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A Poor Man at the Gates #1
The Privateersman
Escaping the hangman’s noose in England, commoner Tom Andrews finds himself aboard a privateering ship before fleeing to New York at the time of the Revolutionary War. It is a corrupt place where opportunities abound for the unscrupulous. Betrayal forces a hurried return to England where he and business partner Joseph Star, a half Carib freed slave, ruthlessly chase riches in the early industrial boom, investing in iron, mines and cotton. But will Tom’s phenomenal luck desert him as he seeks social standing and lasting affection?
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 12, 2014
An interesting and well written tale, with a different perspective on a period well-covered in novels concerned with the navy (Hornblower et al or the army (Sharpe). Very little has been written from the point of view of businessmen, entrepreneurs, or 'new money'. (Charlotte Brontë's Shirley is set later, during the post war depression)
The hero, a Dorset lad, fleeing a run-in with the Excise and dragoons, is crimped and finds himself on a down-at-heel privateer. Being bright, strong, and intelligent he does well among the crew. Being also not over-bothered with morality he, with a mulatto friend and companion, manage to acquire the owner's share following the captain's death. With this he finds that New York merchants practise a different kind of privateering, at which he becomes adept.
Leaving for England, he establishes himself as a mill-owner, iron-founder, and coal miner, taking advantage of and seeing opportunities in new inventions and machines which others are not as quick to adopt.
This book is set in the last decades of the 18thC, when the cotton trade was being revolutionised, mills were supplanting cottage spinners and weavers, iron foundries being built, coal mining changing from family drift mines to shafts with steam winding. A well-funded 'privateer', not hide-bound by social status or past ways of doing things, could indeed, with hard work, a keen weather-eye, a crew loyal through mutual respect and fair-dealing, find he can take prizes and make rich profits. Thus the fisherman's son makes his fortune.
There is some very good writing: the descriptions of the Dorset countryside, and hiding by crawling under the furze, so vividly brought to mind my youth and places I have known that I could picture Tom in actual locations. As also the Northamptonshire countryside. So I feel I can trust the author's descriptions of places which are not known to me.
The author studied and has taught economic history, which informs his work. His description of the crash and bank run should be widely read by economists and City traders - "Those who do not know their history ..." - a shame it wasn't available to the partners of Lehman Bros, and the directors of Northern Rock.
Minor cavils: The author states that he has 'written ... in a style reflecting English usage in novels of the Georgian period'. There are a number of infelicities and language usage is largely modern. Too much use of 'will' as a future tense instead of (the more correct) usage of the time, 'shall'. And the parson would not, and should not even today, have been addressed as 'Reverend Nobbs', nor referred to as 'reverend'. He would have been introduced, or referred to in speech, as 'The Reverend Mr Nobbs', addressed as 'Mr Nobbs', or possibly 'Parson Nobbs', and referred to in the text as 'parson' - eg "The ladies were to be introduced by thereverend parson/vicar"
The hero, a Dorset lad, fleeing a run-in with the Excise and dragoons, is crimped and finds himself on a down-at-heel privateer. Being bright, strong, and intelligent he does well among the crew. Being also not over-bothered with morality he, with a mulatto friend and companion, manage to acquire the owner's share following the captain's death. With this he finds that New York merchants practise a different kind of privateering, at which he becomes adept.
Leaving for England, he establishes himself as a mill-owner, iron-founder, and coal miner, taking advantage of and seeing opportunities in new inventions and machines which others are not as quick to adopt.
This book is set in the last decades of the 18thC, when the cotton trade was being revolutionised, mills were supplanting cottage spinners and weavers, iron foundries being built, coal mining changing from family drift mines to shafts with steam winding. A well-funded 'privateer', not hide-bound by social status or past ways of doing things, could indeed, with hard work, a keen weather-eye, a crew loyal through mutual respect and fair-dealing, find he can take prizes and make rich profits. Thus the fisherman's son makes his fortune.
There is some very good writing: the descriptions of the Dorset countryside, and hiding by crawling under the furze, so vividly brought to mind my youth and places I have known that I could picture Tom in actual locations. As also the Northamptonshire countryside. So I feel I can trust the author's descriptions of places which are not known to me.
The author studied and has taught economic history, which informs his work. His description of the crash and bank run should be widely read by economists and City traders - "Those who do not know their history ..." - a shame it wasn't available to the partners of Lehman Bros, and the directors of Northern Rock.
Minor cavils: The author states that he has 'written ... in a style reflecting English usage in novels of the Georgian period'. There are a number of infelicities and language usage is largely modern. Too much use of 'will' as a future tense instead of (the more correct) usage of the time, 'shall'. And the parson would not, and should not even today, have been addressed as 'Reverend Nobbs', nor referred to as 'reverend'. He would have been introduced, or referred to in speech, as 'The Reverend Mr Nobbs', addressed as 'Mr Nobbs', or possibly 'Parson Nobbs', and referred to in the text as 'parson' - eg "The ladies were to be introduced by the
June 21, 2015
Book #1, in the Poor Man at the Gates series
In few words: This is a rag to richest story of commoner Tom Andrews who after fleeing New York on a privateering ship with Joseph Star his partner, a half Carib freed slave, has heavily invested in iron, mines , and cotton and has taken all advantage of the early industrial boom thus making himself and Joseph very fortunate.
The plot is mainly of Tom’s life and slowly introduces a young man who found his way out of criminality to become a well-paid privateer. As he aged, his experience on the high seas made him a ruthless entrepreneur and eventually a respectable English factory owner. Inevitably, his fortune opened the door to the upper crust and all the attention that came with it whether wanted or not.
Written in the style of the era this novel is a bit intimidating at first but the story is so captivating that once into the beat I eventually overcame the challenge. The author’s touch into the period lifestyle of the 18th century is vivid and to the point. The description of England’s aristocracy combined with how businesses were run during the industrial revolution play a huge part. Capitalizing on cheap labor and the bad luck of others, Tom Andrews with Joseph Star became two of the richest men in the country and did so without imposing fear or punishment on their workers but rather giving them incentives. Definitely the characterization reflects the time period.
The story telling is well-done although I found the development to be a bit slow and seemed to drag at times. Having said this, I give this book thumps up for its details and historical background and the interesting manner in which it was delivered.
In few words: This is a rag to richest story of commoner Tom Andrews who after fleeing New York on a privateering ship with Joseph Star his partner, a half Carib freed slave, has heavily invested in iron, mines , and cotton and has taken all advantage of the early industrial boom thus making himself and Joseph very fortunate.
The plot is mainly of Tom’s life and slowly introduces a young man who found his way out of criminality to become a well-paid privateer. As he aged, his experience on the high seas made him a ruthless entrepreneur and eventually a respectable English factory owner. Inevitably, his fortune opened the door to the upper crust and all the attention that came with it whether wanted or not.
Written in the style of the era this novel is a bit intimidating at first but the story is so captivating that once into the beat I eventually overcame the challenge. The author’s touch into the period lifestyle of the 18th century is vivid and to the point. The description of England’s aristocracy combined with how businesses were run during the industrial revolution play a huge part. Capitalizing on cheap labor and the bad luck of others, Tom Andrews with Joseph Star became two of the richest men in the country and did so without imposing fear or punishment on their workers but rather giving them incentives. Definitely the characterization reflects the time period.
The story telling is well-done although I found the development to be a bit slow and seemed to drag at times. Having said this, I give this book thumps up for its details and historical background and the interesting manner in which it was delivered.
December 26, 2017
If the reader was very knowledgeable of marine terms, then they could follow the first quarter of the book when Tom Andrews was a privateer in the Carib whilst pirating other ships. I am not, so this was very hard to understand the dialogue. Also, the book was written in old English and, again, hard to understand all the colloquiums. The story was about Tom’s privateering days, then life in Scotland as a rich man running a coal mine, steel factory and cotton mill. The latter portion had him purchasing a large mansion and land and becoming a part of the local society. The book does not stand on its own and was written to pick up in Book #2 leaving the reader hanging. Don’t like this manipulative style of writing and don’t care enough to read any more sequels. 232 pages. 3 Stars (12.10 to 12.25.17)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2023
Spoilers ahead.
Right at the beginning of the book the author warns that he's written this book in period style where sentences are overly long. And he's right, the sentences are very long and I just couldn't get over it. It was hard to read and I didn't want to. When I read a book, I want it to be effortless, I want the writing to pull me along, maybe like holding my hand, or drifting down a lazy river. To have to force myself to read something is not something I want to do. I dnf'd this rather quickly. Not a dig at the story or quality of the book, just the writing style.
Right at the beginning of the book the author warns that he's written this book in period style where sentences are overly long. And he's right, the sentences are very long and I just couldn't get over it. It was hard to read and I didn't want to. When I read a book, I want it to be effortless, I want the writing to pull me along, maybe like holding my hand, or drifting down a lazy river. To have to force myself to read something is not something I want to do. I dnf'd this rather quickly. Not a dig at the story or quality of the book, just the writing style.
January 30, 2018
Fascinating
I was completely enthralled by this book and the author's explanation of a young man's rags to riches early life. I appreciate the author's delineations of business transactions throughout and his ultimate decision to become a country gentleman.
There is not a great amount of description of characters, but what there is is very thorough.
I would recommend to readers of historical fiction.
I was completely enthralled by this book and the author's explanation of a young man's rags to riches early life. I appreciate the author's delineations of business transactions throughout and his ultimate decision to become a country gentleman.
There is not a great amount of description of characters, but what there is is very thorough.
I would recommend to readers of historical fiction.
November 18, 2020
Strong characters and fun to read
Readers will enjoy the down to earth characters who are portrayed with realistic human emotions. There were a few times I wanted more explanation of unfamiliar processes of the era but not so much that it detracted from the story. Overall, an engaging story.
Readers will enjoy the down to earth characters who are portrayed with realistic human emotions. There were a few times I wanted more explanation of unfamiliar processes of the era but not so much that it detracted from the story. Overall, an engaging story.
January 3, 2024
Four stars because of many errors
I almost b stopped breading this because of the many errors.
I am fortunate that I did not, vastly entertaining, a wholesome plot, long wonder on the details at times, but I am eager for book two.
Please read, you will no t be disappointed.
Word to author: Use an editing app or take your editor to hand.
I almost b stopped breading this because of the many errors.
I am fortunate that I did not, vastly entertaining, a wholesome plot, long wonder on the details at times, but I am eager for book two.
Please read, you will no t be disappointed.
Word to author: Use an editing app or take your editor to hand.
June 23, 2017
English Background
Thoroughly interesting. A plethora of archaic terms of British origin kept me referencing dictionaries. Yet, the tale of young Tom's journey to fortune is well written.
Thoroughly interesting. A plethora of archaic terms of British origin kept me referencing dictionaries. Yet, the tale of young Tom's journey to fortune is well written.
February 27, 2018
The characters are flat. Too much time spent on small details and not enough on large ones. This could have been a really good book, but it wasn’t. Will not be reading anything more from this author. Sorry.
October 9, 2018
Well written
A fast moving book, telling the tales of a poor man who succeeded. So much history is tucked into the tales, brought to life by interesting escapades of the characters.
A fast moving book, telling the tales of a poor man who succeeded. So much history is tucked into the tales, brought to life by interesting escapades of the characters.
July 17, 2022
.
.
MY OPINION:
I found this EXCEPTIONALLY hard to read due to the extra long sentences and apparent ancient way of writing.
I quit on like about p 3 and tossed the book and the entire series and all writing by this author.
.
.
.
MY OPINION:
I found this EXCEPTIONALLY hard to read due to the extra long sentences and apparent ancient way of writing.
I quit on like about p 3 and tossed the book and the entire series and all writing by this author.
.
.
June 17, 2023
Discovered another historical series. Interestingly written with long run on sentences. Reads quickly and interesting economic history at the same time in history as the last war series that I just finished.
March 31, 2019
An enjoyable read!
I totally enjoyed The Privateersman. The History of the time made the story more interesting. Andrew Wareham writing style is easy to read. A very good read!!
I totally enjoyed The Privateersman. The History of the time made the story more interesting. Andrew Wareham writing style is easy to read. A very good read!!
May 28, 2022
New Author to Me!
Loved this book and p!an on reading many more. He reminds me a bit of Mary Kingswood's novels. Very good storyteller s.
Loved this book and p!an on reading many more. He reminds me a bit of Mary Kingswood's novels. Very good storyteller s.
October 7, 2015
Having achieved an extensive campaign with Patrick O’Brien’s twenty one book, Aubrey/Maturin canon, rereading several in the set over the years in lieu of staring anything else, so as I may not suffer that which, in comparison to this literary master, can only be described - as politely as possible, of course - as the dilute offerings of other men, I decided to jump ship and attempt another nautical themed book - this The Privateersman. Here I will incidentally note that though my pen name is Thomas Smyth, in the flesh I am Andrew Thomas, whilst the novel’s protagonist is Thomas Andrews. Perhaps something of a connection was stirred, if but through this coincidence alone; I am nothing the like to Wareham’s character.
It turns out this is not another nautical themed book. There is some swift naval action in the opening chapters, and the author is certainly well researched - much more so than the average wordsmith; however, as O’Brien could fill an entire chapter with an extensive action between two frigates, Mr. Wareham’s approach is as I’ve stated - swift; and not just with naval action: The novel’s prerogative is apparently to accomplish Mr. Andrew’s growth from boy to man. He starts off a lad of sixteen in chapter one, and by the last he is, I believe, in his mid-thirties and has experienced five major settings, existing in both America and England. The book is certainly fast paced; though I must say, not in a detrimental way: Mr. Wareham has the chops to pull it off, which I attribute, again, to his extensive historical knowledge of the period. My finest compliments to him.
Indeed, I was quite partial to the middle chapters of the book which dealt with Mr. Andrews negotiating the Industrial Revolution: coal, cotton, iron manufacturing, the volatility of booms and busts, &c., and the social history nebulous to such. Wareham has us shaking our heads at laissez-faire scenes, like that of whole families - men, women an children - being lowered a hundred feet into a coal mine, by way of a bucket tied to a rope, owning a diameter not much more than that of a human thumb; the place presumably being pumped somewhat dry by a Watt’s steam engine. The notion that such rope occasionally broke with the expected result, though this method of transport was far cheaper than the construction of a set of ladders down a separate shaft for the safety of the desperate folks expected to do the work, and thus was the one that prevailed, was not lost on I, nor probably any other modern reader that has benefited from the previous endeavorings of historical workers’ rights organizations.
At any rate, having spent many a night, week, and year excavating historical details concerning the state of agricultural science, glass and iron manufacturing, boiler and pipe heating of buildings, coal gasification, the mechanics of tithes, natural history, natural philosophy, social customs, &c., that I too would have something credible for my own historical novel, Of Woodbridge and Hedgely, set in 1820, I felt a bit of a kinship with Mr. Wareham, during my reading of his work, though we are decades apart in our respective periods of interest, regarding our two novels. I say read his novel for the comprehensive historical survey he has assembled through the eyes of Mr. Andrews, as he hops about the world of the 18th century. Sure, another reviewer could prattle on about the characters, the examination of race relations during this moment in time, how staunch religious views impacted both business and family relations, and so on, and be perfectly in the right in focusing on these, but I believe I will leave it for another reviewer to indeed accomplish such, and make this my closing thought: 4.5 stars - huzzah, huzzah!
-TS
It turns out this is not another nautical themed book. There is some swift naval action in the opening chapters, and the author is certainly well researched - much more so than the average wordsmith; however, as O’Brien could fill an entire chapter with an extensive action between two frigates, Mr. Wareham’s approach is as I’ve stated - swift; and not just with naval action: The novel’s prerogative is apparently to accomplish Mr. Andrew’s growth from boy to man. He starts off a lad of sixteen in chapter one, and by the last he is, I believe, in his mid-thirties and has experienced five major settings, existing in both America and England. The book is certainly fast paced; though I must say, not in a detrimental way: Mr. Wareham has the chops to pull it off, which I attribute, again, to his extensive historical knowledge of the period. My finest compliments to him.
Indeed, I was quite partial to the middle chapters of the book which dealt with Mr. Andrews negotiating the Industrial Revolution: coal, cotton, iron manufacturing, the volatility of booms and busts, &c., and the social history nebulous to such. Wareham has us shaking our heads at laissez-faire scenes, like that of whole families - men, women an children - being lowered a hundred feet into a coal mine, by way of a bucket tied to a rope, owning a diameter not much more than that of a human thumb; the place presumably being pumped somewhat dry by a Watt’s steam engine. The notion that such rope occasionally broke with the expected result, though this method of transport was far cheaper than the construction of a set of ladders down a separate shaft for the safety of the desperate folks expected to do the work, and thus was the one that prevailed, was not lost on I, nor probably any other modern reader that has benefited from the previous endeavorings of historical workers’ rights organizations.
At any rate, having spent many a night, week, and year excavating historical details concerning the state of agricultural science, glass and iron manufacturing, boiler and pipe heating of buildings, coal gasification, the mechanics of tithes, natural history, natural philosophy, social customs, &c., that I too would have something credible for my own historical novel, Of Woodbridge and Hedgely, set in 1820, I felt a bit of a kinship with Mr. Wareham, during my reading of his work, though we are decades apart in our respective periods of interest, regarding our two novels. I say read his novel for the comprehensive historical survey he has assembled through the eyes of Mr. Andrews, as he hops about the world of the 18th century. Sure, another reviewer could prattle on about the characters, the examination of race relations during this moment in time, how staunch religious views impacted both business and family relations, and so on, and be perfectly in the right in focusing on these, but I believe I will leave it for another reviewer to indeed accomplish such, and make this my closing thought: 4.5 stars - huzzah, huzzah!
-TS
May 28, 2015
A Review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book “The Privateerisman (A Poor Man at the Gate series – Book 1) written by Andrew Wareham 5-28-15
I obtained this book from Amazon Kindle at no cost and intended it for when I was in the mood for light reading. This book certainly filled the bill. It was a very enter an entertaining and fun book to read. It was your classic rags to riches story but when you had to suspend your belief in both logic and reality.
It was the story of a young lad of 16 who ends up in trouble with the tax collectors and police authorities because of his father. He is able to slay several of the attackers but lose his father in the process. After living the life of a fugitive from justice and fleeing the authorities he flees to another port city of England and there is “crimped” or shanghaied by a privateer ship captain and brought into the life of a privateer. A privateer is just a small step away from a pirate but England was at war both in defending her colonies in North America and with France.
A privateer would hunt down ships of enmity with England and capture them by force and sell the ship and its contraband product to the admiralty court and reap the rewards allowed.
The hero of the story, Tom Andrews soon finds himself in the Americas and with a half caste native from one of the Caribbean Islands and embarks on illegal trade of tobacco and cotton and involved in several murders of British soldiers forcing him and his companion to flee the Americas and escape back to England where he invests his ill-gotten gains into a fortune and ultimately acceptance into the higher levels of society with the hopes of receiving a title which was very necessary to being a leader in the English society.
The book ends somewhat abruptly thus guaranteeing the reader to consider “book 2” as a separate and new purchase.
This being said, the book was well written and the author is certainly schooled in the knowledge of aristocracy and business in eighteenth century England. I will most probably purchase the follow-up book but will wait for a while before reading the book. This would have been a better and epic read if the author combined the two books into one.
Notwithstanding, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it and as a consequence gave it four stars out of five and I would recommend it for those interested in this time period and who are in the mood for light and fun reading.
I obtained this book from Amazon Kindle at no cost and intended it for when I was in the mood for light reading. This book certainly filled the bill. It was a very enter an entertaining and fun book to read. It was your classic rags to riches story but when you had to suspend your belief in both logic and reality.
It was the story of a young lad of 16 who ends up in trouble with the tax collectors and police authorities because of his father. He is able to slay several of the attackers but lose his father in the process. After living the life of a fugitive from justice and fleeing the authorities he flees to another port city of England and there is “crimped” or shanghaied by a privateer ship captain and brought into the life of a privateer. A privateer is just a small step away from a pirate but England was at war both in defending her colonies in North America and with France.
A privateer would hunt down ships of enmity with England and capture them by force and sell the ship and its contraband product to the admiralty court and reap the rewards allowed.
The hero of the story, Tom Andrews soon finds himself in the Americas and with a half caste native from one of the Caribbean Islands and embarks on illegal trade of tobacco and cotton and involved in several murders of British soldiers forcing him and his companion to flee the Americas and escape back to England where he invests his ill-gotten gains into a fortune and ultimately acceptance into the higher levels of society with the hopes of receiving a title which was very necessary to being a leader in the English society.
The book ends somewhat abruptly thus guaranteeing the reader to consider “book 2” as a separate and new purchase.
This being said, the book was well written and the author is certainly schooled in the knowledge of aristocracy and business in eighteenth century England. I will most probably purchase the follow-up book but will wait for a while before reading the book. This would have been a better and epic read if the author combined the two books into one.
Notwithstanding, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it and as a consequence gave it four stars out of five and I would recommend it for those interested in this time period and who are in the mood for light and fun reading.
June 14, 2015
Horatio Hornblower fans may enjoy the early parts of this book. Ayn Rand fans might find a better hero and writer here with a lot less bombast and a lot more (maybe too much) soul. I enjoyed the story and appreciated the view of Georgian England. I was not initially impressed with the author's note in the foreword about his deliberate choice of long and oddly punctuated paragraphs. I've read enough classic English literature to feel like he was making a false cover for what is his personal stylistic quirk. However, I will say that the style didn't impede my enjoyment of the book and I probably would've griped about the style points if he hadn't said something about it beforehand. So...I give him a pass on that. It's finely written overall.
Contrary to other reviews, I think there was plenty of character development here, and there really is nothing confusing in the narrative. It does seem to go a little more towards romance than one might expect, and some may object to women-as-objects attitudes expressed, but those elements are clearly part of both the story and the character development.
For those who care about such things as much as I do, I will say that the book was clearly edited to remove inevitable typos and is free from misused words. Wareham spent the time to produce a quality product. I found three misspelled words in the last third of the book, only one of which should have been caught by spellchecker.
I just purchased book 2 in the series.
Contrary to other reviews, I think there was plenty of character development here, and there really is nothing confusing in the narrative. It does seem to go a little more towards romance than one might expect, and some may object to women-as-objects attitudes expressed, but those elements are clearly part of both the story and the character development.
For those who care about such things as much as I do, I will say that the book was clearly edited to remove inevitable typos and is free from misused words. Wareham spent the time to produce a quality product. I found three misspelled words in the last third of the book, only one of which should have been caught by spellchecker.
I just purchased book 2 in the series.
December 29, 2014
Given the title, I was expecting a long, swashbuckling adventure story, and there was some of that in the opening pages. However, before too long, the hero, who flees England as a youth on the run from the law, his father killed while caught smuggling to survive, and ends up shanghaied learning his pirate skills aboard a privateer, uses his pluck and varied talents to move on to other things. Characters are not necessarily drawe too deeply, but I found I didn't mind here, as Wareham has done his research. This book offers a relaxing, escapist opportunity to pursue a narrative about flawed underdogs persevering and eventually prospering while conveying all kinds of historical details about social life and commercial transactions for seagoing entrepreneurs in the late eighteenth century. The story stops in New York during the closing years of the American Revolution, and then, via Halifax and Edinburgh, eventually works its way to focus on a new life for Tom and his best buddy Joseph in English coal country as the Industrial Revolution is (excuse the pun) starting to pick up steam.
I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this free offer from Amazon and shall read on in the series.
I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this free offer from Amazon and shall read on in the series.
April 2, 2015
Kudos to the author for lack of coarse language. Tom Andrews and his father was attacked by thieves. The father was killed but young Tom managed to kill the others. He feared he would be punished for the deeds and fled. He was knocked over the head and ended up on a ship. He was more intelligent than most that surrounded him and he managed by his wits to thrive. About half way through the book I began to get bored because it plodded on and on with details that began to grate on my nerves. I persevered and managed to finish the first book in the series. This man was either the luckiest man alive or the most intelligent. Everything the young man touched turned to gold even though his station in life in that age was against him. Tom was not a likable character. He killed without a second thought and used women only for his own pleasure. Surprisingly he was fair to those that worked for him. Those who were unkind he promptly discharged them. The climate of that age was presented well and made you think that society during that time was a place you wouldn't want to be in. I am not sue I want to continue with the second volume if Tom's life continues on like the goose that laid the golden egg, however, the preview hints at his past catching up with him.
May 21, 2016
This is a well-written rags-to-riches story of a self-made man, Tom Andrews. Starting on the run in rural Dorset, Tom flees across the Atlantic Ocean and later returns to England where he invests heavily in industry. Tom's sound judge of character, at times questionable moral compass, hard work, and a large amount of luck leads him to make his fortune in the late 18th century - all under the worry that his past will catch up with him.
For the first chapter or two I was not hooked, but soon I was completely absorbed and enjoyed the style in which it was written. The plot plods along at a comfortable enough pace, if a little slow in places, but the writing is solid and the author shows good knowledge and thorough research. I very much enjoyed learning about the social and industrial developments of the time - as others have stated, this was a good way to learn about history without feeling it was a chore or at all boring. In particular I found Tom's fair treatment of his workers to be refreshing; a reminder that at heart he is a decent man.
While the ending was somewhat abrupt, I am intrigued to see what is in store next for Tom. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this book (especially as it was a free ebook) and am tempted by the sequels.
For the first chapter or two I was not hooked, but soon I was completely absorbed and enjoyed the style in which it was written. The plot plods along at a comfortable enough pace, if a little slow in places, but the writing is solid and the author shows good knowledge and thorough research. I very much enjoyed learning about the social and industrial developments of the time - as others have stated, this was a good way to learn about history without feeling it was a chore or at all boring. In particular I found Tom's fair treatment of his workers to be refreshing; a reminder that at heart he is a decent man.
While the ending was somewhat abrupt, I am intrigued to see what is in store next for Tom. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this book (especially as it was a free ebook) and am tempted by the sequels.
February 28, 2016
I downloaded this as a free book from Amazon because I needed a quick time-filler and it looked like it had good potential. This is the first in a series of I don't know how many books. The story was interesting, but it has what seems like pages and pages of detail about everything the main character becomes involved in. So much detail that I think it could have easily been condensed. I guess I'm just not that interested in 18th century naval battle tactics, as one example. You do get a history of the early beginnings of the industrial revolution in England. He is portrayed somewhat too perfectly in that everything he touches turns to gold, bringing himself up from a hungry fisherman/smuggler to trying to break into the upper crust, and I am wondering if his past deeds will catch up with him. While I'm not keen about his attitude towards women, I think it is a fairly accurate depiction of the times that the book was set in. Not sure if I want to pursue the subsequent volumes.
February 11, 2017
Interesting read. Very different from my normal reading, not a bad story, but not noteworthy either, but interesting.
January 27, 2016
This was a free Kindle book, but turned out to be better than I had expected. It is the story of a young man on the run who is shanghaied onto a privateer ship during the American Revolution. He turns out to be a great fighter and through a sequence of events fins himself in charge of the ship. He manages to end up with the money for himself and then heads to New York to make more. He crosses the line of the law, but at heart is a good man who cares for people. He just makes lots of money!
He eventually ends up back in England, where he makes more money. This time his business is more legitimate. All this leads to his chance to buy a big country estates and start on his way to becoming a gentleman.
Much of the story is rather predictable, but there was enough interest in the story and the character that I was willing to buy the second book in the series.
He eventually ends up back in England, where he makes more money. This time his business is more legitimate. All this leads to his chance to buy a big country estates and start on his way to becoming a gentleman.
Much of the story is rather predictable, but there was enough interest in the story and the character that I was willing to buy the second book in the series.
August 9, 2015
Self-made man saga, and I'm onboard. Great naval action in first book, but parts were not terribly interesting to me where there was no character development or revelation with sparsity of dialogue. I know from reviews from male population they liked all that sword slinging without dialogue and paused at second book. Thus, I made purchase of second book to continue the saga as I really like the end of the first book where Tom, the self-made man has some new experiences...such as attending church. Some very funny dialogue once you hit 85% completion. He makes some great decisions towards the end of "book one" as you would expect from a determined survivor and victor over adversity.
September 16, 2015
Exceptionally well written and true to the style of the era, with a sort of plot that plods along nicely, never feeling boring but similarly never appearing to amount to much. Some nice set pieces but ultimately I came away from this feeling that as a first volume it works very well, but as a stand alone tale perhaps not so much. A good thing that it is indeed the first in a series then, but when I begin reading the next volume it will be with trepidation...there are lots of books in this series and a long term investment seems a chore, particularly if each book follows a 'not much going on but wait until next time!' structure...!
January 3, 2017
This is a well-researched book. The author has gone into great detail, however, I could have used more character description, and dialogue. Also, the chapters are huge. A few more breaks, just to keep the reader interested.
It does read well, and keeps you interested, and has that rag to riches quality we all like, however, there is so much detail I sometimes lost sight of the main character. Many of the other characters are not fleshed out as well, we have no idea of what their motivation is for their actions.
I think this author has a great grasp of the historical genre, just a little more attention to the characters would make this a great series.
It does read well, and keeps you interested, and has that rag to riches quality we all like, however, there is so much detail I sometimes lost sight of the main character. Many of the other characters are not fleshed out as well, we have no idea of what their motivation is for their actions.
I think this author has a great grasp of the historical genre, just a little more attention to the characters would make this a great series.
November 9, 2022
The text of this book is entirely missing.
The cover and notes about the author are there, but that is all. I have tried 3times to purchase the book, without success.
I HATE the new kindke app. The site where books can be bought has text that is so tiny it is illegible. The search window is a joke.
For someone who links to a 72inch smart TV it may be fine. For lesser mortals who use a tablet, is truly SUCKS.
Go back to your drawing board, Amazon. Restore the "About this book" page with it's links to other books in a series, CLEARLY NUMBERED, that have the buy with one click enabled. Having to faff around the way it is now is horrible.
The cover and notes about the author are there, but that is all. I have tried 3times to purchase the book, without success.
I HATE the new kindke app. The site where books can be bought has text that is so tiny it is illegible. The search window is a joke.
For someone who links to a 72inch smart TV it may be fine. For lesser mortals who use a tablet, is truly SUCKS.
Go back to your drawing board, Amazon. Restore the "About this book" page with it's links to other books in a series, CLEARLY NUMBERED, that have the buy with one click enabled. Having to faff around the way it is now is horrible.
November 6, 2014
3.75 stars. I really don't know why I chose to read this book. The subject was a huge departure for me. It is written in an old English style and I was shocked that it was just recently published. Very well done, however, the style could be a bit tedious. In the beginning there are a lot of sailing/boating terms and it really wasn't my thing. I kept debating whether I should continue reading it. But, it is completely character driven and I really was drawn in. I felt the second half of the book was more interesting and I am curious to see where the series is going.
November 4, 2014
Historical fiction at its best recreates a lost time and culture for the reader to immerse in. The Privateersman does not. Not perfectly—too often the attitudes of the late eighteenth century characters betrays their twenty-first century provenance—but pretty close.
Wareham paid close attention to the happenings and technology of that time. He even gets some cultural details which modern readers may miss.
A good read.
Wareham paid close attention to the happenings and technology of that time. He even gets some cultural details which modern readers may miss.
A good read.
October 10, 2014
An interesting view of the period and a smooth flowing narrative
As a fan of Hornblower and Ramage I am fascinated with this period. The author seems to have portrayed the history of the times accurately and his characters are believable and likable. It feels like history but reads like an adventure story. I might question a 16 year old having that much savvy, but it is possible. Altogether a fun read.
As a fan of Hornblower and Ramage I am fascinated with this period. The author seems to have portrayed the history of the times accurately and his characters are believable and likable. It feels like history but reads like an adventure story. I might question a 16 year old having that much savvy, but it is possible. Altogether a fun read.
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