Though not his best in the outstanding Sir John Fielding series, Alexander's ninth provides a lively view of British outrage and bafflement at the fractiousness of the American colonies as well as a rich portrait of crime and policing in 18th century London as the blind Bow Street Court magistrate Fielding oversees his Bow Street runners and investigates a murder/robbery with ominous political overtones. Young narrator Jeremy Proctor, Fielding's eyes and legs and increasingly mature assistant, tells the tale with verve, initiative, and wit, indulging in a little romance of his own along the way.

The case involves the theft of inflammatory letters and the collateral murder of a footman at the home of an arrogant British lord, secretary of state for the American colonies. Though Lord Hillsborough refuses to divulge the letters' contents, it's clear they connect with the rising colonial foment. Dinners with Samuel Johnson and Benjamin Franklin speed Fielding's cogitations while Jeremy scouts the back alleys and low taverns for the hired miscreants. The central mystery is a bit weak, but it hardly matters as Alexander brings history to life from the perspective of those making it and Jeremy continues to charm and provide the action, from disarming a mob to battling a ruthless assassin. Franklin appears in all his warts and brilliance and only the British aritsocracy comes off worse. Well-written, atmospheric and intirguing, the series continues to delight.

Most series go into a decline long before they reach the ninth installment. Not so with Bruce Alexander's wonderful creation. This latest volume is my personal favorite thus far. The characters and richness of period detail would be enough to make the books worth reading, even without the mystery plots. The characters have become like old friends. The books have an appeal much like Sherlock Holmes, which make you want to visit just for the atmosphere and interaction among the characters. Jeremy is back, but alas, he has outgrown his green coat. Sir John is as formidable and perceptive as always. Bruce Alexander has the ability to include actual historical figures (Ben Franklin in this case) without seeming contrived. Since the plot has already been summarized, I will only add that these books are worth buying--in hardback--because you will want to re-read them and pass them to friends. I hope this series continues, because I am hooked!

This series has replaced Anne Perry's series as my choice for the best historical detective fiction around. The mysteries are always tightly plotted and believable and the characters, from the stars to the supporting players, are intricately drawn and unforgettable. These books are just a tremendous reading experience.

In his first book of what hopefully will be a long series, James Fender has shown promise of being a timely and worthy successor to Patrick O'Brian. "The Private Revolution of Geoffrey Frost" builds gradually into a fascinating and entertaining account of the stirring rescue of American prisoners held under brutal conditions at an obscure port in Nova Scotia. Like O'Brian, his story is based on real events, but from an American perspective and during the Revolutionary War period. I can't wait until the next volume of the series appears.

After Hornblower and the O'Brian books, it's great to read a series from the American point of view. The hero, Geoffrey Frost, is suitably larger-than-life, but still an interesting character with doubts and worries. The author certainly seems to possess the requisite command of naval lore, and he keeps the action moving at a brisk and exciting pace. A wonderful balance of seafaring adventure and historical detail.

The first book of what will be a great historical and nautical fiction series.

The USS Albacore, preserved today at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is the prototype of the modern submarine in all respects except nuclear power. She served the US Navy as a floating test bed for numerous technological advances including the teardrop hull, single-stick control, and the towed sonar array, for nearly twenty years. This book is based on interviews with her captains, crew members, the engineers and scientists who conceived and designed her, and the shipyard workers who built her.

I brought my family to the memorial at the end of our vacation. We had a great a great time. I bought the book on impulse and was rewarded with a very interesting read.
I served on submarines (SSN-703 & SSBN 626B)and I think this is a very informative book. A must read for an submarine history buff.

I have been facinated with subs ever since reading about the Hunley in Clive Cussler's book Sea Hunters, so I was pleased to find the USS Albacore only 45 minutes away from my home. I have visited her on several occasions and have wanted to know about her history for some time. This book gave me just what I wanted! The photos are a great part of the book, especially the ones of her arrival in her final resting place in Portsmouth, along I-95 and Rt. 1.

This book is NOT out of stock, as it has been reprinted in 1988 and remains avaliable from Whalesback Books. For orders, call 202/333-2182.

This is a reprint of a book originally published in the 1930s, which describes with great sophistication the architecture of the many 18th century homes that dot the Piscataqua River valley, primarily in Portsmouth. At the time it was written, many of these homes were still occupied by descendants of the original owners, whereas now they are owned by non-profit organizations and are open to the public. It is enormously rewarding to compare the black and white pictures in the book with the houses as they are today. It also contains an introductory essay that gives a superb explanation of the evolution of domestic architecture from America's earliest settlements through the 18th century. As the book explains, Portsmouth, along with Newburyport, Annapolis, and Charleston, are unique among historic American cities because they prospered in the 18th century only to decline thereafter, thereby allowing their wonderful examples of Georgian and Federal/Adam architecture to be preserved. By way of contrast, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia grew so rapidly in the 19th century that most of their examples of this type of home were lost to the wrecker's ball.

This is volume two in this series, which is set during the American Revolution and features a licensed privateer named Geoffrey Frost. It is every bit as exciting as volume one. Frost is a larger than life hero: learned, brave, and honorable. The sea battles are exciting and there's even a (peaceful) encounter with the explorer Cook.

I didn't know much about the naval history of Hampton Roads until I picked up a copy of Alan Flanders's Bluejackets on the Elizabeth! He writes with the right amount of historiography-
the facts are there-but he also writes it in a very entertaining style. You literally fly along once you start and go back to the colonial era and the first development of Norfolk and Portsmouth as colonial ports. But Flanders takes you through the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War of 1845, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Cold War and even gets you to the latest war on Terrorism all within the scope of maritime lore within Hampton Roads. I really recommend this book for both the serious student and someone who wants something entertaining and fun. I learned a lot about Norfolk and Portsmouth. Bluejackets made me want to learn more and more. Charles Recter, Ph.D.

Delightfully preserved memoirs and photos of lives of medical pioneers long ago in the seacoast New Hampshire town of Portsmouth, the reader gleans a deep appreciation for the medical care we so often diss. As a nurse at the current Portsmouth Hospital, I loved reading about the roots of the hearty predecessors that made my job possible. The ledgers are fun to read with very different terminology than we now use.

Buy it now! Deserves Pulitzer Prize

The book tells the story of Alexander's et al design for the museum to house the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's ship raised from the sea. The design process was interesting and very consistent with previous works, and has not been executed yet. What was mind bending for me was the total rethink on money and construction budgeting. Like a Pattern Language the budget and the construction schedule become part of the Architect's services, not just something that has to be dealt with after everything has been drawn. Alexander proposed that his group would serve as the general contractor for the benefit of the project. The owner's payments would be slightly in advance of completed work, instead of crunching contractor's and subs time and money. The architects would have authority to reallocate time and money to make the building better, not the contractor's pockets fatter. All to make the building live!

It's a great, fast read... it's like I had a private tour of Portsmouth and the Carolina coast.

This was a great book and I have recommended it to all my friends. Held my interest throughout!!!.

Book was exciting from the beginning. Twist and turns kept you intrigued and on your toes. Very well written.