What do you think?
Rate this book
At Drake's Command
It was as fine a day to be whipped as any he’d ever seen but the good weather didn’t make Peregrine James any happier with the situation he was in. Unfairly convicted of a crime he had not committed, the young cook was strung from the whipping post on the Plymouth quay side when he caught the eye of Francis Drake and managed to convince the charismatic sea captain to accept him among his crew.
Soon England was receding in their wake and Perry was serving an unsavory collection of sea dogs as the small fleet of fragile wood ships sailed across the brine. Their destination was secret, known to Drake alone. Few sailors believed the public avowal that the expedition was headed for Alexandria to trade in currants. Some men suspected Drake planned a raid across Panama to attack the Spanish in the Pacific. Others were sure the real plan was to round the Cape of Storms to break the Portuguese monopoly of the spice trade. The only thing Perry knew for certain was that they were bound for danger and that he must live by his wits if he were to survive serving at Drake’s command.
Soon England was receding in their wake and Perry was serving an unsavory collection of sea dogs as the small fleet of fragile wood ships sailed across the brine. Their destination was secret, known to Drake alone. Few sailors believed the public avowal that the expedition was headed for Alexandria to trade in currants. Some men suspected Drake planned a raid across Panama to attack the Spanish in the Pacific. Others were sure the real plan was to round the Cape of Storms to break the Portuguese monopoly of the spice trade. The only thing Perry knew for certain was that they were bound for danger and that he must live by his wits if he were to survive serving at Drake’s command.
424 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2012
12 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
David Wesley Hill
28 books25 followersDavid Wesley Hill is the author of around forty short stories and two novels, including the award winning pirate adventure "At Drake's Command." He lives in rural North Carolina.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 13, 2012
This is a beautiful, beautiful novel. I must admit I was a bit hesitant reading it since it's a “modern” book and I'm more accustomed with classics. I also am not really familiar with Drake except with his reputation as excellent captain and renown pirate. But, I read it all the same, because I am fond of sea adventures.
It's the story of Peregrine James, or called Perry James, a cook from Plymouth. After having been sentenced for stealing, he joins the Pelican, one of Drake's ship in his famous circumnavigation journey. There he becomes the least boy in the ship, but his character wins him the general's favour.
Before leaving England for the sea, he meets Dr. Dee, a master of decryption and palmistry among other things, who warns Perry of the dangers that he must face in his journey. Dr. Dee only gives vague explanation on this subject, namely “the ocean of sand, the sea of silver, and the mountain of fire.”
Aboard Drake's ship, many things are new to Perry. He must face a less capable senior, corrupt people, and stern masters. Seeing him facing all these difficulties while having a tour along the coast of Africa is quite an experience. I cannot wait to read more about him.
About the book itself. I am amazed to read so many details of sea journey. Even the historical preface of the book impresses me. The author has taken so much pain to be as accurate as possible historically, and I really appreciate that. The description of the life aboard is also fascinating. I like to imagine things as I read, and this book helps me a lot in doing so.
The author also strives to be balanced between the opinion of the crews regarding non-English races and also the fact about them. The description of the Moor being a good example of it. The patriotism common in that era is also portrayed satisfactorily.
If you are fond of sea adventure or pirates story, or if you are fond of history in general, not mentioning a fan of Drake himself, this is a book that deserves your attention.
I have also posted my review on my blog: http://half-filledattic.blogspot.com/...
It's the story of Peregrine James, or called Perry James, a cook from Plymouth. After having been sentenced for stealing, he joins the Pelican, one of Drake's ship in his famous circumnavigation journey. There he becomes the least boy in the ship, but his character wins him the general's favour.
Before leaving England for the sea, he meets Dr. Dee, a master of decryption and palmistry among other things, who warns Perry of the dangers that he must face in his journey. Dr. Dee only gives vague explanation on this subject, namely “the ocean of sand, the sea of silver, and the mountain of fire.”
Aboard Drake's ship, many things are new to Perry. He must face a less capable senior, corrupt people, and stern masters. Seeing him facing all these difficulties while having a tour along the coast of Africa is quite an experience. I cannot wait to read more about him.
About the book itself. I am amazed to read so many details of sea journey. Even the historical preface of the book impresses me. The author has taken so much pain to be as accurate as possible historically, and I really appreciate that. The description of the life aboard is also fascinating. I like to imagine things as I read, and this book helps me a lot in doing so.
The author also strives to be balanced between the opinion of the crews regarding non-English races and also the fact about them. The description of the Moor being a good example of it. The patriotism common in that era is also portrayed satisfactorily.
If you are fond of sea adventure or pirates story, or if you are fond of history in general, not mentioning a fan of Drake himself, this is a book that deserves your attention.
I have also posted my review on my blog: http://half-filledattic.blogspot.com/...
November 15, 2012
"At Drake's Command" is a fascinating Historical Fiction novel about the infamous sea captain Francis Drake. I had never read a fictional book about Drake so I was very interested to see Hill's take on Francis Drake. I think the captain and his life as well as his various expeditions are fascinating. Told from the perspective of Peregrine James, a young cook that begs to become part of Drake's command after being accused of a crime that he did not commit, this book is a fascinating look at the larger than life man that Drake was.
This book takes place during a fascinating time in history. So many different countries were fighting to get their foot in the door in the "new world." The country that had the most and best shipping routes would win. Some of the countries were absolutely ruthless when it came to trying to secure their place. In this book, we get to see many of the different people that Drake and his men encounter. Some of them, like the Moors in Africa, are quite different. It was really interesting to see the different interactions between the various groups. Obviously with so much competition going on during that time period, a lot of the encounters are wrought with extreme tension and scheming. You get a good taste of what it must have been like to be under someone like Drake.
I loved that this book was told from the perspective of Peregrine James (he was a fictional character in case you were wondering). By seeing the story through someone who had a lot of face to face time with Drake himself, you get a good sense of what the man must have been like. I also just liked James' character. He is young but he seems to be very self-assured most of the time.
There is a lot of good historical detail in this book. You can feel the sea breezes, taste James' meals, and feel the roughness of London at the time. This book has a very abrupt ending but there is promise of a sequel!
Bottom line: A good historical read about a fascinating man!
This book takes place during a fascinating time in history. So many different countries were fighting to get their foot in the door in the "new world." The country that had the most and best shipping routes would win. Some of the countries were absolutely ruthless when it came to trying to secure their place. In this book, we get to see many of the different people that Drake and his men encounter. Some of them, like the Moors in Africa, are quite different. It was really interesting to see the different interactions between the various groups. Obviously with so much competition going on during that time period, a lot of the encounters are wrought with extreme tension and scheming. You get a good taste of what it must have been like to be under someone like Drake.
I loved that this book was told from the perspective of Peregrine James (he was a fictional character in case you were wondering). By seeing the story through someone who had a lot of face to face time with Drake himself, you get a good sense of what the man must have been like. I also just liked James' character. He is young but he seems to be very self-assured most of the time.
There is a lot of good historical detail in this book. You can feel the sea breezes, taste James' meals, and feel the roughness of London at the time. This book has a very abrupt ending but there is promise of a sequel!
Bottom line: A good historical read about a fascinating man!
May 27, 2013
I have to say this is one of the best pieces of nautical historical fiction I have read. I wish I could have read this before the C.S. Forester, or Patrick O'Brien novels, not least because the book takes place some three hundred years prior to the Napoleonic Wars. The way in which the technology and terminology are explained to the reader is the best I have ever seen, it would have saved me quite a bit of research regarding the parts of sailing ships, and their function. The research for this book must have taken a long while.
I enjoyed the way in which so many historical personages were represented, it often felt like watching history happen. The action was good, though I felt that much of it lacked immediacy. Also, the main character seemed to follow the same path with every interpersonal relationship.
While I can't say this is as good as a Bernard Cornwell (such high praise is rarely given), I will say that this book is worthy to sit on the shelf alongside the great modern works of historical fiction. I look forward to the next book, and really any book the author cares to write.
I enjoyed the way in which so many historical personages were represented, it often felt like watching history happen. The action was good, though I felt that much of it lacked immediacy. Also, the main character seemed to follow the same path with every interpersonal relationship.
While I can't say this is as good as a Bernard Cornwell (such high praise is rarely given), I will say that this book is worthy to sit on the shelf alongside the great modern works of historical fiction. I look forward to the next book, and really any book the author cares to write.
January 30, 2013
I love historical fiction and really enjoyed this book. The main character is Peregrine James, a 20-year-old cook who gets into trouble over a girl, endures a whipping for a crime he didn’t commit, and ends up signing on to work for Francis Drake as an assistant to the ship’s cook. Perry knows nothing about exploration or sailing, but soon learns that on a ship, everyone’s expected to help with everything.
The writing is really detailed, especially the attention paid to geography and shipboard life. Hill’s goal in writing this book is to trace the actual route of Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe in 1577, and he’s thoroughly researched historical records, journals, and eyewitness accounts to bring this story to life. Plus he helpfully explains nautical terms as he writes about them – although if you know a ton about nautical history, you might find this distracting.
Because he’s compulsively honest, Perry runs into lots of conflicts aboard the ship. He’s at times a little too brash and too quick-witted to be believable, but it makes for a fun story. Hill deftly uses Perry’s knowledge of cookery to aid him in times of struggle – he’s more successful fighting enemies using ground chili pepper rather than a sword. Hill pays a lot of attention to weaponry, which my husband would appreciate. He also explores a lot of different cultures that the crew encounter on their voyage.
This book is the first of a series, and the end of this book will definitely leave you wanting to read the next one.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an objective review. The author had no input in the content of this review.
The writing is really detailed, especially the attention paid to geography and shipboard life. Hill’s goal in writing this book is to trace the actual route of Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe in 1577, and he’s thoroughly researched historical records, journals, and eyewitness accounts to bring this story to life. Plus he helpfully explains nautical terms as he writes about them – although if you know a ton about nautical history, you might find this distracting.
Because he’s compulsively honest, Perry runs into lots of conflicts aboard the ship. He’s at times a little too brash and too quick-witted to be believable, but it makes for a fun story. Hill deftly uses Perry’s knowledge of cookery to aid him in times of struggle – he’s more successful fighting enemies using ground chili pepper rather than a sword. Hill pays a lot of attention to weaponry, which my husband would appreciate. He also explores a lot of different cultures that the crew encounter on their voyage.
This book is the first of a series, and the end of this book will definitely leave you wanting to read the next one.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an objective review. The author had no input in the content of this review.
April 2, 2013
One of my favorite historical characters was Sir Francis Drake. David Wesley Hill, in his book At Drake’s Command, has captured the spirit of adventure to sail under Drake’s command at sea. This is an excellent historical fiction with plenty of action and adventure.
The storyline is based loosely on the actual records of Drake’s voyages and this adds to the realism of the story. The story is well defined and easy to follow. The various twist and turns in story make the adventure more exciting. I found it very easy to put myself in the story as an unseen extra.
Our hero in the story is fictitious but it makes it easier to identify with him. David Wesley Hill did an excellent job of character development with each character. They each seemed real and it was easy to follow and identify with them. Their emotions and moral character came through.
I really enjoyed At Drake’s Command by David Wesley Hill. I highly recommend this book to all readers.
[Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
The storyline is based loosely on the actual records of Drake’s voyages and this adds to the realism of the story. The story is well defined and easy to follow. The various twist and turns in story make the adventure more exciting. I found it very easy to put myself in the story as an unseen extra.
Our hero in the story is fictitious but it makes it easier to identify with him. David Wesley Hill did an excellent job of character development with each character. They each seemed real and it was easy to follow and identify with them. Their emotions and moral character came through.
I really enjoyed At Drake’s Command by David Wesley Hill. I highly recommend this book to all readers.
[Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
June 25, 2016
So as a fan of historical fiction i was searching for a juicy story that would pull me into the world of one of history most famous commanders, Sir Francis Drake. I wanted something modern and not bound by details of names and dates or too long winded on old writings..
This book is perfect for anyone who likes adventure story's that bring you into the old world in a fun, funny, ride along way. Characters are written very well and you get to know the crew in a familiar way. The places and details about the shipping are great. The day to day life and banter of the characters is interesting and puts you there.
Reads well, gets the imagination firing and suitable for teenagers and above.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction or just a good old story about a boy embarking on an adventure into a exotic mad world :)
This book is perfect for anyone who likes adventure story's that bring you into the old world in a fun, funny, ride along way. Characters are written very well and you get to know the crew in a familiar way. The places and details about the shipping are great. The day to day life and banter of the characters is interesting and puts you there.
Reads well, gets the imagination firing and suitable for teenagers and above.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction or just a good old story about a boy embarking on an adventure into a exotic mad world :)
October 10, 2012
I had the chance to review this book before it came out, and I really enjoyed it. You can read my full review here: http://militarydadblog.com/post/33167...
August 29, 2012
Being the author of At Drake's Command, I am, of course, biased as to its qualities. However, I believe I can safely assure you that it's an entertaining story and a book well worth reading.
November 22, 2012
Can hardly wait to get the book, I read the excerpt, and as usual it stops at an exciting moment!
Just finished reading the book!!!! Very suspenseful ending. I can hardly wait for the next book
Just finished reading the book!!!! Very suspenseful ending. I can hardly wait for the next book
August 7, 2013
Book Review of At Drake's Command by David Wesley Hill
From:http://www.atdrakescommand.com/
"About the Book
It was as fine a day to be whipped as any he'd ever seen but the good weather didn't make Peregrine James any happier with the situation he was in. Unfairly convicted of a crime he had not committed, the young cook was strung from the whipping post on the Plymouth quayside when he caught the eye of the charismatic sea captain Francis Drake, who agreed to accept Perry among his crew despite the stripes of a thief on his back.
Soon England was receding in their wake and Perry was serving an unsavory collection of sea dogs as the small fleet of fragile wood ships sailed across the deep brine. Their destination was secret, known to Drake alone. Few sailors believed the public avowal that the expedition was headed for Alexandria to trade in currants. Some men suspected Drake planned a raid across Panama to attack the Spanish in the Pacific. Others were sure the real plan was to round the Cape of Storms to break the Portuguese monopoly of the spice trade. The only thing Perry knew for certain was that they were bound for danger and that he must live by his wits if he were to survive serving at Drake's command.
About the Author
David Wesley Hill is an award-winning fiction writer with more than thirty stories published in the U.S. and internationally. In 1997 he was presented with the Golden Bridge award at the International Conference on Science Fiction in Beijing, and in 1999 he placed second in the Writers of the Future contest. In 2007, 2009, and 2011 Mr. Hill was awarded residencies at the Blue Mountain Center, a writers and artists retreat in the Adirondacks. He studied under Joseph Heller and Jack Cady and received a Masters in creative writing from the City University of New York, as well as the De Jur Award, the school's highest literary honor."
Leona's Review:
I was send a complimentary e-book copy of At Drake's Command by the author, David Wesley Hill. I had it on the back burner and had forgotten about the book and so began reading the book only to find I had read some it. The only benefit in waiting to read such a good book is that I do not have to wait as long for the next book, Desperate Bankrupts. The opinions are my own.
The book begins with the main character, Peregrine James (Perry), receiving a whipping for a crime he did not commit in Plymouth, England. Perry asks to join Francis Drake as an assistant cook on the Pelican because he heard rumors that Drake is heading for Alexandria. Perry, who is a fictional character, narrates the book.
David Hill knows his seafaring terms and I was glad I had this book on my Kindle because there is the dictionary which was a great help to me. He is also knowledgeable on the geography of the areas. Since I have visited some of these places, I liked the history of the times. At Drake's Command begins November 15, 1577 and the book ends February 4, 1578.
A good read for readers interested in nautical history and an interest in the early sailing days. America, England, Spain, Portugal, Africa, Strait of Gibraltar, Cape Verde, and coast of Barbary are just some destinations in the book.
A couple of songs or shanties are in the book.
"This allowed me to join in confidently as pressed our shoulders to the handspikes and sang the famous chorus".
"Hooray-ray, way-hey,
Heave-ho and up she rises,
Heave-ho and up she rises,
Early in the morning!"
The author knows the culinary terms also and what different cultures eat. "Then I released Selim and with a rude shove set him to kneading dough for the flat bread Moors favored". Another one: "The meal that evening consisted of ham and peas and the aforementioned barley, along with bread and butter, cheese, and cider. This was the menu I served the sailors and petty officers."
I was surprised to read about the hatred the English had for the Spanish and Portuguese and their religion and the same to the English. " Lutheran pirates, he spat in passable English. "God send you to hell and show you no mercy while you suffer".". ""The Papist may see fit to profit on human misery but we should not follow their example," warned Fletcher, mopping his pate carefully with a handkerchief so as not to disturb the arrangement of the few hairs he had left".
The Queen of England was also defended in the book. "I was, of course, personally ignorant of the queen's private character but I could not remain silent while she was slandered. "no, sir, that's a lie. I answered. "A dammed lie, mate!" John Frye put in with equal heat."
The author uses other languages in the book but does translate the words. Perry's mother was a "Spanish lady" so he knew some Portuguese. Perry was born in Plymouth, England.
There is also some sexual language in words that I had to find in my built in dictionary and because I was unfamiliar with the words, it made the reading more comfortable for me.
I will give this a 5 star even though I did not really care for the abrupt end of the book.
David Wesley Hill is on goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
An interview: http://www.temurlonepress.com/intervi...
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
August 7, 2013
At Drake’s Command: The Adventures of Peregrine James During the Second Circumnavigation of the World, written by David Wesley Hill, was an enjoyable and extremely satisfying read. Although Amazon indicates a print length of 426 pages for the book, it went much quicker than I expected. I read an average of 50 pages an hour when I’m focused, and this novel took me somewhere between 4-5 hours to read. Overall, it left me wanting more, but it didn’t leave me with a feeling that the story was incomplete. Although it ends on a cliffhanger, it found a good stopping point. If the sequel were available, I think I would have bought it as soon as I finished this one.
The story begins when Peregrine James is accepted on Francis Drake’s crew after proving he’s got what it takes during a public whipping. Young Perry has been falsely accused of being a thief, but his culinary abilities and the manner in which he endures his punishment impresses Drake’s partner, Thomas Doughty, after Perry requests to join their crew. Doughty offers him employment as a cook’s assistant, and the adventure begins.
The character of Perry James is an earnest, loyal, and scrupulously honest young man. It is those very characteristics which get him into several dangerous situations as the story progresses. One of the joys of the book is that Perry, who is, after all, just a cook, uses his knowledge of cookery to get out of those dangerous situations and to serve his own measure of justice. Throughout, he approaches his hardships and dangers with an even temper, gratitude toward his captain, and a quiet sense of humor.
Author Hill takes on a difficult task in giving a fictional character an active role in historically well-documented events. He does so with great skill, and the ways in which Peregrine James, the lowest member of Drake’s crew, fits into those events feels authentic and his presence doesn’t change the facts as set out by history.
I am always more than happy when Historical Fiction places as much emphasis on the Historical as it does on the Fiction . In addition to staying within the restrictions of history, Perry James’ story is told in first person with language accurate to the time period which manages to move along at a brisk pace nonetheless. Finally, you’ll pick up a lot of nautical terminology and knowledge over the course of the book – all of which is effortlessly conveyed as the novice seaman learns these things himself.
My only mild criticisms of the book are that Perry’s attitude toward women, other races, and members of non-Christian religions is probably too modern for a man of his class background and time period. I know that for him to be a likeable protagonist to a modern reader, he has to be a cut above his fellow crew members in this respect, but sometimes I felt he was just a little too egalitarian in his thinking. Additionally, while there was always a very well done justification for how the crew’s lowest ranking member managed to end up in the thick of the action in a trusted capacity, there were a couple of times when I thought it was a bit of a stretch for him to be involved in the way that he was.
Overall, At Drake’s Command is a really entertaining read. It’s jam-packed with adventure, clings close to historical reality, has a likeable and interesting protagonist, and comes from the pen of a master storyteller. I give it 4.5 stars and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy Historical Fiction or just a darn good story.
This review was originally written for IndieHeart.com. We received a copy of the book for free in exchange for an honest review. Check us our for more reviews of Indie/Self-published authors, or check out our daily selection of five free, hand-picked Kindle eBooks. We work hard to find free, high-quality Kindle books daily to help you discover new authors you'll enjoy. Get them on the site, through RSS, or sign up for our newsletter to have them delivered to your inbox!
The story begins when Peregrine James is accepted on Francis Drake’s crew after proving he’s got what it takes during a public whipping. Young Perry has been falsely accused of being a thief, but his culinary abilities and the manner in which he endures his punishment impresses Drake’s partner, Thomas Doughty, after Perry requests to join their crew. Doughty offers him employment as a cook’s assistant, and the adventure begins.
The character of Perry James is an earnest, loyal, and scrupulously honest young man. It is those very characteristics which get him into several dangerous situations as the story progresses. One of the joys of the book is that Perry, who is, after all, just a cook, uses his knowledge of cookery to get out of those dangerous situations and to serve his own measure of justice. Throughout, he approaches his hardships and dangers with an even temper, gratitude toward his captain, and a quiet sense of humor.
Author Hill takes on a difficult task in giving a fictional character an active role in historically well-documented events. He does so with great skill, and the ways in which Peregrine James, the lowest member of Drake’s crew, fits into those events feels authentic and his presence doesn’t change the facts as set out by history.
I am always more than happy when Historical Fiction places as much emphasis on the Historical as it does on the Fiction . In addition to staying within the restrictions of history, Perry James’ story is told in first person with language accurate to the time period which manages to move along at a brisk pace nonetheless. Finally, you’ll pick up a lot of nautical terminology and knowledge over the course of the book – all of which is effortlessly conveyed as the novice seaman learns these things himself.
My only mild criticisms of the book are that Perry’s attitude toward women, other races, and members of non-Christian religions is probably too modern for a man of his class background and time period. I know that for him to be a likeable protagonist to a modern reader, he has to be a cut above his fellow crew members in this respect, but sometimes I felt he was just a little too egalitarian in his thinking. Additionally, while there was always a very well done justification for how the crew’s lowest ranking member managed to end up in the thick of the action in a trusted capacity, there were a couple of times when I thought it was a bit of a stretch for him to be involved in the way that he was.
Overall, At Drake’s Command is a really entertaining read. It’s jam-packed with adventure, clings close to historical reality, has a likeable and interesting protagonist, and comes from the pen of a master storyteller. I give it 4.5 stars and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy Historical Fiction or just a darn good story.
This review was originally written for IndieHeart.com. We received a copy of the book for free in exchange for an honest review. Check us our for more reviews of Indie/Self-published authors, or check out our daily selection of five free, hand-picked Kindle eBooks. We work hard to find free, high-quality Kindle books daily to help you discover new authors you'll enjoy. Get them on the site, through RSS, or sign up for our newsletter to have them delivered to your inbox!
February 5, 2013
At Drake’s Command, by David Wesley Hill, is a godsend to readers just embarking on maritime historical fiction or those boggled by Patrick O’Brien’s rich nautical vocabulary.
By making the narrator of his novel the young son of an innkeeper, innocent of all matters regarding the sea and learning at a leisurely pace, the reader is brought comfortably into the world of Elizabethan seamanship without the constant need of a diagram or a specialized dictionary. And there is quite sufficient action and period detail in this book to satisfy any reader who is not already a scholar of seafaring.
Mr. Hill is a writer of science fiction, for which he has won many awards. The particular virtue of the science fiction writer is his ability to create, down to the minutest detail, a world that exists only in his own imagination and has no external referents. This ability is brought to the subject of Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the world. For young readers especially such attention to detail will be welcome. Readers knowledgeable in the period and in seafaring may become impatient with this painstaking approach. But there is good stuff here.
While following the records of Drake’s voyage, Hill is not at all averse to having his fictional young hero venture off on entertainingly imaginative yet thoroughly plausible adventures on his own.
And, once the author achieves comfort in this genre, he shows himself a writer of considerable skill and grace. If I have a complaint it’s the occasional lapse into anachronisms.
Finding a suitable language for characters in the past is one of the most delicate concerns of the historical novelist. In this Hill does reasonably well, keeping the speech easy for the modern reader yet with a sense of suitable distance. But when the central character utters the words, “I also relied on the tenderness of strangers,” he sounds startlingly like Blanche DuBois.
There are similar arresting instances. While such literary allusions might be amusing in science fiction, in historical novels, when they are far out of period they call attention to themselves in a way that yanks the reader out of the period the author should always be at pains to sustain.
Hill shows considerable interest in cookery, making the young hero’s background in an inn all the more plausible. But in describing some delectable Portuguese dishes the influence seems more 21 century haute cuisine than the healthful “four humours” that guided 16th century European cooks. While this may seem quibbling, readers of historical novels these days can be sticklers for period authenticity.
Apart from these minor issues, the tone of At Drake’s Command is highly refreshing. While Hill indulges in some colorful and heretical cussing for his mariners, his moral compass never fails, placing this work beside Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island for readability and clean adventure.
This volume does hardly more than begin the great voyage Drake achieved, so there will be further travels with Peregrine James, the youthful innkeeper’s son turned seafarer. Though it has taken perhaps an eighth of the book for the author to find his “sea legs” as a writer of maritime historical fiction, once he gains his stride he bowls along smartly and we can expect much delightful reading as the series sails onward.
By making the narrator of his novel the young son of an innkeeper, innocent of all matters regarding the sea and learning at a leisurely pace, the reader is brought comfortably into the world of Elizabethan seamanship without the constant need of a diagram or a specialized dictionary. And there is quite sufficient action and period detail in this book to satisfy any reader who is not already a scholar of seafaring.
Mr. Hill is a writer of science fiction, for which he has won many awards. The particular virtue of the science fiction writer is his ability to create, down to the minutest detail, a world that exists only in his own imagination and has no external referents. This ability is brought to the subject of Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the world. For young readers especially such attention to detail will be welcome. Readers knowledgeable in the period and in seafaring may become impatient with this painstaking approach. But there is good stuff here.
While following the records of Drake’s voyage, Hill is not at all averse to having his fictional young hero venture off on entertainingly imaginative yet thoroughly plausible adventures on his own.
And, once the author achieves comfort in this genre, he shows himself a writer of considerable skill and grace. If I have a complaint it’s the occasional lapse into anachronisms.
Finding a suitable language for characters in the past is one of the most delicate concerns of the historical novelist. In this Hill does reasonably well, keeping the speech easy for the modern reader yet with a sense of suitable distance. But when the central character utters the words, “I also relied on the tenderness of strangers,” he sounds startlingly like Blanche DuBois.
There are similar arresting instances. While such literary allusions might be amusing in science fiction, in historical novels, when they are far out of period they call attention to themselves in a way that yanks the reader out of the period the author should always be at pains to sustain.
Hill shows considerable interest in cookery, making the young hero’s background in an inn all the more plausible. But in describing some delectable Portuguese dishes the influence seems more 21 century haute cuisine than the healthful “four humours” that guided 16th century European cooks. While this may seem quibbling, readers of historical novels these days can be sticklers for period authenticity.
Apart from these minor issues, the tone of At Drake’s Command is highly refreshing. While Hill indulges in some colorful and heretical cussing for his mariners, his moral compass never fails, placing this work beside Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island for readability and clean adventure.
This volume does hardly more than begin the great voyage Drake achieved, so there will be further travels with Peregrine James, the youthful innkeeper’s son turned seafarer. Though it has taken perhaps an eighth of the book for the author to find his “sea legs” as a writer of maritime historical fiction, once he gains his stride he bowls along smartly and we can expect much delightful reading as the series sails onward.
June 18, 2013
For those of you who love historical fiction this just might be the book for you. David Wesley Hill has created a character that is very believable. Young Perry James is found at the beginning of the book tied to a whipping post, preparing to be whipped for a crime of which he was innocent. He convinces Sir Francis Drake to take him onboard as a cooks helper. From this point on the adventures for young Perry grow. As the adventures grow we see him mature and grow. The use of metaphors helps paint a picture that uses all of the senses to bring the reader along for the ride. I believe this was most important as the book would be difficult to understand if you did not have a vast nautical vocabulary. The writing was so artfully done that I, a landlubber, was able to picture this vast ship. I could feel the breezes blowing through my hair and feel myself being tossed as the ship’s sails billowed pulling the ship forward. The adventure of the travel keeps you on the edge of the seat waiting to see what would happen next. For this reason I was please to realize there is a second book coming. All I can say at this point is let the adventure continue.
June 9, 2013
The Adventures of Peregrine James during the Second Circumnavigation of the World. Peregrine James, fleeing Plymouth, makes an interesting character who tells the story of joins Francis Drake's fleet as a cook's helper. The early parts of the book are overly full of sailing description and low on plot. However, the book is interesting in its depiction of the era, the animosity between Britain and Spain/Portugal--the papists, the challenges of sailing during that period. For my taste there is too much description that had me skipping paragraphs as I hurried to finish the book.
April 25, 2013
Enjoyable read of life at sea!
Because he is a young man and new to sailing and the sea, I loved following the main character, Perry, on his various adventures and learning about a sailor's life and survival during the 1500's.
There's a batch of colorful characters as most sea tales include which make for interesting encounters. How Perry handles himself and lessons he learns in dealings were quite amusing at times.
Because he is a young man and new to sailing and the sea, I loved following the main character, Perry, on his various adventures and learning about a sailor's life and survival during the 1500's.
There's a batch of colorful characters as most sea tales include which make for interesting encounters. How Perry handles himself and lessons he learns in dealings were quite amusing at times.
August 28, 2013
I expected this book to be a bit dry, but it was actually quite engaging. The story was compelling and I enjoyed the historical references. My only disappointment was getting to the end and discovering that the next book is not out yet!
September 22, 2013
If you love a sailing yarn and high adventure, you will enjoy this book. I look forward to the sequel entitled Desperate Bankrupt. While it was advertised as Vol. 1, I was disappointed to be left dangling and waiting for Vol. 2. Let's hope that Hill writes it.
September 4, 2012
I have added my review at historicnavalfiction.com
July 27, 2013
I loved this book and am looking forward to the next installment of the story.
October 30, 2013
David Wesley Hill’s novel is the first in a planned series, which follows Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the world through the eyes of the young cook and crew-member Peregrine James. We first meet Perry in Plymouth in November 1577, where he is being publicly whipped for a theft he didn’t commit. Determined to make a better life for himself, he talks his way onto the crew of the Pelican, which under the command of Francis Drake is said to be heading off on a trading voyage to Alexandria. Thrust into the small and intense community aboard ship, Perry assists the Pelican’s uninspired cook Lancelot Garget and tries to carve out a place for himself in this small and tightly-knit community of men. As the Pelican and her companion ships head south, he finds himself learning not only how to feed this raucous company of sailors but also how to be one of them: clambering the rigging, winding the capstan, training with cannons and cutlasses, and handling his shipmates' delicate egos. It also becomes clear that their destination is not to be Alexandria, but some other place, far beyond the coast of Africa and the Portuguese islands of the Atlantic; perhaps even beyond the bounds of any map Perry has ever seen.
I haven't read much maritime historical fiction and most of my knowledge about such matters comes from watching the BBC's Hornblower series as a teenager. Hill evidently knows his stuff back to front and one of this book's strengths is the almost tangible evocation of shipboard life: he conjures up the ropes under your hands, the snap of the wind in the sails and the sea-shanties that help the men keep time (I'm pleased that What shall we do with the drunken sailor? got an airing). You come to understand the challenge of provisioning a ship with supplies that won't go off during the voyage, and how to cook a hot meal for sixty-seven men using a fire-box on the top deck in the open air. Hill has previously worked as a chef which gives his descriptions of cookery an added spark of realism: some passages, especially the cook-off between Perry and the Portuguese cook João Longo Prata, made my mouth water. In his foreword he explains how he's used the surviving documents which record the daily progress of the voyage, and his careful plotting of the route on Google Earth so that he can see exactly what his characters would have encountered on their journey. In short, everything about this novel shows how much care and attention has gone into it, and I'm sure Hill knows so much about Elizabethan seafaring that he could answer any question you might have, no matter how obscure.
The difficulty with having done a lot of research is that it can sometimes be hard to decide what to include and what to leave out. To borrow a culinary turn of phrase, I felt that the book was occasionally over-seasoned: sometimes the research didn't so much support the plot as dominate it. This was especially the case in the first few chapters, where I felt that the pace would have benefitted from slightly more ruthless editing. The decision to use deliberately old-fashioned language and grammar does give the story a kind of antique integrity, but on the other hand it can make the dialogue a little staid. Again this was most marked at the beginning: Beth Winston (whom I liked very much) must be the most articulate prostitute in English literature! Things got into their stride once the Pelican was on the open sea and we were able to focus on the relationships between the officers and crew, and between Perry and his shipmates. I have particularly vivid mental images of Garget - a gaunt, weaselly little man - and Pascoe Goddy - a good-natured bear of a fellow with very few teeth, and perhaps the odd glint of a golden molar. Drake himself, bluff and gold-bearded, comes across very well: with enough of the common touch to make his men ready to die for him, but enough force of character to make himself feared as well as loved. There were some subtle but very welcome moments of humour, too, such as Perry's efforts to translate for John Winter the unedifying opinions of a captured Portuguese sailor ("He appears to be expressing a desire to engage in conjugal relations with your mother"). And what must we make of the name of that Portuguese cook, João Longo Prata, which translated into English becomes the most famous pirate of them all: a private joke, perhaps?
Earlier on I mentioned Hornblower, and At Drake's Command has much in common with that series: notably an earnest and naive hero, determined to live by his principles. In Perry's case that means sticking to the advice given to him by Hal Audley on his departure from Plymouth ("If you would do it, do it well!"), in the face of peril, the Portuguese and the enmity of Lancelot Garget. Perry faces his challenges, from sabotaged cooking ingredients to kidnap by an Arab sheikh, with equal pluckiness and integrity and, like Hornblower, manages to emerge from every adventure with his qualities and good character intact. As I don't want to veer too far into spoilers, I will only say that this made the events of the final pages feel slightly implausible: I didn't believe that so good a judge of character as Drake would dismiss the ample evidence of his own eyes in this way; and the punishment seemed much too severe for a vaguely supposed crime. Nevertheless, I understand the importance of finishing with a cliffhanger and, while the end of the previous chapter provided a perfect fade-to-black moment, I enjoyed the piquant final twist of drama. And so we must wait to find out exactly how Perry plans to deal with his latest challenge (I imagine, sadly, that it won't be the same method adopted by Captain Jack Sparrow when in a similar predicament).
As I've said, the language makes this a more challenging read than most, but once you take that in your stride this is an absorbingly faithful reconstruction of what it must have been like to serve on one of the great Elizabethan voyages. If you're an established fan of maritime historical fiction then I've no doubt there's much here for you to enjoy; and, for those of us who only dabble in the genre now and then, there's an endearing and resourceful hero, and moments when you suddenly understand how thrilling it must have been, to sail in a time when the land over the horizon genuinely was terra incognita.
I am grateful to the author for providing a review copy of this book.
To see this review in its original context and to see more of my reviews, please visit my blog:
http://theidlewoman.blogspot.co.uk/
I haven't read much maritime historical fiction and most of my knowledge about such matters comes from watching the BBC's Hornblower series as a teenager. Hill evidently knows his stuff back to front and one of this book's strengths is the almost tangible evocation of shipboard life: he conjures up the ropes under your hands, the snap of the wind in the sails and the sea-shanties that help the men keep time (I'm pleased that What shall we do with the drunken sailor? got an airing). You come to understand the challenge of provisioning a ship with supplies that won't go off during the voyage, and how to cook a hot meal for sixty-seven men using a fire-box on the top deck in the open air. Hill has previously worked as a chef which gives his descriptions of cookery an added spark of realism: some passages, especially the cook-off between Perry and the Portuguese cook João Longo Prata, made my mouth water. In his foreword he explains how he's used the surviving documents which record the daily progress of the voyage, and his careful plotting of the route on Google Earth so that he can see exactly what his characters would have encountered on their journey. In short, everything about this novel shows how much care and attention has gone into it, and I'm sure Hill knows so much about Elizabethan seafaring that he could answer any question you might have, no matter how obscure.
The difficulty with having done a lot of research is that it can sometimes be hard to decide what to include and what to leave out. To borrow a culinary turn of phrase, I felt that the book was occasionally over-seasoned: sometimes the research didn't so much support the plot as dominate it. This was especially the case in the first few chapters, where I felt that the pace would have benefitted from slightly more ruthless editing. The decision to use deliberately old-fashioned language and grammar does give the story a kind of antique integrity, but on the other hand it can make the dialogue a little staid. Again this was most marked at the beginning: Beth Winston (whom I liked very much) must be the most articulate prostitute in English literature! Things got into their stride once the Pelican was on the open sea and we were able to focus on the relationships between the officers and crew, and between Perry and his shipmates. I have particularly vivid mental images of Garget - a gaunt, weaselly little man - and Pascoe Goddy - a good-natured bear of a fellow with very few teeth, and perhaps the odd glint of a golden molar. Drake himself, bluff and gold-bearded, comes across very well: with enough of the common touch to make his men ready to die for him, but enough force of character to make himself feared as well as loved. There were some subtle but very welcome moments of humour, too, such as Perry's efforts to translate for John Winter the unedifying opinions of a captured Portuguese sailor ("He appears to be expressing a desire to engage in conjugal relations with your mother"). And what must we make of the name of that Portuguese cook, João Longo Prata, which translated into English becomes the most famous pirate of them all: a private joke, perhaps?
Earlier on I mentioned Hornblower, and At Drake's Command has much in common with that series: notably an earnest and naive hero, determined to live by his principles. In Perry's case that means sticking to the advice given to him by Hal Audley on his departure from Plymouth ("If you would do it, do it well!"), in the face of peril, the Portuguese and the enmity of Lancelot Garget. Perry faces his challenges, from sabotaged cooking ingredients to kidnap by an Arab sheikh, with equal pluckiness and integrity and, like Hornblower, manages to emerge from every adventure with his qualities and good character intact. As I don't want to veer too far into spoilers, I will only say that this made the events of the final pages feel slightly implausible: I didn't believe that so good a judge of character as Drake would dismiss the ample evidence of his own eyes in this way; and the punishment seemed much too severe for a vaguely supposed crime. Nevertheless, I understand the importance of finishing with a cliffhanger and, while the end of the previous chapter provided a perfect fade-to-black moment, I enjoyed the piquant final twist of drama. And so we must wait to find out exactly how Perry plans to deal with his latest challenge (I imagine, sadly, that it won't be the same method adopted by Captain Jack Sparrow when in a similar predicament).
As I've said, the language makes this a more challenging read than most, but once you take that in your stride this is an absorbingly faithful reconstruction of what it must have been like to serve on one of the great Elizabethan voyages. If you're an established fan of maritime historical fiction then I've no doubt there's much here for you to enjoy; and, for those of us who only dabble in the genre now and then, there's an endearing and resourceful hero, and moments when you suddenly understand how thrilling it must have been, to sail in a time when the land over the horizon genuinely was terra incognita.
I am grateful to the author for providing a review copy of this book.
To see this review in its original context and to see more of my reviews, please visit my blog:
http://theidlewoman.blogspot.co.uk/
October 9, 2013
I did not particularly care for David Wesley Hill’s historical novel “At Drake’s Command.” I liked certain aspects of the book, but the farther I got into the book the more annoyed I became with what I considered to be its major flaw – believability.
The story is told by Peregrine James, a fictitious character. He is the twenty-year-old son of deceased parents, owners, and operators of a popular Plymouth tavern. Peregrine learned to cook from his mother and was employed as such by the tavern’s new owner. Learning that Peregrine (Perry) was in love with his daughter, the owner accused Perry of stealing a broach that had belonged to her and that she had given him. Victimized by false testimony, Perry was convicted of thievery. The novel opens with Perry receiving his court-ordered punishment, 24 lashes at the city’s public whipping post. Perry draws the attention of Francis Drake, about to be rowed to his ship, the Pelican, ready to embark on a mysterious mission. Drake has need of a specialty cook to entertain foreign dignitaries. Told later that Perry has demonstrated courage in receiving his punishment, Drake accepts him as a crew member. The story ends two and a half months later when Drake is about to leave the coast of Africa for the east coast of South America. Several dangerous events have happened of which Perry is an integral part.
The author does well enough the first 80 pages. I was willing to suspend belief about Drake’s acceptance of Perry’s request to join the expedition for the sake of reading what was to come and what I could learn about the factual aspects of Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe. I found Perry to be an engaging character. Convicted of a crime he had not committed, polite to his elders, honest, moral, intelligent beyond what might be expected of his station, courageous in his decision-making, he is the consummate hero.
Here is one example. Acting on his own as the ship cook’s assistant, locating the oldest barrels of meat in the Pelican’s hold to utilize first, Perry discovers that all four that he opens are spoiled. They have been stored deliberately where they would normally be opened last. Suspecting corruption, and premeditated sabotage of Drake’s mission, Perry believes he needs to alert his commander before they leave Plymouth. He knows that doing so would put at least one important ship’s officer under immediate suspicion. A young friend warns him: “God favors those with the most position and wealth.” Perry devises a way to overcome this handicap. He serves the rancid meat to the ship’s officers. Forced to explain his action, he tells them about the barrels, which they immediately investigate.
I liked the author’s characterization of Drake and his second-in-command, Thomas Doughty. Drake is entirely believable as a man of common origin who is calculating, adroit in managing any person regardless of station, decisive, and paranoid. Doughty is a gentleman callous or empathetic depending on what best serves his or Drake’s purpose. Lashing Perry to see how he receives real punishment -- Perry’s court-ordered lashing had been administered lightly -- Doughty stops after his sixth stroke. Asked by Perry why he had stopped, Doughty replies: “It was not my concern to punish you, Mr. James, but to test your courage. Having done so, I may now carry a good report to Drake. … I am a practical man, not a kind one.” Entirely unpredictable throughout the novel, Doughty intrigued me.
I was entertained also by Perry’s use of herbs and spices and food preparation to overcome encountered difficulties not related to meal preparation.
I appreciated additionally information the author provided about parts of the ship, facts I particularly wanted to know, details integrated into the story. Here is an example.
"The shrouds were rigging, six lines to a side, that provided the mast additional stability by pulling it between them. They attached to the mast just below the fighting top and fanned out downward to opposite gunwales, where they were connected to the hull by pulleys, which allowed them to be tightened or loosened."
After the first 80 pages, Perry’s extraordinary actions defy belief. A cook’s assistant, he is called upon too often to perform special duties. His behavior is too idealistic. What Doughty tells him late in the novel does not add plausibility: “Honesty is a dangerous principle when pursued without restraint. … An idealist is a person who follows his beliefs without concern for consequences.” I counted five times during the novel that Perry should have been killed. Why must a well-researched account of a significant, unique event in English history devolve into a fanciful tale of daring-do better suited as a mini-series for adventure-seeking television viewers desirous solely of vicarious entertainment? When I read a historical novel, I want to learn accurate information about the people and the time and I want also to identify with credible characters experiencing credible conflicts that illustrate insightful themes. “At Drake’s Command” half succeeds.
The story is told by Peregrine James, a fictitious character. He is the twenty-year-old son of deceased parents, owners, and operators of a popular Plymouth tavern. Peregrine learned to cook from his mother and was employed as such by the tavern’s new owner. Learning that Peregrine (Perry) was in love with his daughter, the owner accused Perry of stealing a broach that had belonged to her and that she had given him. Victimized by false testimony, Perry was convicted of thievery. The novel opens with Perry receiving his court-ordered punishment, 24 lashes at the city’s public whipping post. Perry draws the attention of Francis Drake, about to be rowed to his ship, the Pelican, ready to embark on a mysterious mission. Drake has need of a specialty cook to entertain foreign dignitaries. Told later that Perry has demonstrated courage in receiving his punishment, Drake accepts him as a crew member. The story ends two and a half months later when Drake is about to leave the coast of Africa for the east coast of South America. Several dangerous events have happened of which Perry is an integral part.
The author does well enough the first 80 pages. I was willing to suspend belief about Drake’s acceptance of Perry’s request to join the expedition for the sake of reading what was to come and what I could learn about the factual aspects of Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe. I found Perry to be an engaging character. Convicted of a crime he had not committed, polite to his elders, honest, moral, intelligent beyond what might be expected of his station, courageous in his decision-making, he is the consummate hero.
Here is one example. Acting on his own as the ship cook’s assistant, locating the oldest barrels of meat in the Pelican’s hold to utilize first, Perry discovers that all four that he opens are spoiled. They have been stored deliberately where they would normally be opened last. Suspecting corruption, and premeditated sabotage of Drake’s mission, Perry believes he needs to alert his commander before they leave Plymouth. He knows that doing so would put at least one important ship’s officer under immediate suspicion. A young friend warns him: “God favors those with the most position and wealth.” Perry devises a way to overcome this handicap. He serves the rancid meat to the ship’s officers. Forced to explain his action, he tells them about the barrels, which they immediately investigate.
I liked the author’s characterization of Drake and his second-in-command, Thomas Doughty. Drake is entirely believable as a man of common origin who is calculating, adroit in managing any person regardless of station, decisive, and paranoid. Doughty is a gentleman callous or empathetic depending on what best serves his or Drake’s purpose. Lashing Perry to see how he receives real punishment -- Perry’s court-ordered lashing had been administered lightly -- Doughty stops after his sixth stroke. Asked by Perry why he had stopped, Doughty replies: “It was not my concern to punish you, Mr. James, but to test your courage. Having done so, I may now carry a good report to Drake. … I am a practical man, not a kind one.” Entirely unpredictable throughout the novel, Doughty intrigued me.
I was entertained also by Perry’s use of herbs and spices and food preparation to overcome encountered difficulties not related to meal preparation.
I appreciated additionally information the author provided about parts of the ship, facts I particularly wanted to know, details integrated into the story. Here is an example.
"The shrouds were rigging, six lines to a side, that provided the mast additional stability by pulling it between them. They attached to the mast just below the fighting top and fanned out downward to opposite gunwales, where they were connected to the hull by pulleys, which allowed them to be tightened or loosened."
After the first 80 pages, Perry’s extraordinary actions defy belief. A cook’s assistant, he is called upon too often to perform special duties. His behavior is too idealistic. What Doughty tells him late in the novel does not add plausibility: “Honesty is a dangerous principle when pursued without restraint. … An idealist is a person who follows his beliefs without concern for consequences.” I counted five times during the novel that Perry should have been killed. Why must a well-researched account of a significant, unique event in English history devolve into a fanciful tale of daring-do better suited as a mini-series for adventure-seeking television viewers desirous solely of vicarious entertainment? When I read a historical novel, I want to learn accurate information about the people and the time and I want also to identify with credible characters experiencing credible conflicts that illustrate insightful themes. “At Drake’s Command” half succeeds.
November 16, 2012
When I read the synopsis for At Drake's Command it immediately appealed to me for one major reason: this is the sort of book my dad used to read to me when I was little; a rousing naval adventure, preferably set in the past, with scurvy sea dogs, ship wrecks, pirates and the exotic vista's of lands as yet undiscovered. I've often professed my love for De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe (Bontekoe's Ship's Boys) by Johan Fabricius, which is set in the time of the Dutch East India Company, but he also read me books by K. Norel, which were set not just in the Dutch Golden Age, but in the Second World War as well. And he read me books by Johan H. Been, who wrote two adventures about Michiel de Ruyter's ship's boy. So how on earth could I say no to reviewing At Drake's Command?
The book turned out to be a wholly different beast than those named above. First of all, it is definitely an adult book and secondly, has a far more period feel about it. The latter is mostly due to the writing style. The book is written as a memoir by its protagonist Peregrine James, much in the style of Robinson Crusoe, though far less moralising than Defoe's seminal work. But it also utilises the same literary conventions of the early novels, such as giving spoilers in the chapter titles, describing things in what we would consider unnecessary details nowadays, calling characters by their full name continuously, and the same way of tacking on elucidations to statements, terms, or names, for example: “And you are familiar with cooking as it is done on the continent, which is to say, in the manner of the Italians and French?” (p. 17) It was so well done, that at one point I was really annoyed with the writing, until I realised this was exactly what I had struggled with in my eighteenth century Lit class, when I just couldn't get through Laurence Sterne or Henry Fielding. Over a decade later I'm more tolerant and better-versed in the early English Novel to not mind as much and I can appreciate the skill it takes to emulate it well. In fact, change the title to The Peregrinations of Mr. Peregrine James, followed by a suitably rambling sub-title and it would fit right in with its eighteenth-century brethren.
Peregrine, our protagonist and narrator is a likeable enough fellow and I liked his outsider's view of shipboard life. At the same time, the reader can see him growing fond of his shipmates and his new occupation and displaying agility and cleverness in dealing with whatever is thrown at him. At the same time, at some points his story pushes the boundaries of the believable, but then again Perry has become a sailor and as he acknowledges himself, nobody likes or tells a tall tale as a sailor does. Perry is surrounded by a crew of characters ranging from the honourable, Parson Fletcher, to the morally dubious, Francis Drake, and everything in between. However, most of the crew remains rather flat and no more than a name, only those that Perry has lots of dealings with or those he thinks it's important to tell us about in detail become more than a passing name on a page. The amount of 'names on a page' could at times lead to a bit of confusion as a name would ring a bell and I had to check back who they were again.
At Drake's Command left me with somewhat mixed feelings; as at university, I struggled with this style of writing, however, the plot was entertaining and filled with adventure and the book was without a doubt well researched. It is not an easy text, for the reasons described above and due to the numerous different languages found on its pages, which weren't always translated completely into English. I admire Hill's skill in emulating the early English novel – down to the cliff hanger ending of this first volume in the series – and once I had settled into the style, I found the narrative quite enjoyable, but this style probably won't work for everyone. If you enjoy historical naval fiction or the early English novel, however, At Drake's Command is well worth a read.
This book was provided for review by the author.
The book turned out to be a wholly different beast than those named above. First of all, it is definitely an adult book and secondly, has a far more period feel about it. The latter is mostly due to the writing style. The book is written as a memoir by its protagonist Peregrine James, much in the style of Robinson Crusoe, though far less moralising than Defoe's seminal work. But it also utilises the same literary conventions of the early novels, such as giving spoilers in the chapter titles, describing things in what we would consider unnecessary details nowadays, calling characters by their full name continuously, and the same way of tacking on elucidations to statements, terms, or names, for example: “And you are familiar with cooking as it is done on the continent, which is to say, in the manner of the Italians and French?” (p. 17) It was so well done, that at one point I was really annoyed with the writing, until I realised this was exactly what I had struggled with in my eighteenth century Lit class, when I just couldn't get through Laurence Sterne or Henry Fielding. Over a decade later I'm more tolerant and better-versed in the early English Novel to not mind as much and I can appreciate the skill it takes to emulate it well. In fact, change the title to The Peregrinations of Mr. Peregrine James, followed by a suitably rambling sub-title and it would fit right in with its eighteenth-century brethren.
Peregrine, our protagonist and narrator is a likeable enough fellow and I liked his outsider's view of shipboard life. At the same time, the reader can see him growing fond of his shipmates and his new occupation and displaying agility and cleverness in dealing with whatever is thrown at him. At the same time, at some points his story pushes the boundaries of the believable, but then again Perry has become a sailor and as he acknowledges himself, nobody likes or tells a tall tale as a sailor does. Perry is surrounded by a crew of characters ranging from the honourable, Parson Fletcher, to the morally dubious, Francis Drake, and everything in between. However, most of the crew remains rather flat and no more than a name, only those that Perry has lots of dealings with or those he thinks it's important to tell us about in detail become more than a passing name on a page. The amount of 'names on a page' could at times lead to a bit of confusion as a name would ring a bell and I had to check back who they were again.
At Drake's Command left me with somewhat mixed feelings; as at university, I struggled with this style of writing, however, the plot was entertaining and filled with adventure and the book was without a doubt well researched. It is not an easy text, for the reasons described above and due to the numerous different languages found on its pages, which weren't always translated completely into English. I admire Hill's skill in emulating the early English novel – down to the cliff hanger ending of this first volume in the series – and once I had settled into the style, I found the narrative quite enjoyable, but this style probably won't work for everyone. If you enjoy historical naval fiction or the early English novel, however, At Drake's Command is well worth a read.
This book was provided for review by the author.
September 21, 2014
This nautical adventure is the first chronicle of Peregrine James's adventures as a part of Sir Francis Drake's crew. The book reads like one of the early Horatio Hornblower novels, with an earnest and resourceful young man proving his worth to his superiors, but rather than a promising young midshipman, James acts as the ship's cook. This provides an interesting perspective on the events to follow.
This book is well-grounded in history, taking place on a historical expedition full of real, named historical characters. This feeling of authenticity extends to every corner of the book. The details of seagoing life and the dialogue all feel realistic and colorful. I particularly appreciated how the author didn't shy away from the bawdier aspects of the sailor's language and lifestyle like many nautical fiction authors; this earthiness added a level of realism that is often lacking in more "PG-rated" ocean adventures.
My only complaint about this book is that I wish there was more of it. I wasn't aware going into the book that it was to be part of a series, I expected a stand-alone novel and because of my misperception the pacing felt a bit off throughout the book. Nearly a quarter of the book is done before the ship actually ventures out to sea, and rather than circumnavigating the globe, the events described here hover around Africa's Barbary Coast, a fact that made me a bit nervous as the end of the book approached. Not only does the book only cover a portion of the journey, it also ends on a right bastard of a cliffhanger. While I was pleased to see that more adventures are to follow, and pacing is less of a concern if the reader is aware going in that more books are forthcoming, I still can't shake the feeling that--instead of a complete book with a beginning, middle, and end--this book is simply a bloodily truncated section of a larger work. That's one aspect that compares unfavorably with something like the Hornlower series, which managed to deliver satisfyingly self-contained stories within the framework of a larger saga.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I'm very eager to see what comes next.
This book is well-grounded in history, taking place on a historical expedition full of real, named historical characters. This feeling of authenticity extends to every corner of the book. The details of seagoing life and the dialogue all feel realistic and colorful. I particularly appreciated how the author didn't shy away from the bawdier aspects of the sailor's language and lifestyle like many nautical fiction authors; this earthiness added a level of realism that is often lacking in more "PG-rated" ocean adventures.
My only complaint about this book is that I wish there was more of it. I wasn't aware going into the book that it was to be part of a series, I expected a stand-alone novel and because of my misperception the pacing felt a bit off throughout the book. Nearly a quarter of the book is done before the ship actually ventures out to sea, and rather than circumnavigating the globe, the events described here hover around Africa's Barbary Coast, a fact that made me a bit nervous as the end of the book approached. Not only does the book only cover a portion of the journey, it also ends on a right bastard of a cliffhanger. While I was pleased to see that more adventures are to follow, and pacing is less of a concern if the reader is aware going in that more books are forthcoming, I still can't shake the feeling that--instead of a complete book with a beginning, middle, and end--this book is simply a bloodily truncated section of a larger work. That's one aspect that compares unfavorably with something like the Hornlower series, which managed to deliver satisfyingly self-contained stories within the framework of a larger saga.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I'm very eager to see what comes next.
September 20, 2013
Disappointing Voyage.
This book was offered to me by the author for free download in exchange for a fair review. The book promised to be a good one based on my interest in historical non-fiction so I accepted the offer. But my enthusiasm was short lived. I began to get impatient with the narrative early on but stuck with it so I could do the review. The narrator of the story is Peregrine (Perry) James who finds himself employed as a cook on a voyage of exploration under the command of Francis Drake. The story follows his adventures and his transformation from landlubber to able bodied seaman. His observations of Drake, his crew and the voyage are at times rather interesting but at other times boring (probably what a real voyage of that nature would be like). As far as I could tell Hill's background research was meticulous and his knowledge of early ships an societies was extensive. All in all, this book has all the elements that make up a compelling story but, for me, it somehow fell short. I have not read many books of historical-fiction but of the few I did read, this one is no worse but, on the other had, no better either. In fairness to Hill and the book, part of the problem may lie with me and my preference to non-fiction over fiction. Also the book itself may be meant for a different age group than myself (50+), I got the impression that the target reader group would be mid to late teens. Anyway, that's my feelings on the book, take it for what you will. My recommendation: if this kind of book strikes your fancy then give it a shot. Who knows, you may totally disagree me and find it an enjoyable read.
Last Ranger
January 6, 2013
This is the rousing tale of the high seas adventure of young Peregrine James, newly assigned to Sir Francis Drake's crew during his second circumnavigation of the world. Based on actual facts, David Hill has given us a glimpse into life as it was led when to rule the seas meant ruling the world. Peregrine's youth and sense of discovery gives us a fresh perspective and adds excitement to the fast paced plot that is filled with intrigue. While I love lots of details, this is not a Patrick O'Brien clone. I always thought of POB as a kind of Jane Austen with cannons-lots and lots of manners and posturing. Things I enjoy but don't want to be limited to. Peregrine is an interesting character that introduces us to people and situations that capture your imagination. I very much enjoyed the book and hope that it is but the first in a series.
August 17, 2013
An amiable, light HF. More suitable for a YA audience. Perry James needs to get out of town fast so signs on with the legendary Francis Drake. Too bad it takes nearly 1/3 of the book before Drake actually leaves English waters, but anyway... As an assistant cook onboard Perry must prove his worth, learn the naval way of life, and survive several minor adventures (including abduction, hanging, and a cook-off) before the cliff-hanger ending that author David Wesley Hill hopes will compel you to read the next book in the series. While the time frame of the story is the late 1500's, I never felt that any of these characters thought, acted or talked like someone from the Elizabethan era. YA readers probably won't notice this.
August 19, 2014
This book is supposedly a historical fiction story as seen through the eyes of a fictional character. Perhaps a unique approach but it does work. The story is well written with compelling characters.
However, the story is not really about Drake. It is an adventure story about his neophyte landlubber cook. The escapades of the cook stretch reality a bit but hover on the plausible.
There is no ending per se. Obviously this is part one of the Peregrine James series. Overall it is a decent and above average read. I particularly enjoyed the speech patterns and jargon of the period, If you like the pirate genre and do not need to read about historical figures as the principal character, you should enjoy this book.
However, the story is not really about Drake. It is an adventure story about his neophyte landlubber cook. The escapades of the cook stretch reality a bit but hover on the plausible.
There is no ending per se. Obviously this is part one of the Peregrine James series. Overall it is a decent and above average read. I particularly enjoyed the speech patterns and jargon of the period, If you like the pirate genre and do not need to read about historical figures as the principal character, you should enjoy this book.
August 8, 2013
This both looked and sounded like a good book. It in fact gave every intention of being so. Even the opening line was so well written I read on with expectation...only to find too many curse words, characters of questionable morality (especially that of a woman). But the "straw that broke the camel's back" was a conversation with a terrible sexual comment. I read no further. All of the above was only contained in the first chapter - not even that, for I didn't even get through the first chapter - let alone what I might find in the remainder of the book. :P
Please friends, I'm sorry to say I do not recommend you read this.
Please friends, I'm sorry to say I do not recommend you read this.
January 9, 2013
While I'm biased because this was written by my brother, I'm his audience -- I read historical novels pretty regularly. And frankly, good ones are few and far between. This is an excellent one. It is about a ship's boy aboard Drake's ship and his experiences and mishaps and adventures on the voyage. It was meticulously researched, and because my brother was a chef, the food descriptions are particularly 'juicy'. The first novel in a three-part series. Highly recommend it!
June 25, 2013
I loved this book. I found the historical detail very credible and the imagined adventures of our hero kept me turning the pages. The story was well written and well presented and deserved four or five stars. So why three? Because it's not finished. It ends on a cliff hanger.
This is an increasing trend and it drives me nuts. If you sell me a book, I expect a beginning, a middle and an end. Not the first third or so, with a clear promise of more to come.
This is an increasing trend and it drives me nuts. If you sell me a book, I expect a beginning, a middle and an end. Not the first third or so, with a clear promise of more to come.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews