The Admirals' Game

John Pearce #5

by David Donachie

Since being illegally press-ganged into joining King George’s Navy, John Pearce has overcome numerous adversaries, which have secured him a position of command on board HMS Faron. Having successfully overcome the French at the Siege of Toulon, Pearce and his comrades, the Pelicans, now face the on-going, bloody battle to defend the port. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Pearce’s continuing conflict with Captain Ralph Barclay, the man responsible for press-ganging Pearce and his companions into the Navy, intensifies as Barclay faces a court martial for his actions. But with Barclay’s superiors, Admiral Lord Hood and Admiral Hotham, in dispute over how to deal with Barclay’s misgivings and with his wife, Emily, struggling to cope with his barbarous nature, Barclay’s future looks uncertain. Pearce’s hope for retribution may occur sooner than he anticipated, but would it be to his advantage? As Pearce confronts assaults from both the French and his superiors, it becomes clear that Pearce and his comrades are part of a large and potentially fatal plan, where war becomes a calculated game to be won.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Military Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Nautical

318 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2008

About the author

aka Tom Connery, Johnny 'Two Combs' Howard, Jack Ludlow, Jack Cole.

David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the John Pearce Pelican series. Please note you should read this series in order as each book builds on the next.

The series is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution in 1794. We learned in prior books that Pearce and a group of men from the Pelican Pub was gang pressed into the Royal Navy by Captain Ralph Barclay. Pearce and the Pelican claim to have been illegally seized in an area that was off limits to press gangs. Pearce due to his ability and bravery was appointed a lieutenant by the King which caused some hostility from officers who have worked their way up the ranks. In this story the British are starting to lose the battle for Toulon as a new commander has taken over the French artillery. Hurrah! I knew Napoleon would be showing up in this battle.

Pearce’s main assignment in this book is to take a message to Naples, an Italian State ruled by Spanish Bourbons with a Hapsburg Queen (sister of Marie Antoinette), to seek assistance to help the British and the French Royalist hold Toulon.

As with the prior episodes in the series we have feuding senior naval officers’ striving for political sponsorship and battle honor. Each naval battle is well written and gripping to read. The historical detail is accurate and makes the story absorbing and exciting to read. Donachie’s ability to write realistic and historically accurate naval battle is improving with each book. He is becoming to naval battles what Bernard Cornwell is to land battle scenes. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Peter Wickham narrated the book.

[Brett Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up from a caravan park laundry on little more than the strength of feeling like reading something shippy, and the book having quite a nice shippy cover.

So it was with middling expectations that I was pleasantly surprised. Well written historical fiction which nicely balances drama with factoids for the nautical nerd. Unfortunately it also happens to be the fifth book in a series. Picking up books 1-4 is going to take some heavy laundry stalking.

[Herman Dirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing really happens. In anime we would say a filler episode. Pearce does some sailing around. Barclay gets shot. and the admirals still play their chess.

A bit lik C.S Forester's Flying Colours.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 5th book in series. Not so much centered on the original main character. In fact, some of the other characters more interesting. Some of the subplots feel like 'padding out' so tend to slow the pace.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much action and adventure as the last books

[Andrew Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did try to keep with the series after struggling with A Flag of Truce. Unfortunately i just could not get to like Pearce so i have abandoned the series.

[P.D.R. Lindsay]

A rollicking naval adventure, well written, nice tight plot and interesting heroes and villains. It is 1794 and Lieutenant John Pearce has to save his friends the 'Pelicans' yet again and avoid problems with the rival admirals.

Anyone who like naval stories and excitement at sea in sailing ships will enjoy this book..

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liking this series, very enjoyable.