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Honor/Peter Wake #4

A Dishonorable Few

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Robert Macomber's Honor series of naval fiction follows the life and career of Peter Wake in the U.S. Navy during the tumultuous years from 1863 to 1901. Dishonorable Few is the fourth in the series.

It is 1869. The United States is painfully recovering from the Civil War and Lt. Peter Wake concludes the first shore duty of his career at Pensacola Naval Yard to become the executive officer of the USS Canton. Headed to turbulent Central America to deal with a former American naval officer turned renegade mercenary, Wake discovers that no one trusts anyone in that deadly part of the world--with good reason.

As the action unfolds in Colombia and Panama, Wake realizes that his most dangerous adversary may be a man on his own ship, forcing him to make a decision that will lead to his court-martial in Washington when the mission has finally ended.

This historical thriller will take the reader from the sinister streets of Cartagena to the reef-strewn coast of Nicaragua to the halls of power in Washington, D.C. Along the way, the ambitions of European empires, Latin American dictatorships, and American politics form a dark background to Wake's desperate search for a maniacal killer--and his own trial.


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358 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2005

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About the author

Robert N. Macomber

37 books35 followers
Robert N. Macomber is a multi-award winning author, internationally acclaimed lecturer, former Dept. of Defense consultant, adventurous expedition leader, an accomplished seaman, and a reviewer for the New York Journal of Books. He was named “2020 Florida Writer of the Year” by the FL Writers Association

His reputation for historical detail, engaging plots, distinctive characters, helpful maps, extensive bibliographies, and educational endnotes creates eager readers and listeners alike.

He is best known for his "Honor Series", the popular maritime thrillers which describe the life and career of his protagonist, a U.S. naval officer, Peter Wake, from the American Civil War in Florida, beyond the Spanish-American War in 1898, and well into 2023.

When not traveling for research treks, lecture tours, or book signings, Macomber enjoys cooking exotic cuisines inspired by his novels and sailing quietly among remote islands.

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Joanne.
205 reviews12 followers
April 6, 2015
Robert Macomber is like a machine; but his writing is elegant! This tale of pirates and other greedy low life was exciting right down to page 354. Love all the characters but do feel sorry for poor Linda aka Mrs. Peter Wake.
459 reviews3 followers
July 30, 2022
Eye-opening description of the problems of a disturbed ship captain, the dangers and perils of those who serve under him, and the impossible moral decisions made by the second in command. The historical insights are, once again, sweeping and revelatory and cover areas not addressed in his previous books, including Columbia, Panama, and Nicaragua.

Robert Macomber's Honor series of naval fiction follows the life and career of Peter Wake in the U.S. Navy during the tumultuous years from 1863 to 1901. Dishonorable Few is the fourth in the series.

It is 1869. The United States is painfully recovering from the Civil War and Lt. Peter Wake concludes the first shore duty of his career at Pensacola Naval Yard to become the executive officer of the USS Canton. Headed to turbulent Central America to deal with a former American naval officer turned renegade mercenary, Wake discovers that no one trusts anyone in that deadly part of the world--with good reason.

As the action unfolds in Colombia and Panama, Wake realizes that his most dangerous adversary may be a man on his own ship, forcing him to make a decision that will lead to his court-martial in Washington when the mission has finally ended.

This historical thriller will take the reader from the sinister streets of Cartagena to the reef-strewn coast of Nicaragua to the halls of power in Washington, D.C. Along the way, the ambitions of European empires, Latin American dictatorships, and American politics form a dark background to Wake's desperate search for a maniacal killer--and his own trial.


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nancy.
Author 40 books667 followers
March 20, 2021
Lt. Peter Wake, executive officer on the USS Canton, risks his career to defy the ineffective captain in charge of their Naval mission in 1869. They’re to find and eliminate a scourge of the Caribbean, a cruel pirate known as El Gringo Loco. Relations with the various South and Central American nations are fraught with perils as they steam south. Determined to complete their task, Wake steps in to take command when Captain Terrington disappears inside his cabin for days on end. Number 4 in the Honor Series, this story provides hours of escape as you sail into perilous waters with our intrepid hero. But the biggest danger is waiting for him at home, where he must face the consequences of his actions. Highly recommended for fans of historical military fiction.

17 reviews1 follower
Read
May 6, 2022
Excellent Story telling.

I liked the story based on military and historical fact. I liked the tie of Honor in the title of each of his books to a man who believed in Honor, particularly to those whom he commanded and befriended. I was intrigued with the tie into the role of the US Navy during and after the Civil War. I am a career US Army officer and could relate to having to make tough decisions in difficult situations.
13 reviews
October 10, 2025
Really enjoy reading this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
January 30, 2016
More pertinent today than ever....

In 2016 as we see increasing evidence of eroding ethical behavior in government, and business, this stirring tale of Peter Wake's courage and singular focus on honor, duty and country remind us of what is right.
77 reviews
Want to read
May 17, 2010
I'm going to have to return this before I read it but want to keep it on my list to read this series in the future.
Profile Image for Rob.
263 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2011
Much better than the third in the series, "Honorable Mention". Very Enjoyable Read!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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