By Force of Arms Audiobook By James L. Nelson cover art

By Force of Arms

The Revolution at Sea Series, Book 1

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By Force of Arms

By: James L. Nelson
Narrated by: John Lee
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As the War of Independence begins in earnest, American merchant seamen prepare to strike the first blows.

None strikes more deftly than Isaac Biddlecomb, captain of the Judea, whose smuggling activities are making a mockery of His Majesty’s Royal Navy. Pursued by HMS Rose, he sacrifices the ship he loved to the depths, together with the fortune he stood to gain, rather than surrender.

On the run from the enraged forces of King George, Biddlecomb disguises himself as a merchant seaman. He is reunited with Ezra Rumstick, a comrade and fierce rebel, as the revolution gathers momentum. On a brig bound for Jamaica and now serving as a lowly mate, Biddlecomb finds that fate tests his mettle as he is captured by the enemy and faces a life of servitude under the deranged captain and sadistic crew of the HMS Icarus.

©1996 James L. Nelson (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Sagas Royal Navy
Historically Accurate • Original Plot • Skilled Narrator • Action Packed Adventure • Well Written Story
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a huge fan of James Nelson for about 15 years now been reading his Viking books on audible but first read his revolutionary at sea saga and paperback own all of his books and paperback and I'm so excited to see them in audible I love how historically accurate he is and his writing style just flows so well I can't say enough about how good it was can't wait for the rest of the series hopefully his pirate round series will come on audible as that is my favorite

great yarn

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Great beginning to the saga of American sailors. Well researched and written story of the sailors and sailing ships.

Great sea story at the birth of the Nation

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The story is good, though a bit predictable. The narrator is too stiff in his delivery.

Good story, mediocre reading

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Well written story and very well read. I enjoyed it for daily commutes. I would have preferred a closed story to a cliffhanger ending.

Solid Sea Tale

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I'm really liking this book, I've read many series in the same genre and you begin to recognize trope plots but this one is original and well written. i like how the characters are torn between loyalties and not just all automatically for or against the revolution. one thing that's an overwhelming distraction in this audiobook is the narrator reads everything with that distinctive weird cadence captain kirk from star trek is famously joked about for. it's really weird.

narrated by captain kirk??

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This is an entertaining book. I absolutely loved the bits about Pendexter’s bad ship handling. I hooted with laughter!

Amazing!

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I am an Aubrey and Maturain myself. I was drawn into Patrick O’Briens writing and have made the circumnavigation once through the cycle.
Nelson has added to my “sea story” collection. What wonderful characters and the way that the ships play their part in the story.
I did not believe that there would be another series that might even come close to A&M but this is a near run thing.
Well done sir well done!

“The bottle stands by you!!”

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I have long (decades) been a fan of John Lee, and am more likely to listen if he narrates. He is the best for the Patrick O'Brien Series. I love that Nelsoncan do, and has done many things described in his books as a captain himself.

I love that Biddlecomb is a Rhode Islander, and these books make me even hungrier to learn about my state. Biddlecomb's initial hesitancy about revolution seems realistic, and reminds me that almost 250 years ago there were a range of political opinions, not just black and white patriot vs. loyalist. Not unlike our time.

I wish this audiobook came with maps, and with illustrations of the ships. That's wish list though.

By Force of arms is a great audio purchase for me, as I know I will listen again.

My Favorite American Maritime Series and Favorite

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JAMES L. NELSON KNOWS OF WHAT HE WRITES. This Biddlecomb series knocks it out of the park!

WOWWWW!

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Ok story. Felt like the author didn't know how to end it and just stopped writing. The narrator needs work. Every American sounds like he comes out of an episode of Welcome Back Cotter. seems not to distinguish between Brooklyn and Boston.

OK story

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