The Port of Missing Men

by Meredith Nicholson

Come, sweetheart, let us ride away beyond the city's bound, And seek what pleasant lands across the distant hills are found. There is a golden light that shines beyond the verge of dawn, And there are happy highways leading on and always on; So, sweetheart, let us mount and ride, with never a backward glance, To find the pleasant shelter of the Valley of Romance.Before us, down the golden road, floats dust from charging steeds, Where two adventurous companies clash loud in mighty deeds; And from the tower that stands alert like some tall, beckoning pine, E'en now, my heart, I see afar the lights of welcome shine!O sweetheart, it is good to find the pathway shining clear! The road is broad, the hope is sure, and you are near and dear! So loose the rein and cheer the steed and let us race away To seek the lands that lie beyond the borders of To-day. Oh, we shall hear at last, my heart, a cheering welcome cried As o'er a clattering drawbridge through the Gate of Dreams we ride!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Classics, Fiction

399 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Meredith Nicholson was a best-selling author, a politician, and a diplomat.

Reviews

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man sitting in fron of Von Strobel was heard of as dead; and if he were to anounce his name and stay in Austria, he will be dead. But he holds a most important clue that holds great importance to the welfare of Austria, and Strobel leaves him with a request: "Do something for Austria!"
He is a man without a country, a man who speaks with a slight accent, looks like an Englishman, and has chosen to live in the land of Liberty. He is a man who is tired of petty squabbles between kings and politicians, but he accepts Strobels request, and will do one thing for the country he forsook as a young man. Is he a king? Is he a commoner? Only he knows, the man called John Armitage.
Shirley and her military brother are continually unable to make him out, and become entagled in the complicated web in their Virginian home.
This book is superb in every line!:)

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this book. I think what I enjoyed more than the story was the fact that there were so many words I had to look up the definitions for! Reading a book as old as this one is always a pleasure as I'm taken back to the English language as it struggles to mark it's independence from British English. The story was rather intriguing as well, and I must say I did not expect the twist at the end as I myself spent most of the book asking the question, Who is John Armitage?

[Tina Stillabower · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an old book - written in 1907. I found it to be tricky to follow.

[Barbara Wellnitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story in a very different time. Happy to read an Indy native's work.

[Christine McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid adventure/romance. Set in 1903, it bridges European imperial intrigue with American characters and settings in the second part of the novel.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This narrative shows an uncanny insight in the potential volatility of the Balkan countries. The Port of Missing Men is a cloak and dagger story written a few years prior to World War I. Serbia plays a large role in this tale and the chance of a World War id hinted to. This isn’t the only prediction that will prove true. At the dawn of the 20th Century the American public opinion was very much isolationist. Even as war breaks out in Europe the United States wanted to stay out of it. The moment the country entered the war, their destiny changed and they took on the role of a world power. I sometimes found this story slightly melodramatic but it was easy to read and the story flowed nicely. This is my first introduction to the works of Meredith Nicholson but I wouldn’t shy away from another. I can recommend this book to all lovers of early 20th Century literature.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free on audio. A small bit of mystery. The hero spying on the villains and a couple other elements pulled this up from a 2 to the 3 I gave it. The book just had no punch. I really did not care for the female lead. Some parts of the book were slow moving. Not the worst, but not the best either. Just rather ho hum.

[Synthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The House of a Thousand Candles (same author) was much more intriguing, but this was fun enough for a simple read.

[Janice Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, intriguing story.

[Mario Faro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is John Armitage?
Mystery and romance in the Hills of Virginia.
I'm a publisher in Brazil and had published this romance in Portuguese. An amazing, fascinating and intriguim story.

[alibrivoxfan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a public domain audiobook version available here from LibriVox.

[Millie Chidester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one a second time after I learned the true identity of John Armitage. I really enjoyed this book!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

PRE WW11 STORY IN EUROPE AND US SHOWING HOW OR WHY WAR IS NEEDED SOMETIMES

[Tasha]

I kind of want to hit myself for finishing this one.