A Voice from the Main Deck: Being a Record of the Thirty Years' Adventures of Samuel Leech (Classics of Naval Literature)

Rating:
Summary: A Voice from the Main Deck
Review: Anyone who enjoys Patrick O'Brian's novels, the Hornblower series, or the like, will be fascinated by this true-life autobiography that reads like a novel. Leech joined the Royal Navy at age 12, and was in the crew of the Macedonian when she was captured by the frigate United States during the War of 1812; his account of that battle is worth the price of the book all by itself. This book was a best-seller a century and a half ago and ought to be one again today. The fine intros add that much more, and the Naval Institute's "Classics" format makes a solid, handsome volume. (Disclaimer: I edited one of the early volumes in the series myself-- but this is an unsolicited testimonial; the book is a good read.)

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT Voice from the Main Deck
Review: This is an amazing account of the true life story of Samuel Leech's 30 years as a Seaman during the 1800's. He takes you through the first stage of a sailors life before joining the Navy (much like today: filled with hope of the 'sailors life' to only be disappointed later) to being the new kid on board, to learning the life as a sailor and gaining the respect of others on board. He takes you with him on board his first ship, the HMS Macedonian; to port visits in Spain and Portugal, to the bore of blockading French ports, and to a fierce battle with the US frigate United States in the War of 1812. He is later taken POW of the US; only to later serve in the US navy. He helps prove how life really was onboard a ship during this time period and enabling the reader to discover what 'sea stories' had truth behind them. It is a great testamony to sailors of all centuries that life of a sailor is not what is hoped for before joining, and it what and how the sailor makes of it. Must read for a history guru of the eaily 1800's or of Man O' Wars books.

Rating:
Summary: more of cranky rant than a memoir
Review: This short book is mostly composed of self righteous lectures about how to improve the world or one's own life. There is very little detail or anecdote. I believe only a die hard fan of the sailing era could derive any value from this.

Rating:
Summary: more of cranky rant than a memoir
Review: This short book is mostly composed of self righteous lectures about how to improve the world or one's own life. There is very little detail or anecdote. I believe only a die hard fan of the sailing era could derive any value from this.