[Nathaniel Drinkwater 08] • In Distant Waters

From Publishers WeeklyCaptain Nathaniel Drinkwater, R.N., now seems to be repeating events in his life. In 1807, he's once again sent on a semisecret mission by spymaster Lord Dungarth ( A Baltic Mission ), is tempted by a foreign beauty ( A Brig of War ) and is captured by his enemies ( 1805 ). This time, though, the incidents occur in the Pacific Northwest, where Drinkwater is sent to foil Russian attempts at south-of-Alaska settlement and to prevent a Russo-Spanish alliance in northern California. Our hero vies with England's enemies, mainly on the brig Patrician , where he is also preoccupied with a disaffected crew always on the brink of mutiny. Using some real-life Russians and Californios, Woodman spins a plausible what-if tale featuring, as usual, details of seamanship, the requisite gory battle scenes and glimpses of world politics. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the AuthorAs a professional sailor, Richard Woodman has sailed in a variety of ships serving from apprentice to captain. Besides the Nathaniel Drinkwater series, he has written nautical fiction about tea-clippers and cargo liners and is a member of the Society for Nautical Research. His latest book is "The History of the Ship." Woodman lives in England and is considered one of the strongest voices in nautical fiction today.