Synopses & Reviews
With the stunning high-seas adventure Sails on the Horizon, Jay Worrall introduced a bold new hero in the rousing tradition of Jack Aubrey: Charles Edgemont, an ambitious officer in His Britannic Majestys navy. Raised to the rank of captain for gallantry under fire, Edgemont proved his mettle in the bruising British victory over the Spanish fleet at the Battle of St. Vincent. Now married and in command of the twenty-eight-gun frigate Louisa, the young captain sails toward a day of destiny-for himself and for England.
The year is 1798. The war between England and revolutionary France has reached a bloody stalemate, with England in the ascendancy at sea and France unchallenged on the Continent, thanks in large part to an unorthodox twenty-eight-year-old general named Napoleon Bonaparte. But the French, secretly amassing a powerful fleet, mean to break the impasse.
When rumors of the French preparations leak, the Admiralty dispatches a squadron of seven ships-among them the Louisa-under the command of Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson to investigate. Blindsided by a storm of ferocious intensity, the ships scatter across the seas.
After the storm subsides, the damaged frigates limp back to the rendezvous point. But there is no sign of Nelsons flagship, Vanguard, nor of two other ships of the line. Edgemont fears that the pugnacious rear admiral has pressed on with the mission.
Putting his career on the line by disobeying direct orders, Edgemont sets out in pursuit of Nelson and the French fleet on a treacherous voyage along the Tuscan coast. As tensions among the crew threaten to explode into open insubordination or worse, Edgemont makes an unexpected discovery in Naples that may seriously compromise his mission.
When the missing French fleet turns up off the shores of Egypt, conveying an army tens of thousands strong, Edgemont is suddenly thrown into a crisis of conscience. As circumstances grow dire and require heroic action, the fate of the crucial battle effectively lies in Edgemonts hands-as does the course of history.
From the Hardcover edition.
Synopsis
In 1798, with the English fleet of Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson scattered by a deadly storm, Captain Charles Egemont leads the Louisa and its companion brig Pylades on a treacherous voyage across the Mediterranean in a race against time to bring Nelson vital information that is needed to stop the French off the coast of Alexandria. Reprint. 10,000 first printing.
Synopsis
"Jay Worrall depicts the hearts and minds of the late eighteenth century with a facility I have seldom seen equaled. Readers of Patrick O'Brian will find themselves back in familiar gunrooms and wardrooms. Well done, Jay Worrall "--David Poyer, author of That Anvil of Our Souls The year is 1798. The war between England and revolutionary France has reached a stalemate. With rumors swirling that the French are secretly amassing a powerful fleet, the Admiralty dispatches a group of ships under the command of Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson to investigate. But after a ferocious storm blindsides the squadron, Nelson's flagship and two other ships go missing.
Putting his career on the line by disobeying direct orders, Captain Charles Edgemont sets out in pursuit of Nelson and the French fleet on a treacherous voyage along the Tuscan coast. As tensions among the crew rise from a simmer to a boil, Edgemont makes an unexpected discovery in Naples that may compromise his mission. And when the French fleet turns up off the shores of Egypt, Edgemont is suddenly thrown into a crisis of conscience. As circumstances grow dire and require heroic action, the fate of the crucial battle effectively lies in Edgemont's hands--as does the course of history.
Praise for Any Approaching Enemy
"A thoroughly enjoyable venture into the venue made famous by C. S. Forester . . . evoking] the same admiration and sense of adventure as] the Forester books do."--The Roanoke Times
"Combining engaging characters, witty dialogue and rousing action, Worrall's nautical series continues its promising start."--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Jay Worrall is the author of Sails on the Horizon. Born into a military family and raised as a Quaker, Worrall grew up in a number of countries around the world. During the Vietnam War he worked with refugees in the Central Highlands of that country, and afterwards taught English in Japan. Worrall has also worked to develop innovative and humane prison programs, policies, and administration. He is married and the proud father of five sons, and he now lives and works in Pennsylvania.
From the Hardcover edition.