Preview
  • By Force of Arms

  • The Revolution at Sea Series, Book 1
  • By: James L. Nelson
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (65 ratings)

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By Force of Arms

By: James L. Nelson
Narrated by: John Lee
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Publisher's summary

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
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What listeners say about By Force of Arms

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story, mediocre reading

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great yarn

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great sea story at the birth of the Nation

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Solid Sea Tale

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

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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narrated by captain kirk??

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My Favorite American Maritime Series and Favorite

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.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

WOWWWW!

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

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well done but nothing different than the rest of the genre.

I have long been a fan of O’Brien, Tull, Donachie in the like. I followed Captains Hornblower, Aubrey, Kydd, Ramage, Lurie and the whole gang for years. This work seems to be part and parcel of the same stuff, maybe not as well done. I could’ve use some more character development and although I am a big fan of John Lee he doesn’t do American accents well, they end up sounding kind of cringy. I’m not overly disappointed with this work it just didn’t raise the bar any from those previous authors I’ve mentioned, I don’t think it even meets the bar set by them.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great Revolutionary Era naval tale of Rhode Island.

This is an action packed adventure story set at the outset of the Revolutionary War in Rhode Island. The narrator does a great job as well.

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