A Fine Tops'l Breeze (War of 1812 Trilogy, Volume 2)

Rating:
Summary: A passably good tale
Review: This is the second novel in a trilogy. The main problem I have with this novel is the continual jumping back and forth between scenes of action, sometimes without finishing action in progress. The author still seems to have a problem writing characters out of situations he has written them into. He also sometimes has a tendency to write with an echo, repeating information he has already provided.

Overall, it is a somewhat interesting tale, covering about a year's time from late 1812 to late 1813 during the earlier stages of the War of 1812. It involves action in North American waters aboard both privateers and U.S. Navy frigates, and some interesting aspects of that time period, including the active trade between New England and Canada while the countries were at war.

The author has a tendency to write characters out of the plot by noting that they were killed in the last battle, although the action itself may or may not be included. Casualties in naval service were very high from battles, accidents (including shipwrecks), and disease. It is unlikely, however, that privateers would have fought with each other as there was little profit in that. C. Northcote Parkinson, in his novel "Devil to Pay," describes the attitude of privateers in regard to profit. Privateers and smugglers gave their first loyalty to money.

On an historical note, the War of 1812 was a war that should not have been fought. Issues between the countries had been resolved at meetings in London, and dispatches were sent to the American government. Before the dispatches arrived, the hawks in the U.S. Congress prevailed in passing a Declaration of War. The war resulted in a large number of deaths and disabilities, and substantial losses to commerce and property. The U.S. gained nothing of any substance. That lesson seems to have been lost by later generations.

The autobiography of Charles Tyng, "Before the Wind," starts at the end of the war and documents the re-emergence of U.S. maritime commerce following the war.

Rating:
Summary: A passably good tale
Review: This is the second novel in a trilogy. The main problem I have with this novel is the continual jumping back and forth between scenes of action, sometimes without finishing action in progress. The author still seems to have a problem writing characters out of situations he has written them into. He also sometimes has a tendency to write with an echo, repeating information he has already provided.

Overall, it is a somewhat interesting tale, covering about a year's time from late 1812 to late 1813 during the earlier stages of the War of 1812. It involves action in North American waters aboard both privateers and U.S. Navy frigates, and some interesting aspects of that time period, including the active trade between New England and Canada while the countries were at war.

The author has a tendency to write characters out of the plot by noting that they were killed in the last battle, although the action itself may or may not be included. Casualties in naval service were very high from battles, accidents (including shipwrecks), and disease. It is unlikely, however, that privateers would have fought with each other as there was little profit in that. C. Northcote Parkinson, in his novel "Devil to Pay," describes the attitude of privateers in regard to profit. Privateers and smugglers gave their first loyalty to money.

On an historical note, the War of 1812 was a war that should not have been fought. Issues between the countries had been resolved at meetings in London, and dispatches were sent to the American government. Before the dispatches arrived, the hawks in the U.S. Congress prevailed in passing a Declaration of War. The war resulted in a large number of deaths and disabilities, and substantial losses to commerce and property. The U.S. gained nothing of any substance. That lesson seems to have been lost by later generations.

The autobiography of Charles Tyng, "Before the Wind," starts at the end of the war and documents the re-emergence of U.S. maritime commerce following the war.

Rating:
Summary: Even better than the first one!!
Review: White's second volume in the War of 1812 Trilogy is superb! The action as we follow Isaac Biggs and his shipmates raiding British shipping in the Winter North Atlantic is great and the simultaneous action on USS Constellation with Jack Clements as they try to get to sea from Baltimore gives some insight to the problems experienced by the US Navy in this war. I was right there as the British stormed aboard the USS Chesapeake on June 1 1813 and accompanied the American survivors to Melville Island prison in Halifax. The concluding action which brings Isaac and his Navy mates back together is excellent. It will be hard to wait until Fall for the third and final volume. An outstanding read for all maritime history buffs.