Rating: 
Summary: The Guardship
Review: As always, never judge a book by its cover. The cover art and the packaging suggest that this book is a work of literature, a monument to the times it depicts, both provocative and evocative. And the endorsement from O'Brien (whom I haven't read) encourages the hope of a literary masterpiece.Alas, The Guardship is none of these things. It's a potboiler; nothing more, nothing less. It is an entertaining if formulaic adventure story, with plenty of battles and sex. The writing is pedestrian, which would not even be worth commenting on except for O'Brien's endorsement. I found The Guardship to be a Saturday-matinee type book; fun to watch but not likely to make any significant impact.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant
Review: From reading other reviews it seems like you either love or hate this book - I'm in the former category.
A superb, flowing, writing style; subtle undercurrents flowing throughout the story; philosophical and moral stances; thrilling action sequences, worthy of O'Brien - but above all it shows Marlow to be human.
He is not your typical upright do-gooder - he has a murky past and a depatable present, but he has many redeeming features which encourage the reader to root for him in the challenges he encounters. His lady-love is not what she seems either, and there is a stunning volte-face in the climax of the book, which just begs you to buy the next volume - I did, as well as the other series... The story is well-researched, based on historical fact, but the main forte of the book is its believability - one can imagine the erstwhile pirate wanting to discard his past life and be assimilated into genteel society, but his past insists on haunting him - is this real-life drama, or what? I read it far too quickly - gets my *****
Rating:
Summary: A gripping story in a different setting!
Review: I stumbled across this book in my local library, having never heard of the author before. I was soon entranced by the terrific story in the unusual (for me) setting. I'm afraid, much as many writing experts feel that a great novel needs well rounded characters who develop with the story, give me some slightly more cardboard characters any day! Villianous villians, strong heroes, fiesty females ... all set in an exciting cliff-hanger story - these will hold my attention! To my way of thinking, the style of this book was akin to a sea-going version of my favourite Bernard Cornwall "Sharpe" series of books. I only wish that, down here far away from the Virginia Tidewater, our library stocked the many other titles that Nelson seems to have written! They already carry all the well-known British naval authors, so maybe a bit of arm-twisting will get them to add this American series!
Rating:
Summary: A gripping story in a different setting!
Review: I stumbled across this book in my local library, having never heard of the author before. I was soon entranced by the terrific story in the unusual (for me) setting. I'm afraid, much as many writing experts feel that a great novel needs well rounded characters who develop with the story, give me some slightly more cardboard characters any day! Villianous villians, strong heroes, fiesty females ... all set in an exciting cliff-hanger story - these will hold my attention! To my way of thinking, the style of this book was akin to a sea-going version of my favourite Bernard Cornwall "Sharpe" series of books. I only wish that, down here far away from the Virginia Tidewater, our library stocked the many other titles that Nelson seems to have written! They already carry all the well-known British naval authors, so maybe a bit of arm-twisting will get them to add this American series!
Rating: 
Summary: Yet again
Review: Just finished reading James Nelson's "The Guardship" and it's good to see that an heir to Patrick O'Brian has been found. It's got all the good salt and brine of any old sea tale combined with a set of new and fun characters, Guardship leaves me anxiously awaiting the next in the series. There are so many authors striving to be number one in the field of nautical fiction and while none will ever surpass the likes of O'Brian and Forester, Nelson comes so close.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: Nelson fails to show the perspective and depth of more seasoned authors. Compared to Forester, Reeman/Kent and O'brian, Nelson seems Disney-esque.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing historical reading
Review: Pirates, intrigue, romance, suspense, believable characters, American history, AND sailing. What more could a person want?? A departure from the norm of Marrayat, Lambdin, Pope, et al. - our hero isn't in the Royal Navy. Great shades of Martin Guerre, a no-body shows up in Virginia to settle down to a life of farming. Fickle Fate denies him, throwing him back to the Sea in defense of his newly chosen home. But ... now confronted with the potentially wonderful life he has found, will his past rise out of Neptune's deep to pull him back again? Obviously designed to allow for further installments, this stands alone without leaving you completely hanging at wit's end for what comes next, so that you can enjoy Nelson's other writings of the Revolutionary era.
Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Read!
Review: The Guardship is a great book! Fast paced and with a real feel for the time period, full of detail that gives it a tone of authenticity. The characters are recognizable humans, but are well clear of cliches. Some people have critized Nelson for not being Patrick O'Brian. Well, he's not. His books are much faster paced, more "page turners". To fault Nelson for not being O'Brian is like saying O'Brian is no good because he is not Melville. The Guardships stands well on its own and I look forward to the rest of the series. If you like a good sea story, you will love this book!
Rating:
Summary: The Bretheren of the Coast is Off to a Rousing Start!!
Review: The time is 1701. The place is Williamsburg, Virginia Colony. The month is April. Thomas Marlowe, recently arrived from England and the purchaser of the estate property of the late Joeseph Tinling, is attending a dance, all of which seems harmless enough, but events that transpire that night will set him on a path that will affect the lives of the community and the fortunes of many. Elizabeth Tinling, 23 and already two years a widow is in attendance at the dance and is being roughly pursued by Matthew Wilkenson, the younger of two brothers of one of the most powerful families in Viginia. In attempting to remove her from the unwanted advances of Wilkenson, an insult is hurled at Marlowe, the type of which in those days required "satisfaction." A duel is arranged. Wilkenson is shot dead and Marlowe's "respectable life" is turned upside down. Prior to the matter with Wilkenson and Elizabeth, the Governor has urged Marlowe to accept the captaincy of The Guardship, a decrepit English Man of War that is intended to guard colnial shipping from the pirates that prey along the coast. Her captain is a scoundrel who is loathe to put his men to action and who also has his hand in the cookie jar of the coastal trade. Marlowe assumes command by force and wonders if the prize is worth the keeping once he sees the condition of H.M.S. Plymouth Prize and the state of her crew. After repairs and drills, he manages to wage a suprize attack on a pirate stronghold which earns him great favor back home, except from the Wilkenson clan, who are bent on using their power and prestige to ruin Marlowe as well as Elizabeth. There are numerous memorable characters who populate this first book of a trilogy. Jean-Pierre LeRois is certainly high on the list. A quite mad pirate captain, he has decided to stake out the Chesapeake Bay area as his hunting ground which of necessity draws him into conflict with Marlowe and as that occurs, we learn that they know each other from another place in time. King James, an African slave was the property of James Tinling. When Marlowe acquired the Tinling property he freed the slaves and put them to work on the tobacco crop. King James was brought into the house to run it and was also given command of The Northumberland, Marlowe's private sloop. Throughout the remainder of the book, Marlowe has to deal with the plots of the Wilkenson's and the raiding of the pirate, Le Rois. In so doing he is tested as never before in his life and is also forced to confront who he was and who he has become. This is a powerful adventure story which will keep you turning pages, enjoying the tale and looking forward to the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: The Guardship
Review: This is an entertaining book, fast-moving once it gets under way; not what I'd call great literature, but a fun read. The Guardship is the story of Thomas Marlowe, a planter in eighteenth-century Virginia, who is trying to establish himself in colonial high society. Unknown to the people around him, he has a sinister past. When he's put in command of the ship intended to protect the colonists and their shipping from pirates, his past comes back to haunt him. The book starts a little slowly, but gains momentum fast; the plot is an exciting one with plenty to hold the reader's interest. There's nothing artistic about the writing style, but in places it is quite vivid. While the characters could have been better drawn, they were adequate, and I found myself caring about their fates. Setting is a weakness, though; one gets little idea of what the Chesapeake Bay landscapes and seascapes look like, nor does Nelson incorporate the kind of small, fascinating details of daily life, weaponry, and so on that really first-class historical fiction authors do. However, he's very good at pirates. His pirates are truly scary, and the pirates' leader, LeRois, is perhaps the best-characterized person in the book. I recommend this as a reasonably undemanding but entertaining book, comparable, in terms of plot and action, to some of Cornwell's work.
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