Aubrey and Maturin at War with America, Summer 1813
***
Ah, to be back among old friends. The War of 1812 is underway. In The Fortunes of War, O'Brian continues his survey of all of the possible horrific things that can happen aboard a ship in the early 1800s. In this case, a fire. Here's a hint: a fire on a man-of-war is not good, and it's over quickly (usually with a bang). We have shipwreck survivors, trying to limp their way to shore, we have ill-fated attempts to 'go straight at them' in battle, as per Nelson.
A good portion of the book passes with our heroes as prisoners of war in Boston. They run afoul of French intelligence agents working with the Americans, and eventually stage an escape. They rendezvous with the HMS Shannon, a British frigate blockading Boston harbor. They are aboard for a showdown with the USS Chesapeake (June 1, 1813). The Shannon is successful in capturing the American vessel.
As I have come to know throughout this series, this book does not disappoint. Wonderful action, nice pacing, chock full of historical interest. Huzzah!
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