What do you think?
Rate this book
At Home and at Sea #2
A Continuing War: At Home and at Sea: 1803-1804
Captain Sir Richard Giles is now married to the former Daphne Moorhouse, but the demands of war take him to sea almost at once. His frigate is engaged in harassing French preparations for invasion, dealing with privateers, contending with the influence system in naval establishments and being peripherally engaged in espionage activities. Meanwhile Daphne is fully occupied managing her husband's and father's estates and taking her new role as the wife of a major member of the landed gentry and as the doyenne of a great house. Fox hunting becomes a major preoccupation for Daphne while concerns about getting more satisfactory situations for her not very welcome relatives get her scheming to arrange satisfactory marriages for them. Only at rare intervals do the two principals get together to share their lives and interests.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2017
136 people are currently reading
22 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 11, 2017
A look into the lives of the gentry during the Napoleonic wars, April 11, 2017
This review is from: A Continuing War: At Home and at Sea: 1803-1804 (Kindle Edition)
Captain Giles and his new bride, Daphne have little time together as Giles must again go to war. The captain's coxswain, Carstairs, has asked Daphne's maid, Elsie, to marry him, so both women are concerned at the departure of their frigate. The action continues both at sea and on the estate. Mr. Cragg further explores the lives and lifestyles of the English gentry while revealing just a bit of the lives of their servants. Fox hunting, horses and the marriage prospects of Giles' half sister and two nieces figure prominently in this volume.
In writing this review, I find that I remember more about the activities on the estate than I do about those at sea. Captain Giles takes his frigate Impetuous into harms way with an unsatisfactory second lieutenant, a situation which resolves itself in combat. Giles continues to be fortunate in taking prizes. One brig proves to be particularly valuable to England as she is sailing against both the French and the English. Her captain is engaged in espionage against Britain which leads Giles a little ways into that shadowy world.
This second volume of the adventures of Lord and Lady Giles and their family, friends and associates continues to be very well written with plenty of interest and excitement on land and sea. I hope that there is more to come.
This review is from: A Continuing War: At Home and at Sea: 1803-1804 (Kindle Edition)
Captain Giles and his new bride, Daphne have little time together as Giles must again go to war. The captain's coxswain, Carstairs, has asked Daphne's maid, Elsie, to marry him, so both women are concerned at the departure of their frigate. The action continues both at sea and on the estate. Mr. Cragg further explores the lives and lifestyles of the English gentry while revealing just a bit of the lives of their servants. Fox hunting, horses and the marriage prospects of Giles' half sister and two nieces figure prominently in this volume.
In writing this review, I find that I remember more about the activities on the estate than I do about those at sea. Captain Giles takes his frigate Impetuous into harms way with an unsatisfactory second lieutenant, a situation which resolves itself in combat. Giles continues to be fortunate in taking prizes. One brig proves to be particularly valuable to England as she is sailing against both the French and the English. Her captain is engaged in espionage against Britain which leads Giles a little ways into that shadowy world.
This second volume of the adventures of Lord and Lady Giles and their family, friends and associates continues to be very well written with plenty of interest and excitement on land and sea. I hope that there is more to come.
September 27, 2024
Good story as long as you look pass the mistakes
I read.the 1st 2 books back to back and I enjoy the story. The thing that annoys me is that the author can't keep the lesser characters' names straight. It threw me the first couple times that a new name comes up and then continues with original names. Example: Mrs Sandforth to Stanford and back again in one paragraph. Kirkpatrick vs Kirkwood to name just a couple. Fix those things like.maybe have an editor to review. Other than that I will continue to read next one.
I read.the 1st 2 books back to back and I enjoy the story. The thing that annoys me is that the author can't keep the lesser characters' names straight. It threw me the first couple times that a new name comes up and then continues with original names. Example: Mrs Sandforth to Stanford and back again in one paragraph. Kirkpatrick vs Kirkwood to name just a couple. Fix those things like.maybe have an editor to review. Other than that I will continue to read next one.
February 22, 2020
Good read
A very worthwhile read. Marred by the non-removal of the editing and proofreader's comments.
The story covers the working and domestic lives of both Captain Sir Richard Giles and of his wife, Lady Phoebe. Captain Giles seems to spend a great deal of time ashore though there is a reasonable mix of naval work, battles and non- naval affairs that make the hero a, somehow, more rounded individual than is generally the case with this genre of stories.
A very worthwhile read. Marred by the non-removal of the editing and proofreader's comments.
The story covers the working and domestic lives of both Captain Sir Richard Giles and of his wife, Lady Phoebe. Captain Giles seems to spend a great deal of time ashore though there is a reasonable mix of naval work, battles and non- naval affairs that make the hero a, somehow, more rounded individual than is generally the case with this genre of stories.
August 6, 2017
English class structure
A decent story line that emphasized the various people class structure of that time period. Most accounts of the sailing vessels captain and crews of that time were not as well mannered as in this novel.
A decent story line that emphasized the various people class structure of that time period. Most accounts of the sailing vessels captain and crews of that time were not as well mannered as in this novel.
September 28, 2022
Nice segue
I enjoyed the second book as much as the first it moved the story along very smoothly. I would recommend this book to any of my friends it would be liked by men as well as women.
I enjoyed the second book as much as the first it moved the story along very smoothly. I would recommend this book to any of my friends it would be liked by men as well as women.
April 14, 2023
An easy enjoyable read.
I've read the first two books in the series and so far this is a good way to pass a quiet evening. The alternating settings are refreshing and I enjoy seeing them gradually intersect in the story line.
I've read the first two books in the series and so far this is a good way to pass a quiet evening. The alternating settings are refreshing and I enjoy seeing them gradually intersect in the story line.
July 10, 2017
Excellent
I look forward to the next book in the series. The characters are well developed and the story moves avoid pace.
I look forward to the next book in the series. The characters are well developed and the story moves avoid pace.
October 2, 2017
Great job
The author gives the full life of the naval hero, and does a great job with character development. Look forward to reading more of his works
The author gives the full life of the naval hero, and does a great job with character development. Look forward to reading more of his works
December 13, 2020
A good read. Proof reading was poor.
March 30, 2022
Good read
Again the characters are interesting and believable. The story mixes adventure and estate life. Must be nice to be rich.
Again the characters are interesting and believable. The story mixes adventure and estate life. Must be nice to be rich.
October 4, 2024
Too much at home
I bought these books because I wanted to read about naval action -- not the goings-on at an English country house.
I bought these books because I wanted to read about naval action -- not the goings-on at an English country house.
October 22, 2024
war and peace
Really getting into this twin linked story of home and war can’t wait to start the next chapter in this saga
Really getting into this twin linked story of home and war can’t wait to start the next chapter in this saga
September 17, 2024
Another good book in this excellent new series. Alternating chapters enable us to follow Daphne and the Captain as they improve the estate and battle the French. One captivating episode occurs when Daphne finds herself pregnant. Raised by her single father, she was much loved but clueless about all things maternal.
April 11, 2017
I like this series so far. I think it is a great start. The mix of naval and domestic life took some time to grow on me, but I now enjoy both sides equally as well with the addition of horse breeding and hunting. There were still some rough edges though. I have never heard of foddering a ship, even the glossary calls it fodder. I know that Jack Aubrey and many others have fothered their ships with some success. In some places Lt. Kirkpatrick turns into Kirkwood. Although Admiral Gardiner Does not expect Giles back anytime soon, he has already sent Captain Blenkensop of Mithradates to rendezvous with him off Skagerrak in two weeks time. Captain Blenkensop of Midas is also appointed to Medusa in the same chapter. Can there be more than one Blenkensop on station? Admiral Gardiner also calls Captain Giles, Captain Bush instead at about this point. Maybe the Admiral does not have all of his witts about him and the author neglected to mention this. Speaking of Captain Bush, where did he go? I do not remember him or Perseus mentioned after being detailed to harass French landing craft. I thought we would at least get a report of his doings at the end he was a lead character in the first book. The book has some quirks, but I liked it very much.
April 23, 2017
Another Good Story
Sir Richard's story continues with exciting battle scenes and a realistic plot. The descriptions and dialogue are well-defined and the second level of plot carries the story well.
Sir Richard's story continues with exciting battle scenes and a realistic plot. The descriptions and dialogue are well-defined and the second level of plot carries the story well.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews