Cappy Ricks: The Subjugation of Matt Peasley

by Peter B. Kyne

The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Shipping companies (Marine transportation); San Francisco; Fiction / Action

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1915

About the author

Peter Bernard Kyne was an American novelist who wrote between 1904 and 1940. Many of his works were adapted into screenplays starting in the silent era, particularly his first novel, The Three Godfathers, which was published in 1913 and proved to be a huge success. He is credited in 110 films between 1914 and 1952.

When still under 18, he lied about his age and enlisted in Company L, 14th U.S. Infantry, which served in the Philippines from 1898-1899. The Spanish-American War and the following insurrection of General Emilio Aguinaldo provided background for many of Kyne's later stories.[1] During World War I, he served as a captain in Battery A of the 144th field Artillery, known as the California Grizzlies.

Reviews

[Hannah Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightful, though some parts were rather difficult for me to understand what was going on. A lot of business information that that went over my head. But there was a lot of humor too and it was well written. Just a great read. However, this is not a Christian piece of literature, so there is some cussing. If that bothers you, this may not be a book for you.

[Toni Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

In continuing my effort to read some of the bestselling authors of the last 100 years, I came to Peter B. Kyne, and although I do not have a copy of 1920s Kindred of the Dust, I did find Cappy Ricks on my shelves.

It is the story of how a young mariner, Matt Peasley, tries to outwit the owner of the Blue Star Navigation Company, Cappy Ricks.

It is remarkably witty in its antics and plot. It is also disappointingly racist and demeaning to a wide variety of ethnic groups. Cringingly so.

I hope to someday get a chance to read other works by this author, but this one was just okay for me. I felt it went on a bit too long and glossed over the events, like the wedding, that the antics were meant to be leading up to. Poor Flossy took a very minor side seat as a character in the end.

3 stars for me.

[Jonathan Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read, Reread and worth reading again.

I grew up reading old books my Grandmother, Mother and Uncles owned. I had to research and understand shipping and the logging trad in an earlier time when there were still vast forests to log in America. I learned about a different time in history and styles and manners we no longer see. So these old books taught some aspects of history that can’t be learned in history books. It broadened my horizons in ways I could not have imagined.

[Vicki Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time putting this good old-fashioned humour/adventure novel down. And of course Matt gets the girl. I fell in love with Cappy Ricks and his jargon too. This one is right up there with Kindred of the Dust and Valley of the Giants.

[Sarah Dang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining, fast-paced read.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most undeservedly unknown books I have ever come across. A cast of eccentric characters interact hilariously with pressing commercial imperatives on merchant ships with a twist per minute and laughs out loud even more often. I read this in 2005 and still think about it. Penguin would make a fortune republishing it.

[Anna Dirks · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book out loud while traveling over the last couple months. It was a laugh out loud sort of book!