Fast-paced and fun, this is a pretty good choice for fans of the really GOOD wooden ships & iron men stories. Lambdin isn't technically much of a writer and characterization is minimal but the pace is great and the author not only really seems to know his Age of Sail history. The anti-hero aspects of Lewrie make a pleasant break from his rivals who are generally perfect. Not as much of the fun bawdy sex in this one as in King's Coat, but its a plus. Comparisons to Patrick O'Brien or even C.S. Forester are embarrassing and stupid--this stuff is fun to read but Mr. Lambdin falls well short of the master..

I love ship action stories, especially spiced with humor and romance. But this one, my first Lambdin, was almost impossible to read because of all the errors. if the author can't get straight the difference between lie and lay, at least the editors could hire a copyeditor! And all those weird dialog tags--people just don't shrug, spit, glare, or hiss dialog. Every one of those is like a needle in the eyes, throwing me right out of the story, and totally unnecessary. Ditto the mistakes in foreign languages--though those are more understandable than the juvenile errors in basic English. I won't buy any more of these new, only used, unless someone tells me the writer finally got acquainted with a basic grammar and style manual.

It is early 1782 and Desperate, 20 guns, having 'retreated gracefully' from the Yorktown debacle is now in train with Admiral Hood's fleet running down to the Caribbean. Unfortunately, the Frogs are chasing under the command of the wily de Grasse, who didn't get where he is by avoiding encounters.
The action starts soon enough and de Grasse exploits every possibility to bring the Rosbifs to task, but fails miserably, leaving Desperate to pick off a 28 shadowing a message schooner. In the aftermath of the battle, Alan Lewrie is appointed master of the prize. The result of Alan's actions is unexpected promotion into the brig Shrike, a Dutch-built 12, as 1st luff under a wily old sea-dog as mad as a hatter.
Alan can't keep his mouth shut or his breeches buttoned-up, which leads to some unfortunate and raunchy interludes, affecting his earlier career, and, it seems, his future.
Not a series for those new to the genre, or with no nautical knowledge, as there is not the untarred landsman colleague to explain the intricacies of naval terminology to, as in Aubrey & Maturin.
But ... the above- and below-decks descriptions are among the best I've read, although Mr. Lambdin does rather overdo the vernacular and accents a bit too much for fluid reading, however it does add an extra touch of reality.
Luck plays its part again in the aftermath of another debacle, this time to good effect as Lewrie meets Nelson and receives his second promotion in a year.
A raunchier series than most, but well worth reading.*****

While "Kings Captain" won't replace O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series for literary quality, it does rise towards the latter with its political intrigue. Lambdin has given the reader a fascinating look at what living conditions were like in England in 1797, and how they set the stage for the Royal Navy mutinies at Spithead and Nore. Newly promoted Captain Lewrie comes across as a younger, more earnest Jack Aubrey in this fine Napoleonic era yarn. Those who mourn O'Brian's passing and seek new naval adventures may not be disappointed at all in the latest installment in the Alan Lewrie naval adventure series.

Alan Lewrie, at the end of the last novel (Jester's Fortune), was withdrawing from the Adriatic as part of the British withdrawal from the Mediterranean in late 1796. This story skips forward and begins with the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in early 1797. Admiral Jervis is depicted out of character, praising Lewrie without promoting him. Jervis had the authority to promote officers he approved of and would have immediately done so if he approved of Lewrie. The real life Peter Puget received such a promotion from Jervis, even though he arrived after the battle (Puget was known from earlier accomplishments).

After a return to England to put the Jester into the dockyard, and a reconciliation between Lewrie and his father, the main part of this novel deals with the mutiny at the Nore after Lewrie is promoted and takes command of a frigate. He is confronted by an old enemy he cannot identify, and a crew split between mutineers and loyal men. The story contains little action at sea - when Lewrie is not on land, he is mainly aboard ship at anchor dealing with the mutineers. A side issue arises when someone writes a poison pen letter revealing Lewrie's past indiscretions. Overall, the novel is more about personalities than about naval action. It covers a relatively short period of time in 1797.

For novels more action-filled, covering the same time period (including the mutiny), the reader is referred to Richard Woodman's, "A King's Cutter," and C. Northcote Parkinson's, "The Fireship."

As a huge fan of this series, I was a bit disappointed in the last installment (Jester's Fortune) as I felt there was just not enough of the action or womanizing that made the first few novels so much fun. King's Captain also suffers a bit from this, but in place of the action we get to see Lewrie mature some. Rather than one novel after another in which the character stays the same but just rises in rank (which, considering how good the first books were, wouldn't be all that bad) Lambdin is showing Lewrie turning from his rakish former self into a family man, even if Alan does chafe a bit in the presence of his own children. I could wish for a bit more of the old ramcat in the future, but King's Captain did keep my interest, and I enjoyed seeing how Lewrie dealt with mutineers, and how he reacted to a bit of his past coming back to haunt him. Now that he's been made post, and has a new frigate to command, perhaps we will get to see Lewrie in a few more adventures that bring him the prize money he always seems to need.

The King of Dragons is a pretty exciting book about an eleven year old boy named Ian. His dad was a Veitnam Veteran. They are homeless so the live in an abandoned court house. One day Ian's dad leaves And doesn't come back. Ian has to survive on his own in hope of the returning of his father. Strangers come to the courthouse while Ian spies on them and listens to their plans of making a kite museum out of the courthouse. What will Ian do about these intruders. I thought that this book was kind of long and it was a little boring. I would recommend this book to someone who isn't really an action kind of person.

The King of Dragons is very cool. It's about a boy living in the Hall of Justice. He can't leave any traces. It was a very good book. Tons of details! Read it to find out more about it!

In Carol Fenner's book, King of Dragons, she does a wonderful job developing the personality of her young character, Ian. Ian is an innovative and intuitive character who's survival skills are intriging. While reading you will find yourself side by side with Ian as his adventure unravels in the abandoned Hall of Justice Building. Experience the joys, the frustrations, and fears of Ian in this realistic young adult novel. Once you begin reading this book, it is hard to put it down. Enjoy!

TO KILL A KING is The third installment of Caroline Rhodes, the first was "A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS " the second was, "SOMETHING WICKED IN THE AIR "

This was my first Caroline Rhodes mystery and at times I was lost when there was a mention of Rhineburg and things that happened there, That is why I feel that the books should be read in order.

Caroline gets a cry of help from her best friend Molly O'Neal, so Caroline returns to Ascension Medical Center to help her friend out. Caroline has no idea what she is getting herself into. Two days after Caroline arrives, Angela Horowitz is murdered in her apartment. A few days after that, there is another murder; this time Mac Guffy is found hanged in one of the emergency rooms. Molly is soon arrested, and Caroline will do what ever she can to clear her friends name.

TO KILL A KING is an expeditious, cheerful read that flows through in a timely manner. Best of all it is filled with credible, amiable characters. The author puts her nursing background to good use; she is able to get the hospital setting and politics that go along with the running of a hospital just right. Thanks Mary for an admirable read.

Pam Stone

I didn't think it possible for Mary V Welk to improve on her first 2 books---WAS I IN FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE! "To Kill A King" is the best one yet. It keeps you riveted from the first page to the last. I guarantee the clothes won't get laundered, meals won't get cooked and the kids will have to find rides to get to those outings. YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN! Caroline and the hospital crew are in for a very long haul, but they get help from surprising sources. The story and characters are great and you get a real look at the modern hospital and what these dedicated people are up against on a day to day basis. Can't wait for the next book of this marvelous series. This is my NO. 1 FAVORITE AUTHOR AND SERIES. I don't say this lightly as I am a voracious reader of this genre and very particular.

I loved Mary Welk's newest mystery. Filled with action and danger, it kept me guessing until the very end. I enjoyed the way sleuth Caroline Rhodes involved her family and friends in tracking down the killer. It was a fun read, filled with humor and suspense. Only a true nurse could describe the hospital scene and politics as Mary Welk has done. Marlis Day WHY JOHNNY DIED SterlingHouse Pub.Inc.

This is a badly written book -- horribly written book.

I have a keen interest in the Friar's Club and their infamous Roasts, otherwise I don't think I would have lasted five pages.

Mr Dougherty's style is excusable only if he was undergoing electric shock treatments DURING his writing sessions.

Apparently, the author is not much of a researcher either. It appears that a brief glance through a few of the club's souvenier programs qualifies one to write its history. But what the book lacks in fact and historical detail, it also lacks in humor.

If you make the mistake of buying this book, my first recommendation is to SKIP the awkwardly written history of the Friar's. For readers, it is nothing short of cruel and unsual punishment.

Jump directly to the Roasts (skipping ALL those designated as "Dinners," which are dull, dull, dull) and you will be amazed -- nay, shocked! -- at the absence of really good jokes. There may be ten in the entire book.

Unless you are just "bowled over" by the fact that celebrities actually "talk dirty," as Mr Dougherty describes it, or if you are fascinated with the thought of getting a glimpse of a celebrity from afar, as the syncophantic Mr Dougherty apparently is, you will find little else of value here.

As a lifelong fan of the Friar's Club it is regretable that because of Mr Dougherty's failed attempt, we will be waiting for several years before a competent writer decides to tackle the subject.

Have I made it clear? Barry Dougherty is a bad writer! Do yourself a favor, don't buy this book! That may be the best advice you'll get today, and it is a privilege to offer it to you.

What in the world did Bill Hayes read?? He acts as if he bought a Friars version of the Satanic Verses. After reading Dougherty's modest book, I must say I found Hayes' "review" oddly vindictive, not to mention off-base. His comments read more like the rantings of one with an ax to grind against the author, rather than anything remotely resembling a coherent review of an amusing book. Note to Mister Hayes.. Lighten up, fella.

This ain't Shakespeare, nor does it pretend to be The Final Word on the history of club. Why in the world does he think he "will be waiting several years" before someone else tackles the subject?? (Not that there seems to be a massive clamoring for more on the subject ... let's face it, this isn't a history of Civilization as we know it .. it's The Friars!)

The book, at last glance, is called The New York Friars Club Book of Dinners and Roasts, NOT "Barry Dougherty Tries To be Funny"..and it does indeed provide a compelling history of this unique NY club. Hayes' perception of Dougherty not having done his homework falls flat: the book I read is rife with tidbits, one-on-one interviews with quite a few Friars, and backroom anecdotes that seemed to entail more than a cursory glance at old "souvenir programs".

Folks, I don't know what all the hoo-hah is ... it's a good book: I got some laughs, learned something about this nutty institution, and I'll probably end up giving the book to someone else to read ... as for Mister Hayes .. me thinkst thou dost protest too much.

The only reason why I almost didn't give this five stars is that this wonderful book actually isn't just a collection of the funniest roast moments from the New York Friars Club. It is partially a HISTORY of various roasts through the years. Well-written and well-organized, from the standpoint of LOTS of zingers the fun truly begins about 75 pages into the book. Before that there are wonderful accounts of the early roasts but not a lot of jokes.

Not all of these laugh-out-loud (I mean REALLY laugh out loud) lines in this book are x-rated, but quite a few of them are. Dougherty also offers memories from some of the celebrity participants, which put some of the ribbing and behind the scenes stories (and egos) in focus. It's a GREAT approach...and it does work.

But don't expect a mere collection of jokes listed by subject -- the emphasis here is on a given roast and the participants. In fact, in the index you will find names of performers, not subjects. Roast victims included such names as Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Milton Berle, Frank Sinatra, Phillis Diller, John Travolta, Stephen Seagal, Drew Carey and many many more.

The three roasters who made me roar the most were comedians Milton Berle (he will be missed -- something about Berle was a running joke at the club for years), Red Buttons and Buddy Hacket.

I highlighted the jokes I liked as I read them so when I want a big (and guilty r-or-x-rated) laugh I can go back and re-read them. There were LOTS of markings in this book, and almost every line I marked is a winner. But be forewarned: this is not just a book of jokes and one-liners, but a fascinating history as well as a laugh-packed volume.

This is generally not considered one of the better plays of Aeschylus; yet, I did enjoy it, even though there is very little action. Perhaps it is because it dealt with a subject of contemporary interest to its original audience. In fact, it is the oldest surviving play based on an event of recent history. The play was first produced in 472 B. C., only eight years after the Battle of Salamis. The speech by the Messenger in the play is the earliest known historical account of that battle. The play takes place in the Persian court and simply presents the arrival of a messenger carrying the news of Persia's defeat and is followed by the entry of a disgraced Xerxes. This play also contains the earliest known appearance by a ghost in a drama.

"The Persians" is a minor work in the extant plays of Aeschylus, but has considerable historical if not dramatic significance. The play is the second and only remaining tragedy from a lost tetralogy that is based on the historical events of the Persians Wars. The play was performed in 472 B.C., eight years after the defeat of the invaders at the Battle of Salamis. The speech by the Messenger is assumed to be a fairly accurate description of the battle, but the focus of the play is on the downfall of the Persian Empire because of the folly of Xerxes. After the ghost of Darius, father of Xerxes and the leader of the first Persian invasion that was defeated at the Battle of Marathon laments the ruin of the great empire he had ruled, Xerxes offers similar histrionics concerning the destruction of his fleet.

The play is interesting because Aeschylus presents Xerxes, a foreign invader, as exhibiting the same sort of hubris that afflicts the greatest of mythological heroes in these Greek tragedies. Laud and honor is given the Athenians for defeating the Persians in battle, but Aeschylus surprisingly provides a look at the Persian king's culpability in the downfall of his empire. There is a reference in the play to the tradition that Xerxes was descended from Perseus (for whom the Persian race was therefore named), but even so it seems quite odd to turn him into a traditional Greek tragic hero. Aeschylus had fought the Persians at the Battles of Marathon and Salamis, which certainly lends authenticity to his description of events.

Aeschylus won the festival of Dionysus in 472 B.C. with the tetralogy of "Phineus," "The Persians," "Glaucus of Potniae," and the satyr play "Prometheus the Fire-Kindler." Phineas was the king who became the victim of the Harpies, while this particular Glaucus was the son of Sisyphus and the father of Bellerophon who was torn to pieces by his own mares. Consequently, this particular tetralogy clearly has the theme of kings brought down by their own folly. But even within that context, the fact that Aeschylus would write of a historical rather than legendary figure, not to mention a Persian rather than a Greek, remains more than a minor historical curiosity.

"Persians" deals with a people trying to exceed mortal limits. The king of persia blinds his people into believing they can accomplish deeds that exceed the laws of the divine and it's natural order. The king invades Greece despite bad omens. The people in Persia are told they are defeated by a messenger and mourn in mad disbelief. Searching for answers they summon the spirit of a once great king who cannot undo what has now been done. Persia's once proud army, security, and young sons are perished. This translation is excellent. The ending of the play through subject matter is sad enough, but the helpless lines delivered by King Xerxes and the chorus through dialogue toward each other at the end of the play is devastating.

When rating Shakespeare, I am comparing it to other Shakespeare. Otherwise, the consistent "5 Stars" wouldn't tell you much. So if you want to have this book rated as compared to the general selection of books in the world, it probably deserves five stars, certainly four. But as Shakespeare goes, in spite of being one of his best-known plays, it truly isn't one of the best.

Certainly, there are the bones of a fine plot here, but the play is very short and thus doesn't really give us the smooth development of plot and character that we usually see in Shakespeare. Nor, given how entirely unappealing the main character is, is it properly a tragedy when he dies; granted, one can consider it tragic that good King Duncan is killed, and Banquo as well, to say nothing of McDuff's family. But can a play in which the unequivocal "good guys" categorically win (and several of them even survive) be properly called a tragedy?

There are certain similarities between the plot (or at least, the theme) of this play and that of the novel "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky. If you liked that book, you may enjoy this play. If you like this play, you will probably enjoy that book (it is a much more in-depth character portrait). Granted, the issue of Kingship never comes into play in Dostoyevsky's work, but the concept of the effect a murder has on the murderer is there, and actually handled rather better.

Of course, being Shakespeare, there is much beautiful language to be found here, and as Shakepearean plays go, the language isn't too difficult for the modern reader; there are only a few places where the footnotes are absolutely essential to an understanding of what's been said. But truly, it is hard to really like this work, and while it can be interesting, it would have been better if it weren't so rushed.

a tragic story of death and betrail. A great play to watch, read, and perform. Read this play!

I'm an Alan King fan and have been for years. King IS King of Jewish and suburban humor. So yes ... Buy the book! It a must for any Jewish library. I also came across another book that surprised the heck out of me. A little giant called fittingly, A Little Joy, A LIttle Oy. It was a shock to see such a small book fill such big shoes. I also love anything by Rabbi Telushkin and, of course, the late Leo Rosten.

A huge Jewish lit fan!

I once read that, in addition to his unfortunate condition of porphyria, the mental effects of which became the basis for this screenplay, King George also had an anal fistula. Perhaps this explains his dyspeptic attitude toward the American colonies, since we were such a pain in the a__, and he already, as a result of the fistula, had plenty of them.

I also learned once that the French King, Louis XIV, used to hold court with his advisors and other notables while receiving his daily enema, thereby making him sort of a public "enema of the people." No wonder the French monarchy had so many problems.

It's amazing how much of history seems to relate to the proctological vagaries of its rulers. In George III's case, because of his unfortunate anal fistula, one could say it perhaps ultimately came down to a problem with the bottom of the man at the top.

The review given here by "A Reader" from Washington DC is virtually verbatim (only one word was omitted) from the blurb for this book as shown at QPB! I would assume that blurb came from either the publisher or the author, which means so did the review here! It appears that someone is padding the reviews! Oh, heavens! Is nothing sacred? What next, crooks buying pardons from outgoing presidents?

To confirm this you need to see it on QPB.com but you can't unless you're a member since they don't offer this book as a premium for joining.

"A Reader" (which is debatable) from Troy, New York" says, "Oh, heavens! Is nothing sacred? What next, crooks buying pardons from outgoing presidents?"...what in the world does this have to do with anything about a book about Robert the Bruce? It never ceases to amaze me the places that the dittoheads find to take a shot at the last legally elected POTUS (Bill Clinton.) Perhaps the "Reader" from Troy would prefer the current Commander in Thief's favorite book, "The Hungry Caterpillar" to a serious work of history.

Robert the Bruce was a legendary figure: a man who led his nation in victory and overcame odds to win power in Scotland. Packed with black and white and color photos and drawings is this survey of Robert the Bruce's life and times, presenting history in an attractive package which lends life and interest to the result.