The Friendly Sea (The Duty and Destiny Series Book 1)

The book itself was well written and enjoyable. It is my second exposure to this author and, while I like the writing, I detest the marketing strategy which is not unlike that of a drug pusher dealing with a youngster. The first book in a series is made available either for free or for a very low price; that is to get you "hooked" the remaining volumes in the series are then offered at what would be a moderate price for an online book except that the subsequent instalments are really rather short portions of one book. If you purchase all of the parts of the book you wind u paying more than you would for a best selling hardcover in a brick and mortar bookshop and I feel victimized by the stratagey and will not purchase another book from Mr Wareham until and unless the marketing scheme is abandoned. He is not the only person behaving in this way and I will not buy books from any of the others either.

I'm a longstanding fan, and avid reader, of British Navy novels. Mr. Wareham's novels "The Duty and Destiny Series" is simply outstanding. Do yourself a favor and read the first in the series "The Friendly Sea" and I know you'll be hooked, as I was. Rarely do you find an author able to create so accurately the life and times of a British naval officer. Great story, wonderful character developement, fascinating detail in everyday lives. An excellent book, worthy of my five star rating, and well worth your attention.

I started reading naval novels when my father gave me the first Hornblower book and said I would enjoy it. This is one of the best I have read. I just finished book 4, and got book 5.
The author mentions at the beginning of each book that it is written in an older style. It works very well. When I am reading and I feel like I am present at the action, I know the book is well written.
As another review has mentioned, there is not a lot of detailed explanations of the technology and sailing techniques of the time. They are there, but it isn't the main focus of the books. The main focus is the people. The characters are well done, and true to themselves. The main character has what is probably an historically correct attitude towards people less fortunate than himself. He isn't cruel, he just doesn't worry much about them. When he does make connections with someone, he is completely loyal to them.
Its an unusual book, and the follow on books are just as good.
I completely recommend this.

This book starts the series as Frederick Harris has few prospects on land and goes to sea. He soon takes part in a cutting out expedition, gains a certain amount of fame and then goes to the Caribbean where he quickly rises from midshipman to master and commander of his own ship. There is a lot of action and behind the scenes look at how the navy was run back in the latter part of the 18th century.

I read and very much enjoyed the "Man of Conflict" series that Mr. Wareham had written. Indeed, I gave five stars to all five books in that series. This series seems almost to have been written by a different person. Mr. Wareham gives the same disclaimer at the beginning of this novel, (that he tries to adopt a style of writing in use at the Georgian period) as he does at the beginning of the "Man of Conflict" novels. The writing does seem a bit off in this novel. Mr. Wareham often uses phrases instead of sentences with actual verbs.

"North and then west around the island, the sea empty, beating ten miles of shore against the wind..."

It would take me a second or two to understand what was going on. Let us stick a subject and verb in there:

"The ship sailed north and then west around the island, the sea empty, beating ten miles of shore against the wind..."

and it is much plainer without the reader needing a pause to understand what is going on. I won't continue reading this series.

There is a lot of jumping around skipping over details that are important to character development. It is difficult to follow who is speaking. Frederick the central character's personality is never developed. The sailing and engagement descriptions are shallow.. Given the lifeless nature of this book, there is no real incentive to read the following books.

Writing this upon finishing book 11. I really enjoy Andrew Wareham's books. I have no real interest in naval history but Wareham has a way of establishing characters in his stories that you care about, and want to know more about. It keeps you looking for the next book. His main characters are never perfect people. Things happen. Characters die. I have to admit that there were pages describing battles and the gun placement on the ships that I just skimmed, but I always come away from his books with a greater understanding of history. I'd heard of the "press gangs" and "enclosure", but through these books you have a better understanding of how the people of the period viewed these kinds of things and the effect on their everyday lives. There is always a great history lesson in his stories. Wareham does an excellent job of presenting the time period. This series is free on kindle unlimited (and once you start this series you will read them all).

If you enjoy the Royal Navy/Napoleonic Wars genre, then you will certainly enjoy this fine series. Do we have perfect realism all of the time? No, sloops rarely took French 74s! But, so what? The main character is great, and the author does bring a wealth of nautical detail for the period. The secondary characters are fun, as well. I just finished the fifth volume and can't wait for the next one. Be sure to read them in order; the author is inching his way toward Trafalgar...

Lots of action, with what appears to be accurate information regarding the life of a midshipman and junior officer in the Royal Navy during its heyday, Just enough tongue-in-cheek humor to leaven what could otherwise be pedantic. The author hit the right mix of history, education, humor and action. I am looking forward to future volumes in the series.

Better than Pope or Kent, seems fairly authentic historically with quick paced story line and adequate character development for the first of twelve books. Enjoyed--Recommend if you like the peak era of fighting sailing stories.

By comparison this has rather shallow character development. Pacing is a bit ragged, dialogue not as well done and rather little descriptive narrative. Will try the next one since it’s still better than most of the drivel on Unlimited