By Force of Arms

by James L. Nelson

Overview

From Simon & Schuster, By Force of Arms is James L. Nelson's powerful saga of the American Revolution and a stirring dramatic maritime adventure.

Fleeing the New England coast after foiling a British man-of-war's attempt to seize his cargo, merchant sea captain Isaac Biddlecomb finds himself in the middle of a brewing rebellion and at the mercy of a sadistic captain.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780671519247
Publisher:	Gallery Books
Publication date:	02/01/1996
Series:	Revolution at Sea Trilogy Series , #1
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	759,090
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

James L. Nelson is a native of Maine and a former professional square-rig sailor. He is the author of over fifteen books, including By Force of Arms, The Maddest Idea, The Continental Risque, and All the Brave Fellows. He lives in Maine with his wife and children, where he continues to write and maintain his involvement with traditional sail. Find out more at JamesLNelson.com.

What People are Saying About This

Nathan Miller

"Spoice is the main brace's to James L. Nelson and By Force of Arms. Failing in the wak of C. S. Forester, Nelson has done an excellent job of combining historical authencity with firm characterization and lively action....This is a fine yarn, deathly probe."

Patrick O'Brian

Authenticity runs throughout the book, carrying total conviction…Nelson writes with the eagerness of a young man sailing his first command.
— (Patrick O'Brian, author of the Aubrey/ Maturin series)

Editorial Reviews

The American Revolution has been well covered in fiction, but almost entirely as a land war-much as the War of 1812 has been treated virtually only as a naval war. By Force of Arms is the first book of a new series that will address the former shortcoming by following the career of Isaac Biddlecomb, a merchant seaman who has risen from the forecastle to the command of a vessel at the opening of the story. Biddlecomb isn't a natural-born hero at home in a hail of grape in the tradition of Hornblower or Aubrey. He is an ordinary American living in an extraordinary time, and Nelson, who has sailed aboard the modern reconstruction of the Revolutionary-period frigate H.M.S. Rose, makes clever use of this device to explain issues of the war and man-of-war life to the reader in unobtrusive fashion. Nelson's seagoing experience is evident in his clear, convincing description of the sailing. His dialogue, however, lacks the period feel of O'Brian and Forester-several times denizens of both the quarterdeck and the forecastle indicate assent with "Okay," which didn't degrade the vernacular for another century. Biddlecomb's sidekick is Ezra Rumstick, part-time patriot, part-time smuggler, full-time friend, and his nemesis is Captain James Wallace, the thoroughly professional commander of the Rose. The characters are strong and realistic, the plot and action believable and brisk, if none too complex, and readers will care enough about Biddlecomb's welfare to reach for Nelson's second installment. On the whole, an engaging start to what promises to be a fine adventure series in a neglected milieu. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly