What do you think?
Rate this book
John Pearce #10
A Divided Command
Unbeknown to John Pearce, the private letter he is delivering on behalf of the prime minister carries the dismissal of the very man he is sailing to see. Politics intervene in matters of the sea and the need for a government majority to pursue the war with France means John Pearce must step down as Britain's best sailor, regretfully relinquishing the position to the incompetent Admiral Hotham. Hotham is equally less than pleased about John Pearce, as he is the one person who knows the truth about his dishonest and wicked naval career. Pearce knows Hotham will try and destroy him any way he can to keep from being exposed, so he must navigate the dangerous waters whilst trying to return to Emily Barclay, the woman he loves.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2013
45 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
David Donachie
66 books63 followersaka Tom Connery, Johnny 'Two Combs' Howard, Jack Ludlow, Jack Cole.
David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.
David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 16, 2015
At the end of the last book Pearce left Emily in the Tuscan port of Leghorn and sailed on to fleet command Mediterranean headquarters to deliver a letter from the Admiralty to Admiral Hotham. Unfortunately it was a letter of promotion for the Admiral. Pearce gets tangled in a political plot that puts him and his friends in danger. Pearce fights a duel against a British Army officer which makes Emily upset.
Emily sees no future with Pearce and leaves when he is conveying letters from Horatio Nelson to the British Ambassador. Pearce set off in pursuit and takes on a superior force of Barbary Corsairs who have targeted the merchant ship Emily is on. The book provides sea battles and lots of swashbuckling action and suspense.
Donachie has spent half the book rehashing the prior installments. The series has been dragged out about as far as it can. Let’s end the series. Donachie, it is time to start a new series. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Peter Wickham narrated the story.
Emily sees no future with Pearce and leaves when he is conveying letters from Horatio Nelson to the British Ambassador. Pearce set off in pursuit and takes on a superior force of Barbary Corsairs who have targeted the merchant ship Emily is on. The book provides sea battles and lots of swashbuckling action and suspense.
Donachie has spent half the book rehashing the prior installments. The series has been dragged out about as far as it can. Let’s end the series. Donachie, it is time to start a new series. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Peter Wickham narrated the story.
September 21, 2019
Yet another good book in this series.
If you want all naval action, like Hornblower, then "bear away". However, please "lay along side"
This series brings to life characters from many walks of life in the early Napoleonic era, and gives great insight from people before the mast, to politicians at the highest order.
The story is all told through a range of believable characters of the time, without resorting to inane stereotypes.
There is enough action to please those thirsting for that (like John Pearce), however you can add romance (also John Pearce), politics (a reluctant John Peace), and history (as seen by a contemporary)
What is not to enjoy?
If you want all naval action, like Hornblower, then "bear away". However, please "lay along side"
This series brings to life characters from many walks of life in the early Napoleonic era, and gives great insight from people before the mast, to politicians at the highest order.
The story is all told through a range of believable characters of the time, without resorting to inane stereotypes.
There is enough action to please those thirsting for that (like John Pearce), however you can add romance (also John Pearce), politics (a reluctant John Peace), and history (as seen by a contemporary)
What is not to enjoy?
August 25, 2017
man delivers letter. skirmish at sea. a poor sea faring novel. only the last 10 pages give an impression of being at sea and even then.
August 9, 2021
Highly recommend
November 5, 2019
good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews