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John Pearce #1
By the Mast Divided
1793. Young firebrand John Pearce, on the run from the authorities, is illegally press-ganged from the Pelican tavern into brutal life aboard HMS Brilliant, a frigate on its way to war. In the first few days Pearce discovers the Navy is a world in which he can prosper. But he is not alone; he is drawn to a group of men who eventually form an exclusive gun crew, the Pelicans, with Pearce their elected leader.
Shipboard life is hard, brutal and dangerous. That anyone chooses it suggest that life ashore is worse. The Pelicans find solidarity in facing together the cruelty of their hard-nosed captain, Barclay, and the daily threat of bullying, flogging - even murder. The one light on the horizon is the captain's young, curvaceous wife, Emily.
During an action-packed two weeks, as HMS Brilliant chases a French privateer across the English Channel, this disparate group of men form friendships that will last a lifetime.
Shipboard life is hard, brutal and dangerous. That anyone chooses it suggest that life ashore is worse. The Pelicans find solidarity in facing together the cruelty of their hard-nosed captain, Barclay, and the daily threat of bullying, flogging - even murder. The one light on the horizon is the captain's young, curvaceous wife, Emily.
During an action-packed two weeks, as HMS Brilliant chases a French privateer across the English Channel, this disparate group of men form friendships that will last a lifetime.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
132 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
David Donachie
66 books63 followersaka 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 3, 2016
Great nautical history book and it was very interesting with all the different POV's. In particular I liked the perspective of the men who had been pressed. (In case you don't know, being pressed means the British Navy knocks you on the head, kidnaps you and says "hey congrats, you're a sailor now")
Highly recommended for fans of nautical fiction!
Highly recommended for fans of nautical fiction!
January 17, 2021
This book has been lingering on my bookshelf for quite some time, waiting for the moment when it’s pages would get turned.
That moment has finally happened due to me wanting some nautical fiction after getting hooked to the tv show Black Sails and video game Assassins Creed Black Flag. This however does not follow or contain pirates, just happens to be the only nautical book on my bookshelf. It does take place in the 18th Century/late 1700’s (compared to the piratical early 1800’s).
This is book one of what appears to be the long John Pearce series. It is historical fiction following John Pearce and the crew aboard the HMS Brilliant.
John and his small group get forced to join the navy (press ganged), and we see their struggles to adjust to life in the navy. John is an interesting and likeable character, a rogue that has issues with authority and seeks greater equality.
We don’t just get the story told from his perspective, but also from various supporting characters, a favourite being Michael - also part of the press ganged group. Plus we see events unfold from the perspective of the ships Captain Barclay. He made for an interesting antagonist, seeing things from his perspective helped flesh out his motives and decisions.
The book has a slow burn start that leads up to an action packed climax. For me though, the highlight of the book, after the characters, was the detailed descriptions throughout that helped build the world. The way scenes are described really draws you in and makes you feel like you are there. From sights smells of a crowded pub, to the salty sea said and whipping of the sails aboard the Brilliant. The book doesn’t view history through rose tinted glasses, in places it is fairly grim, especially in depictions of battle or life in general at the time.
There is a frequent use of nautical terms throughout the book, so you may find yourself having to research certain terms.
Overall this was great fun and scratched the nautical itch I had, however it does end on a cliffhanger. So I intend to read the next book to see what happens next. Now the characters are established there is hopefully a lot of potential for the next entry to be even better!
That moment has finally happened due to me wanting some nautical fiction after getting hooked to the tv show Black Sails and video game Assassins Creed Black Flag. This however does not follow or contain pirates, just happens to be the only nautical book on my bookshelf. It does take place in the 18th Century/late 1700’s (compared to the piratical early 1800’s).
This is book one of what appears to be the long John Pearce series. It is historical fiction following John Pearce and the crew aboard the HMS Brilliant.
John and his small group get forced to join the navy (press ganged), and we see their struggles to adjust to life in the navy. John is an interesting and likeable character, a rogue that has issues with authority and seeks greater equality.
We don’t just get the story told from his perspective, but also from various supporting characters, a favourite being Michael - also part of the press ganged group. Plus we see events unfold from the perspective of the ships Captain Barclay. He made for an interesting antagonist, seeing things from his perspective helped flesh out his motives and decisions.
The book has a slow burn start that leads up to an action packed climax. For me though, the highlight of the book, after the characters, was the detailed descriptions throughout that helped build the world. The way scenes are described really draws you in and makes you feel like you are there. From sights smells of a crowded pub, to the salty sea said and whipping of the sails aboard the Brilliant. The book doesn’t view history through rose tinted glasses, in places it is fairly grim, especially in depictions of battle or life in general at the time.
There is a frequent use of nautical terms throughout the book, so you may find yourself having to research certain terms.
Overall this was great fun and scratched the nautical itch I had, however it does end on a cliffhanger. So I intend to read the next book to see what happens next. Now the characters are established there is hopefully a lot of potential for the next entry to be even better!
December 5, 2023
Too long and too slow! Glacial pace. However, it’s quite informative on the administrative aspects of manning and running a warship. I can’t believe I actually finished it.
John Pearce, a man on the run, is impressed into the Royal Navy with some guys from a bar. He must be the most unlucky and cursed guy in England. At times this story is like a soap opera at sea. It takes until 1/3 of the book for them to put to sea. At the 57% the decks are cleared for action. Then it becomes readable and flows quickly to lots of action and still yet more treachery that has me signing on to read the next book. Horatio Nelson makes appearances and is quite the leadership contrast to Pearce’s captain.
John Pearce, a man on the run, is impressed into the Royal Navy with some guys from a bar. He must be the most unlucky and cursed guy in England. At times this story is like a soap opera at sea. It takes until 1/3 of the book for them to put to sea. At the 57% the decks are cleared for action. Then it becomes readable and flows quickly to lots of action and still yet more treachery that has me signing on to read the next book. Horatio Nelson makes appearances and is quite the leadership contrast to Pearce’s captain.
March 8, 2017
Great story, even for landlubbers.
I love seafaring tales, even though I wouldn't last ten minutes on one of Her Majesty's ships. The first of the John Pearce stories has me ready to read more. An engaging story, although it could have benefitted from some detail removal. Great fun.
I love seafaring tales, even though I wouldn't last ten minutes on one of Her Majesty's ships. The first of the John Pearce stories has me ready to read more. An engaging story, although it could have benefitted from some detail removal. Great fun.
March 18, 2018
Scottish historical novelist David Donachie has published, under his own name and two pen names, more than 30 books, most of which concern life aboard ship in the age of sail. His longest and most successful series is that concerning John Pearce, an illegally pressed or "recruited" seaman we meet in 2004's By the Mast Divided.
By law, Pearce could demonstrate that he is an educated man rather than a common laborer or criminal and be released from his service. But his association with the rebellious politics of his father makes him reluctant to identify himself publicly. Ralph Barclay, the captain who ordered the impressment of Pearce and his fellow "volunteers," did so illegally and so he is not inclined to let Pearce near any kind of authority that might have to take an interest in the captain's crimes. So Pearce is stuck, along with a group of men he had just met when the press-gang raided the tavern where they were. Barclay is also stuck, commanding a clumsy frigate with a clumsy crew on mere convoy escort duty. Whether or not such a slapdash collection can survive battle with the French, let alone triumph, is an open question.
Donachie offers a slightly different take on the Napoleonic sea novel than some of the other major series of the period. His lead character is an illegally pressed landsman who has to learn the ways of the sea, but he offers viewpoint passages from several other characters as well, including Captain Barclay. Rather than living up to his ship's name, HMS Brilliant, Barclay proves to be a barely competent captain, dreaming of far more glory than his modest strategic and tactical gifts will place within his reach.
Divided is an OK beginning for a series but still rather shaky. Donachie doesn't seem to trust his readers to figure many things out. For example, the book title refers to the division between officers and crew in the Royal Navy of the day, with the latter allowed aft of the mainmast only on specific duties. But rather than trust the reader to see that division explored in the narrative, he puts a rumination about it in Pearce's mind and connects it to his egalitarian political beliefs.
Also a problem is that few of the characters are all that likeable, and many of those are relatively minor. Pearce himself, though he proclaims convictions of the equality of all people, pretty clearly seems to hold himself superior to almost anyone he meets. It makes it harder to root for him, although since this is currently a 14-book series, it may be that Donachie intends to make him aware of the flaw and desirous of correcting it. Divided is by no means terrible and its flaws shouldn't prompt casting subsequent volumes aside, but it does set before them an awful lot of work to make the journey one a reader might want to take.
Original available here.
By law, Pearce could demonstrate that he is an educated man rather than a common laborer or criminal and be released from his service. But his association with the rebellious politics of his father makes him reluctant to identify himself publicly. Ralph Barclay, the captain who ordered the impressment of Pearce and his fellow "volunteers," did so illegally and so he is not inclined to let Pearce near any kind of authority that might have to take an interest in the captain's crimes. So Pearce is stuck, along with a group of men he had just met when the press-gang raided the tavern where they were. Barclay is also stuck, commanding a clumsy frigate with a clumsy crew on mere convoy escort duty. Whether or not such a slapdash collection can survive battle with the French, let alone triumph, is an open question.
Donachie offers a slightly different take on the Napoleonic sea novel than some of the other major series of the period. His lead character is an illegally pressed landsman who has to learn the ways of the sea, but he offers viewpoint passages from several other characters as well, including Captain Barclay. Rather than living up to his ship's name, HMS Brilliant, Barclay proves to be a barely competent captain, dreaming of far more glory than his modest strategic and tactical gifts will place within his reach.
Divided is an OK beginning for a series but still rather shaky. Donachie doesn't seem to trust his readers to figure many things out. For example, the book title refers to the division between officers and crew in the Royal Navy of the day, with the latter allowed aft of the mainmast only on specific duties. But rather than trust the reader to see that division explored in the narrative, he puts a rumination about it in Pearce's mind and connects it to his egalitarian political beliefs.
Also a problem is that few of the characters are all that likeable, and many of those are relatively minor. Pearce himself, though he proclaims convictions of the equality of all people, pretty clearly seems to hold himself superior to almost anyone he meets. It makes it harder to root for him, although since this is currently a 14-book series, it may be that Donachie intends to make him aware of the flaw and desirous of correcting it. Divided is by no means terrible and its flaws shouldn't prompt casting subsequent volumes aside, but it does set before them an awful lot of work to make the journey one a reader might want to take.
Original available here.
September 18, 2021
I decided not to finish this book at Chapter 5. Spoiler ahead:
The first reason is that I dislike alternating POV's. Just when I get on track reading about the pressed men and get vested into the story of John Pearce the book switches to that of Captain Barclay. Worse is that both storylines are miserable. I mean it's good in that I really felt the misery of getting pressed with nothing that Pearce could do. This is the first book that has put me mentally into such a depressing, final and terrible situation.
The POV of Barclay is just as bad. This guy has no influence (his patron admiral died), he has no money, he is a hard man seemingly without any redeeming qualities, his men or officers don't like him and he has no money. Furthermore, his very young wife is going on board with him. I've heard about this but this is the first time I'm reading a book about it.
We all live our lives vicariously when we read books and honestly this book is just too negative. I don't care for the captain and I don't want to keep reading about how miserable everything is. The series runs 15 books so surely it must get better. But the writing isn't great either. It isn't one of those books that flow easily. I have to concentrate to read it rather than having it flow naturally. Maybe I'll come back to it later, much later.
The first reason is that I dislike alternating POV's. Just when I get on track reading about the pressed men and get vested into the story of John Pearce the book switches to that of Captain Barclay. Worse is that both storylines are miserable. I mean it's good in that I really felt the misery of getting pressed with nothing that Pearce could do. This is the first book that has put me mentally into such a depressing, final and terrible situation.
The POV of Barclay is just as bad. This guy has no influence (his patron admiral died), he has no money, he is a hard man seemingly without any redeeming qualities, his men or officers don't like him and he has no money. Furthermore, his very young wife is going on board with him. I've heard about this but this is the first time I'm reading a book about it.
We all live our lives vicariously when we read books and honestly this book is just too negative. I don't care for the captain and I don't want to keep reading about how miserable everything is. The series runs 15 books so surely it must get better. But the writing isn't great either. It isn't one of those books that flow easily. I have to concentrate to read it rather than having it flow naturally. Maybe I'll come back to it later, much later.
April 18, 2019
Having recently completed Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, I found myself hankering for some more salt water adventure. While I loved O'Brian's depiction of Captain Aubrey - such an affable fellow - Donachie's mongrel Captain Barclay provides a completely different look at 18th century naval life.
Barclay's ship, the HMS Brilliant, is about as far from Aubrey's HMS Surprise as you can get. The crew are bullied and down trodden, their Captain not only incompetent, but so lacking in sense that he allows self obsession to influence his commands. Of course it all ends in tears.
This is a solid, enjoyable book, and while it may lack the depth and scope of O'Brian's epic series, it is a far easier read.
Barclay's ship, the HMS Brilliant, is about as far from Aubrey's HMS Surprise as you can get. The crew are bullied and down trodden, their Captain not only incompetent, but so lacking in sense that he allows self obsession to influence his commands. Of course it all ends in tears.
This is a solid, enjoyable book, and while it may lack the depth and scope of O'Brian's epic series, it is a far easier read.
January 21, 2018
I didn't hold out much hope that I was going to enjoy this - sea faring capers seemed more suited to my grandad than me - but I needed something to read and this was only a £1 so thought I may as well give it a go . . . and I'm so glad I did. It wasn't just a swashbuckling adventure (although there was plenty of that) but also a story about friendship and human nature with some socialist thinking thrown in. It was also an eye-opener to life in the British navy in the 18th Century, which was brutal and hard but unarguably interesting!
May 22, 2017
An Exceptional Story
The author has used his best writing skills and created a very interesting plot. His descriptions, dialogue, characters, and scenes put this story at the top of the list of great maritime fiction. There were few mistakes unlike many British authors who do not receive adequate proof reading for their work. I am looking forward to reading the sequels in this series.
The author has used his best writing skills and created a very interesting plot. His descriptions, dialogue, characters, and scenes put this story at the top of the list of great maritime fiction. There were few mistakes unlike many British authors who do not receive adequate proof reading for their work. I am looking forward to reading the sequels in this series.
August 7, 2024
This was definitely a departure from my usual reads, but I enjoyed it and will be on the lookout for the rest of the series. It's a bit slow at times and the amount of technical jargon can be overwhelming (a key or glossary would have helped greatly), but I truly felt like I was there on the ship. It's nice to read a book like this that doesn't sugar coat what it was like to be a sailor - it sounds miserable!
February 17, 2019
John Pearce is pressed with others from a pub onto the Pelican, learning clearly his education 'above' the mast gives him respect over regular crew.
Typos:
p 34 relived is relieved
p 104 peeked is peaked
p 146 mute point is moot point
p 262 that would finalised, is would be finalised,
p 349 lent over is bent over
Typos:
p 34 relived is relieved
p 104 peeked is peaked
p 146 mute point is moot point
p 262 that would finalised, is would be finalised,
p 349 lent over is bent over
June 22, 2017
An exciting start! Can't wait to start the next one.
November 24, 2017
If you enjoy this genre, you will be thoroughly entertained.
December 14, 2017
Slow start, but picks up
I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through the book while reading the first quarter, but it picked up and ended up being really good.
I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through the book while reading the first quarter, but it picked up and ended up being really good.
March 7, 2019
A very good seafaring story. I am always looking for stories like this.
September 30, 2019
Excellent. Onto the next one
October 20, 2020
I'm liking John Pearce he wants to be a rogue, but he has too much of a conscience. It is a fun little adventure.
November 15, 2020
First book in series. Set in 1780's with backdrop of French Revolution. Loved the setting of a ship.
October 20, 2023
I'm on the 14th book now. As far as nautical adventure novels go this is one of the better ones. It's not as good as the Aubrey-Maturin or Hornblower books but is better than Bolitho.
November 1, 2014
Donachie is a new author for me and this is book one in his series about the Royal Navy in 1793. The protagonist is John Pearce, who is press ganged into the Navy. He is placed on HMS Brilliant, a frigate on its way to war against the French. John forms friendships with a group of fellow press-ganged landlubbers. They form a gang called “The Pelican’s” with the aim to look out after each other. They are pressed enlisted men so are the lowest of the low aboard the ship. John shines as he uses his natural skills to help in whatever situation they are in and is a natural leader.
As the first book in a series I expected there would be more time spent on character building and back story. Donachie cleverly weaves these fictional characters into a true historical situation. There is action, the book bogs down at times but most often it is well paced. The book ends in a cliffhanger and sets up for book two. The story shows the harder side of the life of a gang press man at sea. The story is compelling and kept my attention. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. Peter Wickham does a good job narrating the story.
As the first book in a series I expected there would be more time spent on character building and back story. Donachie cleverly weaves these fictional characters into a true historical situation. There is action, the book bogs down at times but most often it is well paced. The book ends in a cliffhanger and sets up for book two. The story shows the harder side of the life of a gang press man at sea. The story is compelling and kept my attention. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. Peter Wickham does a good job narrating the story.
December 15, 2012
This was a book that pushed my ability to both find character "voice" and stayed located. In comparison with other books on this subject there seemed to be more pages devoted to character development than description of action or activity. Since my plan is to continue on and read the entire series I do not begrudge getting to know these people more thoroughly at the outset.
The dialog between characters in many cases is written using regional dialect and accents. It made for some difficult ready initially until I was able to finally acquire the needed phonetic skills. For any readers with less than complete familiarity with the layout and operation of an 18th century sailing vessel I would suggest having a resource within reach until the locations embed themselves. I acquired Stephaen Biesty's "Cross Sections: Man-Of-War".
The dialog between characters in many cases is written using regional dialect and accents. It made for some difficult ready initially until I was able to finally acquire the needed phonetic skills. For any readers with less than complete familiarity with the layout and operation of an 18th century sailing vessel I would suggest having a resource within reach until the locations embed themselves. I acquired Stephaen Biesty's "Cross Sections: Man-Of-War".
April 28, 2014
I have been spoiled by Patrick O'Brian perhaps, but DESPITE being very well grounded in the historical context of the Age of Sail, DESPITE lots of rather glorious shippiness - the only redeeming feature for me - I could not really enjoy this book. The writing is too forced and sometimes in dire need of a good editor. There is no humour in it. The characters are wooden, poorly sketched, too numerous, the whole work comes across as attempting to reach too high and falling flat on its face. It is too infeasible to inspire any kind of suspension of disbelief. The plot is predictable. I believe there are twenty something books in the series; I will read the second purely out of love of the Age of Sail, as I already have it, but doubt I will go to any pains to pick up the others.
June 12, 2012
A great sea-faring story.A fab blend of action, gentle plot development and interesting, in-depth characters with dashes of humour, some sad moments with historical elements. I also liked the way tasks and activities aboard ship (along with information around the Navy) was explained well, the reader learnt as Pearce did.It was left on a cliffhanger but not a major one. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading the rest of the series and getting embroiled in John Pearce's other adventures.
July 5, 2014
This book is a difficult read.
By the end of the book I like how the characters have been developed by I shudder to recall how many pages of overly detailed descriptions I've had to read. The author seems to think that every last person in the navy was against being there. No true smiles or laughter. Everyone is a failure at their jobs.
Perhaps it is historically accurate but it was not an enjoyable read. A quick scan of the series tells me that I don't want to continue to read it.
By the end of the book I like how the characters have been developed by I shudder to recall how many pages of overly detailed descriptions I've had to read. The author seems to think that every last person in the navy was against being there. No true smiles or laughter. Everyone is a failure at their jobs.
Perhaps it is historically accurate but it was not an enjoyable read. A quick scan of the series tells me that I don't want to continue to read it.
April 13, 2013
I found some aspects of this book disappointing, but the minute I'd finished reading it, I wanted to find out what happened next to the main character, John Pearce. Since I'd bought the first 3 books in this series from a book club offer, I decided to read on, and I wasn't disappointed by the sequel. So, if you've struggled with this one, I can recommend you persevere...
April 19, 2011
This book is about a group of people who have been illegally pressed ganged to work on board a ship.
I found this book really difficult to get into and really boring. I would not recommend this book.
I found this book really difficult to get into and really boring. I would not recommend this book.
November 17, 2011
cricket,cricket
Read
June 12, 2014A great read and a long one too. The detail is fascinating and absorbing.
August 18, 2016
Good nautical novel. As Forester's Hornblower, not as heavy as O'Brians' Jack Aubrey.
At one or two points in several books, a plot twist needs to be accepted. A bit unlikely but forgiveable.
At one or two points in several books, a plot twist needs to be accepted. A bit unlikely but forgiveable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews