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Napoleonic Wars #2
Any Approaching Enemy
With the stunning high-seas adventure Sails on the Horizon, Jay Worrall introduced a bold new hero in the rousing tradition of Jack Aubrey: Charles Edgemont, an ambitious officer in His Britannic Majesty’s navy. Raised to the rank of captain for gallantry under fire, Edgemont proved his mettle in the bruising British victory over the Spanish fleet at the Battle of St. Vincent. Now married and in command of the twenty-eight-gun frigate Louisa, the young captain sails toward a day of destiny–for himself and for England.
The year is 1798. The war between England and revolutionary France has reached a bloody stalemate, with England in the ascendancy at sea and France unchallenged on the Continent, thanks in large part to an unorthodox twenty-eight-year-old general named Napoleon Bonaparte. But the French, secretly amassing a powerful fleet, mean to break the impasse.
When rumors of the French preparations leak, the Admiralty dispatches a squadron of seven ships–among them the Louisa–under the command of Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson to investigate. Blindsided by a storm of ferocious intensity, the ships scatter across the seas.
After the storm subsides, the damaged frigates limp back to the rendezvous point. But there is no sign of Nelson’s flagship, Vanguard, nor of two other ships of the line. Edgemont fears that the pugnacious rear admiral has pressed on with the mission.
Putting his career on the line by disobeying direct orders, Edgemont sets out in pursuit of Nelson and the French fleet on a treacherous voyage along the Tuscan coast. As tensions among the crew threaten to explode into open insubordination or worse, Edgemont makes an unexpected discovery in Naples that may seriously compromise his mission.
When the missing French fleet turns up off the shores of Egypt, conveying an army tens of thousands strong, Edgemont is suddenly thrown into a crisis of conscience. As circumstances grow dire and require heroic action, the fate of the crucial battle effectively lies in Edgemont’s hands–as does the course of history.
From the Hardcover edition.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 3, 2018
It has been awhile since I've read a good sea adventure and it was time to correct that. I've read this author before and he tells a fair tale so I picked up this book and it doesn't disappoint. While it isn't anything exceptional it is still a good addition to the Age of Fighting Sail genre and if you are a fan of this era then you should enjoy the voyage.
The story is about Capt. Charles Edgemont and the crew of the HMS Louisa during the early Napoleonic wars. This particular adventure also includes the captain’s Quaker wife Penny for a substantial portion of the book. Their story is primarily about rather mundane incidents aboard ship including conflicts with having women on board and also personnel issues with the officers. This part of the book may be found to be rather boring but there are a few moments when routine naval actions are engaged in and this does provide a welcome relief from what might otherwise be viewed as the domestic issues of shipboard life in the late 18th century British Navy. The book culminates with Nelson's Battle of the Nile which is a story fans of this genre have probably read many, many times I know that I have. The author, however, takes a little fictional license with the key incident of that battle and ends the book in a blaze of glory, pun intended. A good sea tale but nothing special.
The story is about Capt. Charles Edgemont and the crew of the HMS Louisa during the early Napoleonic wars. This particular adventure also includes the captain’s Quaker wife Penny for a substantial portion of the book. Their story is primarily about rather mundane incidents aboard ship including conflicts with having women on board and also personnel issues with the officers. This part of the book may be found to be rather boring but there are a few moments when routine naval actions are engaged in and this does provide a welcome relief from what might otherwise be viewed as the domestic issues of shipboard life in the late 18th century British Navy. The book culminates with Nelson's Battle of the Nile which is a story fans of this genre have probably read many, many times I know that I have. The author, however, takes a little fictional license with the key incident of that battle and ends the book in a blaze of glory, pun intended. A good sea tale but nothing special.
August 4, 2013
A disappointment. Instead of improving Worrall seemed to spend a lot of time working backstory. This book makes me miss and appreciate Patrick OBrian all the more. Worrall handles all the technicalities of a British man of war sailing ship from the eighteen hundreds. He is on top of the cultural details from the period, but falls short in that his story is pretty much limited to one central plot strand. Two if you count his personal life.
There is no Manturin to make his hero and his story a multi faceted gem. There is no music, no botany, no zoological novelties. No exploration.
This is an OK book, but the standard is so high in this genre all post OBrian writers appear to be midgets.
There is no Manturin to make his hero and his story a multi faceted gem. There is no music, no botany, no zoological novelties. No exploration.
This is an OK book, but the standard is so high in this genre all post OBrian writers appear to be midgets.
September 26, 2021
An enjoyable book with some pluses and more minuses. I really enjoyed book 1 so I decided to get this one. Captain Edgemont is captain of the small 28 gun frigate Louisa which is sent together with the brig Pylades to the Mediterranean.
Spoilers ahead:
I like this book because the writing is easy to read and follow, almost written like a young adult book. I generally like the characters and the action. There are two single ship actions in the beginning, a lot of sailing around and a lot of storm action, all of which are done well.
There is an interesting side story of Emma Hamilton and Nelson. Some other clones have also done this side story but I find this one the best, most easy to understand and the one that does the best job of explaining their relationship.
What I don't like:
Edgemont takes his wife and companion on to his ship. First of all I'm not even sure that is allowed. I'm sure someone on the King's service can't just take their wife with them. I think I've read about this but it must be very rare and perhaps needs permission.
Secondly, even if this was allowed it stretches belief that Edgemont would have done it. It's bad for discipline and dangerous for everyone, including the crew. And several times his wife tried to alter his decisions. It's just ridiculous. Someone else said this seems like a bad combination of CS Forester and Jane Austen, which I agree. About 20% of the book is romance, which I did not sign up to read.
Secondly Worrall writes a lot of other stuff which I don't think is permissible. I don't think Commander Bevan can just resign his commission like that. And Edgemont ignoring orders at will from senior captains or Nelson, that's the worst case of bad writing I've come across for a long time.
That last thing about the Battle of the Nile. Other Hornblower clones have inserted their characters into real life battles but this one about Edgemont leading 2 ships of the line behind the French line of battle is just laughable. I mean all of this stuff strains credulity. This is why I chose not to read the 3rd book in the series.
Anyway the summary of why I didn't really like this book is that the characters' actions in this book just don't make sense and don't seem realistic and there's too much romance.
Spoilers ahead:
I like this book because the writing is easy to read and follow, almost written like a young adult book. I generally like the characters and the action. There are two single ship actions in the beginning, a lot of sailing around and a lot of storm action, all of which are done well.
There is an interesting side story of Emma Hamilton and Nelson. Some other clones have also done this side story but I find this one the best, most easy to understand and the one that does the best job of explaining their relationship.
What I don't like:
Edgemont takes his wife and companion on to his ship. First of all I'm not even sure that is allowed. I'm sure someone on the King's service can't just take their wife with them. I think I've read about this but it must be very rare and perhaps needs permission.
Secondly, even if this was allowed it stretches belief that Edgemont would have done it. It's bad for discipline and dangerous for everyone, including the crew. And several times his wife tried to alter his decisions. It's just ridiculous. Someone else said this seems like a bad combination of CS Forester and Jane Austen, which I agree. About 20% of the book is romance, which I did not sign up to read.
Secondly Worrall writes a lot of other stuff which I don't think is permissible. I don't think Commander Bevan can just resign his commission like that. And Edgemont ignoring orders at will from senior captains or Nelson, that's the worst case of bad writing I've come across for a long time.
That last thing about the Battle of the Nile. Other Hornblower clones have inserted their characters into real life battles but this one about Edgemont leading 2 ships of the line behind the French line of battle is just laughable. I mean all of this stuff strains credulity. This is why I chose not to read the 3rd book in the series.
Anyway the summary of why I didn't really like this book is that the characters' actions in this book just don't make sense and don't seem realistic and there's too much romance.
January 16, 2022
I read the first book of the series and disliked it to the bone. I forgot it. I picked the second book and it was even worse. I got akward romance in naval setting bent to accommodate premise of having captain’s wife on the ship during the war. Obeying orders was something what hero didn’t unless it was order from his wife who was sticking her pretty nose in daily ship life. I masochistically finished the book in snail pace. Oh and main hero also showed finger to Lord Nelson’s orders because why not. And made it trough. Jack Aubrey cameon… why? Like why author put him in two pages with interaction with a hero.
Overall avoid. Pick something else.
Overall avoid. Pick something else.
Read
February 11, 2008An excellent book of his Majestey's Imperial Navy during the time of the Tyrant's hold on Europe.
April 13, 2023
A mixture of sea and domestic tales…sometimes together.
The second of a trilogy, this book combines thrilling sea action tied together with some domestic tales of the ship’s officers and their loved ones. There is a section that combines the two in what I think may be a somewhat unlikely fashion, but I’d need to do some more research on it before I’d be too critical.
The author weaves into the book some real-life characters and at least one fictional sea hero, which readers of maritime tales will find enjoyable.
A good series of maritime adventure that I look forward to continuing exploring.
The second of a trilogy, this book combines thrilling sea action tied together with some domestic tales of the ship’s officers and their loved ones. There is a section that combines the two in what I think may be a somewhat unlikely fashion, but I’d need to do some more research on it before I’d be too critical.
The author weaves into the book some real-life characters and at least one fictional sea hero, which readers of maritime tales will find enjoyable.
A good series of maritime adventure that I look forward to continuing exploring.
September 29, 2019
I stayed up all night because glimpse of distant sails could mean loud bloody battles or tense close chases. Wedding and funerals swings emotions to extremes. Fictional Captain Jack Aubrey big "bluff .. good-natured .. tall .. long blonde. .queue" ch 9 visits from his series. Smashing.
December 14, 2020
Well done
The book is the second in a series. This book moves along at a quicker pace and does an excellent job of weaving the battle of the Nile into the story. A very good read.
The book is the second in a series. This book moves along at a quicker pace and does an excellent job of weaving the battle of the Nile into the story. A very good read.
October 16, 2016
Just as good as the first in the series, "Sails on the Horizon," this seafaring novel from the turn of the eighteenth century features several cameos by Horatio Nelson and real battles between the British and French armadas from the vantage point of fictional protagonist, Captain Charles Edgemont. This tale again features his Quaker wife, Penny, his best friend Daniel Bevan, and former prostitute, Molly.
Much recommended because in and amongst the sea battles and seamanship talk are some great character studies and human interest stories with the aforementioned characters, and several more. Worrall deftly handles plot and character with a good balance of each.
Looking forward to the last in the series, "A Sea Unto Itself" ....
Much recommended because in and amongst the sea battles and seamanship talk are some great character studies and human interest stories with the aforementioned characters, and several more. Worrall deftly handles plot and character with a good balance of each.
Looking forward to the last in the series, "A Sea Unto Itself" ....
July 11, 2019
Great story. Read it in one setting.
March 15, 2021
Continues the story very well. A nice surprise visit along the way. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to book 3.
January 27, 2022
Great tale
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this latest of Edgerton,s escapades in the Mediterranean. Get ready for a rip roaring and at times tragic tale. Hard to put down.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this latest of Edgerton,s escapades in the Mediterranean. Get ready for a rip roaring and at times tragic tale. Hard to put down.
August 16, 2022
Really enjoying this series!
April 11, 2025
Better than the first
A great chance to sail along and vivid images of the terrors of a sea battle. Ready for the next voyage.
A great chance to sail along and vivid images of the terrors of a sea battle. Ready for the next voyage.
January 26, 2011
I thought that this book was a great sequel to Jay Worrall’s “Sails on the Horizon”. Edgemont is on the move again; sailing his frigate in search of Lord Nelson’s fleet. Along the way he finds his enemy; the French fleet at Alexandria. Eventually, he locates Nelson’s fleet and joins in the action to do battle with the French in one of the most famous sea battles: The Battle of the Nile. The author kept my interest with his writing of this historical period and he did it in such a way that I could understand just about everything he wrote.
If you have read the Hornblower series, I would think that you would enjoy “Approaching Enemy..”. Highly recommend.
If you have read the Hornblower series, I would think that you would enjoy “Approaching Enemy..”. Highly recommend.
August 16, 2007
An extremely satisfying follow-up to Sails on the Horizon. Emma Hamilton makes an appearance, Capri is not yet overrun with tourists, and Charles continues his quest to be a good captain. Love the appearance of Jack Aubrey--almost makes me want to try those, too. Worrall takes on some of the more serious aspects of warfare in this book, and Edgemont's Quaker influence(r) comes to the fore. Again, a wonderful addition to the genre.
Read
July 13, 2016For lovers of Horatio Hornblower, Jack Aubry,Thomas Kydd and Nicholas Ramage here is the next man in that famous lineage of courageous British sailing captains. Charles Edgemont is a worthy successor. His Quaker wife is as much a part of the story as is her husband, as they present differing temperaments that keep the reader engaged. For lovers of the old sailing navy and its exploits here is a great character in a his milieu. The novel is hard to put down.
April 21, 2010
I am wonderfully gratified that the second book in Jay Worrall's series starring Captain Charles Edgemont is even more delightful than the first. Please, please, please, let there be a third, a fourth, and many more volumes. This one was published in 2006. It's now 2010. What are we waiting for?
October 20, 2016
Excellent Read
Enjoyed this book beginning to end. Regretted having to put it down at the finish. Great story that brings to life the historic victory of Nelson at the sea battle fought at the mouth of the Nile. Hero's a plenty to cheer for!
Enjoyed this book beginning to end. Regretted having to put it down at the finish. Great story that brings to life the historic victory of Nelson at the sea battle fought at the mouth of the Nile. Hero's a plenty to cheer for!
January 16, 2021
The battering
An excellent portrayal of life and action in a fighting ship of Lord Nelson’s historical defeat of the French Mediterranean fleet
The author clearly describes both the intricacies of square riggers and the responsibilities and conflicts command
An excellent portrayal of life and action in a fighting ship of Lord Nelson’s historical defeat of the French Mediterranean fleet
The author clearly describes both the intricacies of square riggers and the responsibilities and conflicts command
January 7, 2008
My favorite of the Hornblower imitators.
December 22, 2008
The follow-up to Sails on the Horizon. Much in the Patrick O'Brian style, with the primary relationship being between a sea captain fighting Napolean and the sea captain's Quaker wife.
May 21, 2009
Good.
July 23, 2009
Good continuation from "Sails on the Horizon"
Look forward to an other one
Look forward to an other one
January 29, 2011
ok sea story of the hornblower genre. (he even has a cameo)
June 2, 2008
I really liked this book and am hoping that he will write more of them soon.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews