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Pressed: Recruitment by Force
For over one hundred years, England manned their warships by impressing men and boys from the poor areas of the country and sending them to sea without their consent or concern for their families left behind. This is the story of two families that lost their men to press gangs that roamed the country, gathering men by force, all with the approval of the king of England. Life on the warships was brutal and cruel, the sailors virtual prisoners.
Mona Froud lost her husband Ned to the press gangs, leaving her with a young son, Daniel, and very pregnant with the second. After fifteen years she still had no idea if he was alive or dead. She had to get work as a barmaid to feed her young family. Maria Duncan and Will Ryketts were to be married and start their lives together. Their future was changed forever when press gangs raided a tavern in their small town.
Mona's and Maria's lives become intertwined by the loss of their men to the king and his wars at sea.
Mona Froud lost her husband Ned to the press gangs, leaving her with a young son, Daniel, and very pregnant with the second. After fifteen years she still had no idea if he was alive or dead. She had to get work as a barmaid to feed her young family. Maria Duncan and Will Ryketts were to be married and start their lives together. Their future was changed forever when press gangs raided a tavern in their small town.
Mona's and Maria's lives become intertwined by the loss of their men to the king and his wars at sea.
566 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 31, 2024
Set against the backdrop of the early 19th century, focusing on the tumultuous Napoleonic Wars, “Pressed: Recruitment by Force” by W. Blair Doman plunges readers into a world of naval warfare while keeping a sharp eye on personal struggle.
Thrilling and rich with historical detail, “Pressed” focuses on impressment, a practice in which boys and young men were forcibly recruited into naval service. Doman captures the brutality and human toll of such a thing through the experiences of the protagonist, William Cutter, a young merchant sailor whose life is upended when he is forced into service by the British Royal Navy. What follows is a harrowing journey that explores themes of survival and resilience.
At its core, “Pressed” is a character-driven novel. William is an engaging protagonist whose internal struggles are as compelling as the external conflicts he faces. His journey from a young merchant sailor to a hardened naval fighter is expertly developed. Taking care to explore his personal growth, Doman highlights the psychological impact of being forced into a war that is not William’s own. Doman shapes a multi-dimensional character in William, whose vulnerability and determination resonate. Secondary characters, such as fellow sailors pressed into service and the ship’s officers, are also well-drawn, each adding depth to the narrative and reflecting the various moral ambiguities of wartime service.
Something Doman does exceptionally well in “Pressed” is the vivid and detailed depiction of life at sea during this period. Meticulous research shines through in the descriptions of naval battles, the hierarchy of ship life, and the grim conditions faced by sailors. The authenticity of the setting immerses readers directly onto the decks of the ships, where the dangers of the sea and war are constant. For readers who appreciate historical accuracy, this novel delivers in spades, providing a rich portrayal of the era’s naval warfare and both the social and political dynamics of the time.
The novel’s pacing is also very well-balanced, combining intense action scenes with more personal contemplation as William considers the turns his life has taken. The individual toll of impressment, as described via the dangers involved in naval life and the deep emotional scars William battles, creates a far more layered narrative than mere historical adventure.
Although “Pressed” includes a great deal of historical detail, it also touches on personal freedom and identity, not to mention the lasting effect of war. The ethical questions surrounding impressment and the treatment of sailors are woven into every chapter, prompting readers to reflect on the human cost of conflict and the choices individuals are forced to make under duress.
“Pressed: Recruitment by Force” is an absorbing read that appeals to fans of historical fiction, most especially anyone interested in naval history or the Napoleonic Wars. W Blair Doman’s grasp on the details of the era and attention to the personal and emotional aspects of a little-known element of naval history make for an unexpectedly tender story amid a thrilling setting.
Thrilling and rich with historical detail, “Pressed” focuses on impressment, a practice in which boys and young men were forcibly recruited into naval service. Doman captures the brutality and human toll of such a thing through the experiences of the protagonist, William Cutter, a young merchant sailor whose life is upended when he is forced into service by the British Royal Navy. What follows is a harrowing journey that explores themes of survival and resilience.
At its core, “Pressed” is a character-driven novel. William is an engaging protagonist whose internal struggles are as compelling as the external conflicts he faces. His journey from a young merchant sailor to a hardened naval fighter is expertly developed. Taking care to explore his personal growth, Doman highlights the psychological impact of being forced into a war that is not William’s own. Doman shapes a multi-dimensional character in William, whose vulnerability and determination resonate. Secondary characters, such as fellow sailors pressed into service and the ship’s officers, are also well-drawn, each adding depth to the narrative and reflecting the various moral ambiguities of wartime service.
Something Doman does exceptionally well in “Pressed” is the vivid and detailed depiction of life at sea during this period. Meticulous research shines through in the descriptions of naval battles, the hierarchy of ship life, and the grim conditions faced by sailors. The authenticity of the setting immerses readers directly onto the decks of the ships, where the dangers of the sea and war are constant. For readers who appreciate historical accuracy, this novel delivers in spades, providing a rich portrayal of the era’s naval warfare and both the social and political dynamics of the time.
The novel’s pacing is also very well-balanced, combining intense action scenes with more personal contemplation as William considers the turns his life has taken. The individual toll of impressment, as described via the dangers involved in naval life and the deep emotional scars William battles, creates a far more layered narrative than mere historical adventure.
Although “Pressed” includes a great deal of historical detail, it also touches on personal freedom and identity, not to mention the lasting effect of war. The ethical questions surrounding impressment and the treatment of sailors are woven into every chapter, prompting readers to reflect on the human cost of conflict and the choices individuals are forced to make under duress.
“Pressed: Recruitment by Force” is an absorbing read that appeals to fans of historical fiction, most especially anyone interested in naval history or the Napoleonic Wars. W Blair Doman’s grasp on the details of the era and attention to the personal and emotional aspects of a little-known element of naval history make for an unexpectedly tender story amid a thrilling setting.
February 11, 2025
Such an incredible story of perseverance, hardship and the ability to find your place in this world despite the odds. Each character becomes someone you feel a connection to and whether you want to or not, you find yourself hoping against all odds for it all come together for each of them. The historical references of life during the early 1800’s makes you truly feel the loss and effects of the press gangs and how many were left to try to survive with little when they should have had so much more. This book keeps you looking to the next chapter, needing to find out more, keeping you guessing until the very last page. I could not put this down. A beautiful emotional story.
August 3, 2025
Just an outstanding book and probably one of the best I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews