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Alan Lewrie #9
King's Captain
Following the footsteps of Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey, whose ripping adventures capture thousands of new readers each year, comes the heir apparent to the mantle of Forester and O' Dewey Lambdin, and his acclaimed Alan Lewrie series. In this latest adventure Lewrie is promoted for his quick action in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, but before he's even had a chance to settle into his new role, a mutiny rages through the fleet, and the sudden reappearance of an old enemy has Lewrie fighting not just for his command, but for his life.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
157 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Dewey Lambdin
70 books278 followersDewey Lambdin (1945-2021 ) was an American nautical historical novelist. He was best known for his Alan Lewrie naval adventure series, set during the Napoleonic Wars. Besides the Alan Lewrie series, he was also the author of What Lies Buried: a novel of Old Cape Fear.
A self-proclaimed "Navy Brat," Lambdin spent a good deal of his early days on both coasts of the U.S.A., and overseas duty stations, with his father. His father enlisted as a Seaman Recruit in 1930, was "mustanged" from the lower deck (from Yeoman chief Petty Officer) at Notre Dame in '42, and was career Navy until May of 1954, when he was killed at sea aboard the USS Bennington CVA-20 (see below), on which he served as Administrative Officer, 5th in line-of-command (posthumous Lieutenant Commander).
Lambdin himself attended Castle Heights Military Academy, graduated in 1962, and was destined to be the family's first "ring-knocker" from the U.S. Naval Academy, "... until he realised that physics, calculus, and counting higher than ten were bigger than he was."[1] He studied at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Liberal arts and Theatre, where he was published in The Theme Vault in 1963, also reprinted in a national textbook, which whetted his appetite for writing. However, he failed his degree. He finally graduated with a degree in Film & TV Production from Montana State University, Bozeman, in 1969. This was considered at the time to be the McHale's Navy of the academic set, so the nautical influence was still at work. He has worked for a network affiliate TV station as a producer/director for twelve years, an independent station as production manager and senior director/writer/ producer for three years, all in Memphis, and as a writer/producer with a Nashville advertising/production facility, or in free-lance camera, lighting and writing.
He has been a sailor since 1976 and spends his free time working and sailing on his beloved sloop Wind Dancer, with a special taste for cruising the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Lambdin has thus far resisted the temptation to trade his beloved typewriter for a computer. He lived in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, a Friend of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England; Cousteau Society; the former American Film Institute; and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
-Wikipedia
Mr Lambdin passed away on July 26, 2021 at the age of 76.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/deweyl...
A self-proclaimed "Navy Brat," Lambdin spent a good deal of his early days on both coasts of the U.S.A., and overseas duty stations, with his father. His father enlisted as a Seaman Recruit in 1930, was "mustanged" from the lower deck (from Yeoman chief Petty Officer) at Notre Dame in '42, and was career Navy until May of 1954, when he was killed at sea aboard the USS Bennington CVA-20 (see below), on which he served as Administrative Officer, 5th in line-of-command (posthumous Lieutenant Commander).
Lambdin himself attended Castle Heights Military Academy, graduated in 1962, and was destined to be the family's first "ring-knocker" from the U.S. Naval Academy, "... until he realised that physics, calculus, and counting higher than ten were bigger than he was."[1] He studied at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Liberal arts and Theatre, where he was published in The Theme Vault in 1963, also reprinted in a national textbook, which whetted his appetite for writing. However, he failed his degree. He finally graduated with a degree in Film & TV Production from Montana State University, Bozeman, in 1969. This was considered at the time to be the McHale's Navy of the academic set, so the nautical influence was still at work. He has worked for a network affiliate TV station as a producer/director for twelve years, an independent station as production manager and senior director/writer/ producer for three years, all in Memphis, and as a writer/producer with a Nashville advertising/production facility, or in free-lance camera, lighting and writing.
He has been a sailor since 1976 and spends his free time working and sailing on his beloved sloop Wind Dancer, with a special taste for cruising the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Lambdin has thus far resisted the temptation to trade his beloved typewriter for a computer. He lived in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, a Friend of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England; Cousteau Society; the former American Film Institute; and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
-Wikipedia
Mr Lambdin passed away on July 26, 2021 at the age of 76.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/deweyl...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 25, 2020
Wow!
So the last few books in the Alan Lawrie series I have found somewhat disappointing: the last quarter being good but the preceding three -quarters being either slow or sometimes downright boring. Having looked at a few reviews on goodreads I realised I was not alone and was worried about this book.
This however is like the original books in the series and is gripping from the very first page (although without the sardonicism of the earliest books). The plot set in the great mutiny, with Lawrie at the Nore, is similar to nearly every other historical naval fiction series, but the writing was refreshingly active and there was always something happening and a constant twisting of the plot.
I feel relieved that Lambdin has second his style and the rest of the series is worth continuing with!
So the last few books in the Alan Lawrie series I have found somewhat disappointing: the last quarter being good but the preceding three -quarters being either slow or sometimes downright boring. Having looked at a few reviews on goodreads I realised I was not alone and was worried about this book.
This however is like the original books in the series and is gripping from the very first page (although without the sardonicism of the earliest books). The plot set in the great mutiny, with Lawrie at the Nore, is similar to nearly every other historical naval fiction series, but the writing was refreshingly active and there was always something happening and a constant twisting of the plot.
I feel relieved that Lambdin has second his style and the rest of the series is worth continuing with!
September 22, 2019
Love his books! I'm already looking forward to #10, even though I have a couple of BIG books ahead of me. These books may stand alone; Dewey takes pains to tell the reader what's important to know to appreciate the current story -- and I admire the way he does that (very economically) -- but I do think these books are best read in order starting with #1. Why not?
March 9, 2020
Not much in the way of sea-going high jinks in this one, but it's still very good!
May 27, 2015
I love the Alan Lewrie series. The hero is no Hornblower but a rakehell who has a liking for women and drink which always get him in trouble. There is good history hear though , the Spitehead and Nore mutinies are covered and shows the danger the British were in by the Dutch in 1797. If you enjoy the Flashman books you'll like these.
March 25, 2012
I read the entire series largely back-to-back (my local public library is well-stocked). One of the great things about this series is that we get to watch Alan Lewrie, the main character, grow up from a callow, self-indulgent teenager to a mature, thoughtful, and responsible adult.
August 5, 2022
This is one of the better books in the series. Back to the fast paced style of the first few books. The story this time is full of intrigue and the action this time is more character based than the typical broadside to broadside.
October 17, 2021
King’s Captain is the best of the series so far for a number of reasons. First of all, it is the least episodic. It could be read as a stand alone novel as it deals with one event—the Nore Mutiny of 1797. This mutiny didn’t end as well for the participants as did the Spithead Mutiny which was settled to the satisfaction of the sailors. In the normal course of things, the Captain of a British warship was like the king of a small kingdom. And, as with most surperior/subordinate relationships the effectiveness of the system was based on the subordinates agreement to abide by the Articles of War. The entire system is based on acceptance of the chain of command. In a mutiny everything was turned upside down. In many cases on the Nore the officers were sent away from the ships leaving them totally under the control of the crew. In the case of Alan Lewrie, he stays on board his newly constructed frigate Pegasus as a newly minted Post Captain, a long awaited promotion. He had participated in the Battle of St Vincent successfully assisting Captain Horatio Nelson whose heroism finally earned him promotion to Admiral. Lewrie was the only non Post Captain awarded the St Vincent medal. Now, after a short two week stay at home he receives orders to take command of a beautiful new frigate and is promoted in the bargain. But his new ship got off to a shaky start, stuck in the stays during launch. The first captain’s chaplain was drowned trying to climb on board and that captain was so depressed over the event that he quit the service. The Pegasus was seen as a bad luck ship. And now the mutiny. Mr Lambkin does a great job, I think, in creating the tension caused by the mutiny. Lewrie works hard to maintain his authority in face of the his mutinous crew. In the end he cleverly uses old Celtic legends and a group of whores to help him regain control of the ship and sails it out of harms way with the mutineers in irons and the ladies rewarded financially for their service to him. As always, John Lee gives a great performance reading the book. There is an epilogue which sets up the next installment. Someone has written to Caroline detailing all of Lewrie’s affairs in the Mediterranean. His marriage, it appears, will unravel. On to book 10.
March 20, 2024
The similarity of the title, The King’s Captain with two earlier books, The King’s Coat and The King’s Commission, led me to believe I’d read this one before. It turned out that I hadn’t. King’s Captain is an Alan Lewrie narrative that begins with Lewrie following Commodore Horatio Nelson in his madcap action off the Cape of St. Vincent. Yet, the bulk of the book deals with other issues than sea battles.
There is a political element to the book, though Lewrie’s role in the overall political aspect is rather limited. There is a pragmatic element to the book in terms of land management, social status, and estate economics. Finally, there is the expected (from the title) commissioning and command of a ship, only to face a different kind of threat than Lewrie has actually faced before—a threat from within. Indeed, that threat from within allows a “blast from the past” to engender that threat.
I liked the way Dewey Lambdin managed to weave in anti-Irish discrimination, pagan superstition, and unanticipated events. I can’t explain without spoiling it, but suffice it to say that there is a possible supernatural angle with which to play in future events as I read further in the series. It is safe to say that King’s Captain has the least amount of fighting sail action but is the most rewarding in terms of historical incidents, individuals, and insight. It turns out I’ve read some of the later novels in the series, but just happened to miss this one. And I’m very glad I found it.
There is a political element to the book, though Lewrie’s role in the overall political aspect is rather limited. There is a pragmatic element to the book in terms of land management, social status, and estate economics. Finally, there is the expected (from the title) commissioning and command of a ship, only to face a different kind of threat than Lewrie has actually faced before—a threat from within. Indeed, that threat from within allows a “blast from the past” to engender that threat.
I liked the way Dewey Lambdin managed to weave in anti-Irish discrimination, pagan superstition, and unanticipated events. I can’t explain without spoiling it, but suffice it to say that there is a possible supernatural angle with which to play in future events as I read further in the series. It is safe to say that King’s Captain has the least amount of fighting sail action but is the most rewarding in terms of historical incidents, individuals, and insight. It turns out I’ve read some of the later novels in the series, but just happened to miss this one. And I’m very glad I found it.
June 14, 2018
This book got off to a slow start. I love nautical fiction set during the Napoleonic period because of the sense of travel and voyaging. I don't find long passages in which the the main characters are ashore or in port nearly as interesting. That being said the book did pick up about halfway through. Lambdin's description of the Nore Mutiny is very entertaining and more or less in line with the historical record. I love the idea of Alan Lewrie's new ship, HMS Proteus, as being a ship with a soul tied to the old gods and the manner in which Lewrie's is coming to terms with the reality that there are many things in the world that are not explained in either the science of man or the scripture of the Christian God. I hope this is a theme that the author will maintain and that HMS Proteus will be for Capt Lewrie what HMS Surprise was to Jack Aubrey. Four stars.
August 27, 2018
This is a fascinating dramatization of the Spithead and Nore mutinies of 1797. Personalizing a little known dark period in British naval history makes for a very interesting read. It does indeed make one wonder whether the authors of Marxism were familiar with this history and if it helped to form their own ideas? It sounds like Lewrie's past may catch up to him, but that is a story to be told later. Once again, the characters are a little shallow, and one has to dig deep to recall the significance of recurring characters.
Overall, a good read.
Overall, a good read.
January 25, 2020
A very interesting read
The latest novel in the series isn't as exciting as the previous ones, but it is very interesting in that it concentrates on the Naval mummies of the the 1790s. There is still some blood and thunder and the story is excellently weaved into real historical p!aces and with real named individuals. The final twist leaves you half approving and half disappointed in the revelations that are given out. I've no doubt Lewrie will squirm his way out, indeed I fervently hope so
The latest novel in the series isn't as exciting as the previous ones, but it is very interesting in that it concentrates on the Naval mummies of the the 1790s. There is still some blood and thunder and the story is excellently weaved into real historical p!aces and with real named individuals. The final twist leaves you half approving and half disappointed in the revelations that are given out. I've no doubt Lewrie will squirm his way out, indeed I fervently hope so
April 23, 2018
A very important historical event as far as the navy is concerned, and just about impossible for the author of a series to ignore, but it’s actually quite a dry and boring thing to write about.
I have read far worse versions (Julian Stockwin’s springs to mind) so if you have to choose a version, go with this one - although I’d skip it altogether if you can - I would have if I wasn’t so anal about reading series is the correct order.
I have read far worse versions (Julian Stockwin’s springs to mind) so if you have to choose a version, go with this one - although I’d skip it altogether if you can - I would have if I wasn’t so anal about reading series is the correct order.
May 1, 2019
Ram cat caught!
4 stars because it's an excellent story spoiled by hyphenated words that shouldn't be, spellings that make no sense in either UK or American English. An excellent story none the less, especially the use of the Old Gods, sailors being superstitious even today, I still believe in them too!
4 stars because it's an excellent story spoiled by hyphenated words that shouldn't be, spellings that make no sense in either UK or American English. An excellent story none the less, especially the use of the Old Gods, sailors being superstitious even today, I still believe in them too!
June 5, 2018
Kept me up for three nights straight!
Love the Lewrie novels. I was almost late for work this morning because I could not put this book down till 2 am. Good history and accurate from what I know about those times. Keep writing Mister Lambdin and I will keep reading.
Love the Lewrie novels. I was almost late for work this morning because I could not put this book down till 2 am. Good history and accurate from what I know about those times. Keep writing Mister Lambdin and I will keep reading.
March 19, 2019
Dominated by The Nore
Not a bad read but dominated by the Nore. I did laugh when Lewrie was signing on his new crew. Did he really sign on most of the cast of "Are you being served?". If intentional, it was clever....
Not a bad read but dominated by the Nore. I did laugh when Lewrie was signing on his new crew. Did he really sign on most of the cast of "Are you being served?". If intentional, it was clever....
February 29, 2024
It has been awhile since I last read one of the stories in this series and probably would not have continued the series except that this one was on sale. I found it to be enjoyable and diverting, but not enough to pay $12 for.
August 27, 2018
This is so far the best of the series, the protagonist is at the Mutiny on the Nore and deals with the fleet wide mutiny of 1797.
March 9, 2019
Too much time spent on the Mutiny at the Nore. Very little sea action. A good weaving of personalities for both the seafarers and lubbers.
July 31, 2019
Listened to all the books 1 to 14. They were great but books 15 to 20 were not recorded. Bummer.
September 25, 2019
Buckle my swash
Good could be better interesting take on a dark period of Royal Navy history enjoying the series .Mutiny makes strange bedfellows.looking forward to next yarn.
Good could be better interesting take on a dark period of Royal Navy history enjoying the series .Mutiny makes strange bedfellows.looking forward to next yarn.
May 23, 2020
A good one. Nore mutiny. Quite fun. For Royal Navy fans.
May 26, 2020
This one is thankfully free of ze silly accents, mon ami.
Hip, hip, hip huzzar!
Hip, hip, hip huzzar!
September 8, 2020
Excellent, and possibly one of my favourite ‘Alan Lewrie’ tales so far!
March 11, 2022
Mutiny.
May 5, 2022
The slowest, most boring volume in the series so far.
September 17, 2022
Another great Read
Lt Alan Lewrie gets his well earned promotion and get his new Command, unfortunately the Ship may not like Protestants!
Lt Alan Lewrie gets his well earned promotion and get his new Command, unfortunately the Ship may not like Protestants!
August 29, 2024
Meh
The history was interesting but the tale took too long in the telling. This one was too easy to set down.
The history was interesting but the tale took too long in the telling. This one was too easy to set down.
August 10, 2018
It’s Valentine’s Day, 1797, and the Jester sloop under Commander Alan Lewrie is prowling behind the line-of-battle ships as Admiral Jervis seeks to close with the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent. And when Captain Horatio Nelson goes against orders in breaking out to pursue his own instincts against an enemy division, Lewrie gets sucked into the action against his much better judgment. But Nelson’s success gets him promoted Rear Admiral and Lewrie, from pure dumb luck combined with a willingness to take a chance when necessary, ends up being made post and is given Proteus, a spanking-new frigate -- with a perhaps mystical personality. And that’s just about all the naval action you’ll find in this ninth in the series, but that’s because history has once again caught Lewrie up, in the form of the widespread mutinies at Spithead and the Nore. Lambdin does an excellent job of placing these close-to-revolutionary events in the context of the times: High taxation, soaring prices for consumer goods, industrial revolution and continued low wages for those not involved in it, and an increasingly repressive Tory government. Denied by circumstances the usual privilege of taking a core of favored crewmen from his last command to his new one, he must learn his way around not only a new ship and new responsibilities but an entirely new group of subordinates. And cope with the mutiny when it comes to him. And deal with his wife and family. And cope with the notion of his rapscallion father living next door. Not to mention all those women in his past! I suspect this installment may disappoint those who merely want blood and action and don’t care about “real” history, but I enjoyed it a great deal.
April 2, 2016
Captain Lewrie is always good for a few giggles, but this book bogged down a little with the narrative during the Nore mutiny. There was a nice little mystery though in wondering who one of the mutineers was. The author does a really good job of connecting the events from previous books. And I think there was only one "Mine arse on a bandbox!" in this book. :)
September 9, 2021
Audiobook, John Lee. This is a quick summary to help me separate the books for myself...
Fights at St. Vincent in Jester w Nelson. Trashes it so back to England for repair.. meantime, he is assigned new Frigate Proteus bring outfitted at Sheerness. But mutiny. Epilogue introduced the damning letter to Caroline.
Fights at St. Vincent in Jester w Nelson. Trashes it so back to England for repair.. meantime, he is assigned new Frigate Proteus bring outfitted at Sheerness. But mutiny. Epilogue introduced the damning letter to Caroline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews