
- Mediterranean Food is Delicious!
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Olive Oil Cookery: The Mediterranean Diet (Healthy World Cuisine)
Maher A. Abbas
Manufacturer: BOOK PUBLISHING COMPANY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Mediterranean Diet
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Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: A Delicious Alternative for Lifelong Health
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The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook: An Enticing Collection of 300 Healthy, Delicious Recipes from the Land of Sun and Sea (Everything: Cooking)
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The Mediterranean Heart Diet: How It Works and How to Reap the Health Benefits, with Recipes to Get You Started
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The Omega Diet: The Lifesaving Nutritional Program Based on the Diet of the Island of Crete
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Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
ASIN: 0913990116 |
Book Description
The Mediterranean diet, using olive oil as its main source of fat in the diet, can protect you from heart disease. Learn how with delicious recipes from a heart disease researcher and native of Lebanon.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing recipes.......2000-05-30
Olive oil has long been an indispensable ingredient in my cooking, and I cannot imagine being without it. As might be expected, I am extremely fond of Mediterranean food, which I find to be utterly delicious and satisfying. I am sorry to say, however, that I was quite disappointed with the choice of recipes in this book, which presents a very limited view of a great cuisine. Although the text is well written and easy to understand, the same cannot be said for the recipes, which lack clear and detailed directions. The dietary wisdom and practical advice offered by "Olive Oil Cookery" is good as far as it goes, but in my opinion two other books, "Low-Fat Lies" and "The Omega Diet," explain more fully the science validating the Mediterranean diet.
Mediterranean Food is Delicious!.......1999-02-13
"Olive Oil Cookery: The Mediterranean Diet" offers some of the most delicious Mediterranean recipes I have ever tasted. The recipes were easy to prepare. The diversity of Mediterranean cuisine has something to offer to all food lovers. And with olive oil as its main ingredient, it is one of the healthiest! I highly recommend this book.
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- Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction
- MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294): Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements, Second Edition
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