What do you think?
Rate this book
Duty and Destiny #3
The Fuzzy-Wuzzy Man
The Duty and Destiny Series: By Andrew Wareham, the author of the highly acclaimed, 'A Poor Man at the Gate Series.' Please Note: The novels are best read in series order.
First published in July 2014, The Duty and Destiny Series is a superbly-crafted family saga with a strong naval/seafaring theme. Set in the period of the French Revolutionary War (1793 – 1802). The series follows the naval career, loves and business dealings of Englishman, Frederick Harris, the son of a Hampshire landowner. He is a brave but reluctant mariner. Despite his disinclination, he is seemingly destined to become a Master and Commander of his own ship.
Book Three - The Fuzzy-Wuzzy Man: Frederick must sail his under-manned frigate to the Far East, the waters of the Spice Islands and beyond, in pursuit of a marauding French Squadron. He is able to make up his crew at the Cape, the army having a mutinous company of infantrymen that it wants rid of without scandal. He fights a pair of small actions and then a somewhat larger battle in the waters of East New Britain where the crew of a French ship are cast ashore, rapidly to be eaten by the local Tolai clansmen. The story of this action causes some upset in both France and Britain, it being implied that he bought the alliance of the Tolai – the Fuzzy-Wuzzies – with a supply of fresh French, ‘longpig’.
First published in July 2014, The Duty and Destiny Series is a superbly-crafted family saga with a strong naval/seafaring theme. Set in the period of the French Revolutionary War (1793 – 1802). The series follows the naval career, loves and business dealings of Englishman, Frederick Harris, the son of a Hampshire landowner. He is a brave but reluctant mariner. Despite his disinclination, he is seemingly destined to become a Master and Commander of his own ship.
Book Three - The Fuzzy-Wuzzy Man: Frederick must sail his under-manned frigate to the Far East, the waters of the Spice Islands and beyond, in pursuit of a marauding French Squadron. He is able to make up his crew at the Cape, the army having a mutinous company of infantrymen that it wants rid of without scandal. He fights a pair of small actions and then a somewhat larger battle in the waters of East New Britain where the crew of a French ship are cast ashore, rapidly to be eaten by the local Tolai clansmen. The story of this action causes some upset in both France and Britain, it being implied that he bought the alliance of the Tolai – the Fuzzy-Wuzzies – with a supply of fresh French, ‘longpig’.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2014
202 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 29, 2023
The title sounds silly but once you know the history it makes more sense; fuzzy was a slang term to describe some pacific islanders, and this story involves a somewhat shocking episode on Papua New Guinea involving "Fuzzies" which is doubtless these days a pretty politically incorrect term.
But that is something this book does not shy away from. The whole series is written as much as Andrew Wareham is able to in the tone and style of someone from the late 17th century. The attitudes, the language, the temperament and so on.
In this book, Captain Harris is sent to deal with a small squadron of French ships raiding and destroying English properties in the "Spice Islands" of Southeast Asia. Harris makes a different sort of captain than most; he has significant genuine "interest" in that he's very connected politically and wealthy. This is distinct from nearly every other naval captain going back to Hornblower, who had to earn and build "interest" or political clout. Harris starts with it and builds over time.
Also, Harris is pretty heartless, he's not mean or sadistic, but he does not seem to have any empathy or care much for what happens to people. He'll help those he likes, he doesn't seek out misery but he's very callous toward anyone he deems unworthy of sympathy, which includes all French and most poor people. Also, he's no great navigator or sailor, he leaves that to the Sailing Master and concentrates on executive decisions and fighting, which he is quite good at.
Despite this, he's a likable enough guy and the series is quite humorous, especially if you like dry or subtle humor.
But that is something this book does not shy away from. The whole series is written as much as Andrew Wareham is able to in the tone and style of someone from the late 17th century. The attitudes, the language, the temperament and so on.
In this book, Captain Harris is sent to deal with a small squadron of French ships raiding and destroying English properties in the "Spice Islands" of Southeast Asia. Harris makes a different sort of captain than most; he has significant genuine "interest" in that he's very connected politically and wealthy. This is distinct from nearly every other naval captain going back to Hornblower, who had to earn and build "interest" or political clout. Harris starts with it and builds over time.
Also, Harris is pretty heartless, he's not mean or sadistic, but he does not seem to have any empathy or care much for what happens to people. He'll help those he likes, he doesn't seek out misery but he's very callous toward anyone he deems unworthy of sympathy, which includes all French and most poor people. Also, he's no great navigator or sailor, he leaves that to the Sailing Master and concentrates on executive decisions and fighting, which he is quite good at.
Despite this, he's a likable enough guy and the series is quite humorous, especially if you like dry or subtle humor.
August 13, 2018
Fred's at sea in Fuzz-Wuzzy, and this is all to the good. There is the usual problem here, as in this series - ie to say, too much action and too many characters [many or most of whom you never hear of again] telescoped into a fast moving blur. A bit reverse of the medal vis-à-vis a smooth read. However if too much action is never enough, this'd be the series for you.
January 15, 2023
The Fuzzy Wuzzy Man
Excellent book which I thoroughly enjoyed. The hero is much different to others (such as Hornblower etc) as he has a certain ruthlessness about him and does not suffer fools or vagabonds lightly with the threat of hanging to anyone who breaks the Royal Navy tradition’s. Now moving onto the next book in the series as I am now completely hooked!
Excellent book which I thoroughly enjoyed. The hero is much different to others (such as Hornblower etc) as he has a certain ruthlessness about him and does not suffer fools or vagabonds lightly with the threat of hanging to anyone who breaks the Royal Navy tradition’s. Now moving onto the next book in the series as I am now completely hooked!
May 20, 2017
The entire series is solid, especially the immersion into the history. However, after the first 3 or 4 books, the reader begins to discern the pattern in the plots.
January 9, 2018
I do enjoy these stories
They have the seafaring swashbuckling adventures, detailed sailing instruction and enough of landed gentry discription to make a well rounded story.
They have the seafaring swashbuckling adventures, detailed sailing instruction and enough of landed gentry discription to make a well rounded story.
July 22, 2021
Good read!
A well crafted story. Authentic in detail but unrealistic in unbridled success. I found myself wishing them all well nonetheless.
A well crafted story. Authentic in detail but unrealistic in unbridled success. I found myself wishing them all well nonetheless.
August 15, 2022
Excellent, yet again!!!
Perhaps better than the previous book!...
Mr. Wareham's humor is some of the best I have ever read. Bosomtwi is an excellent character!
-Randol Craver.....
Perhaps better than the previous book!...
Mr. Wareham's humor is some of the best I have ever read. Bosomtwi is an excellent character!
-Randol Craver.....
February 22, 2023
an engaging hero whose small stature is appealing to those who admire Nelson, and like Nelson has a life off-sea as well. General Naval adventures.
July 25, 2016
Wareham deliver an excellent series!
Andrew Wareham has outdone himself in this rousing historicalness series! Accuracy both in the navigation realm as well as in the English societal realm.
Andrew Wareham has outdone himself in this rousing historicalness series! Accuracy both in the navigation realm as well as in the English societal realm.
December 4, 2025
My 3rd read in the series of Wareham's "Duty and Destiny" books. They get better and better! Heading off to buy the 4th and 5th instalment. Excellent good!
October 10, 2015
Love this series, already on number 4.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews