Historic Naval Fiction Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
If you would like to help keep this site going please

AS THIS IS A FREE FORUM ADVERTS FROM THE SERVICE PROVIDER APPEAR TO THE RIGHT OF THIS NOTICE AND THEY ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THIS SITE.
Services Menu
PURCHASE BOOKS DISCUSSED
If you have heard about a book in this forum and would now like to read it yourself Astrodene has brought together links to purchase them. Links are available for the UK, USA, Canada, Austalia and New Zealand
ASSOCIATED WEB SITE
ARTICLES OF WAR (Forum rules)
FUTURE RELEASES CALENDAR
IMAGES GALLERY
VIDEO CHANNEL
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
Search
 
 

Display results as :
 

 


Rechercher Advanced Search

Latest topics
» Someone Write a Biography of Richard Bolitho!
The War of Knives EmptyThu 12 Oct 2023, 16:51 by 80 Winters

» What would you like the next book to cover?
The War of Knives EmptyThu 12 Oct 2023, 08:19 by Port of Olcott

» Douglas Reeman is dying
The War of Knives EmptyThu 12 Oct 2023, 06:56 by Port of Olcott

» Alexander Kent general discussion.
The War of Knives EmptyThu 05 Oct 2023, 22:51 by jkeffer

» A Horatio Hornblower Short Story as Written by ChatGPT
The War of Knives EmptyTue 11 Apr 2023, 01:00 by TonnerreDeBrest

» CSF in First Edition!
The War of Knives EmptyMon 11 Jul 2022, 12:16 by broughstar

» On the Barbary Coast
The War of Knives EmptyWed 01 Jun 2022, 05:10 by 80 Winters

» Yankee Mission - Book 25
The War of Knives EmptyMon 15 Nov 2021, 00:22 by 80 Winters

» Book #24 - Thunderer
The War of Knives EmptySun 31 Oct 2021, 01:19 by reb01501

Latest News on the Web Site
Loading...
Use of Cookies
By using this site, you agree we can set and use cookies. For more details of these cookies and how to disable them, see our cookie policy.

The War of Knives

3 posters

Go down

The War of Knives Empty The War of Knives

Post by Astrodene Tue 10 Feb 2009, 02:26

Just sat up late to finish the second of the series 'The War of Knives', again set in San Domingo. A section of this one is shore based but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. It continues to cover what for me is an unkown piece of history and some of the early tasks of the US Navy and political concerns of a new nation. Quite a bloodthirsty novel but another good read and one I'd recommend.

_______________________________
David
The War of Knives Userba10
http://historicnavalfiction.com *** http://www.astrodene.com
Astrodene
Astrodene
Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet

Log Entries : 2866
Age : 72
Location : Essex, England
Joined : 2008-08-21

http://www.historicnavalfiction.com

Back to top Go down

The War of Knives Empty Re: The War of Knives

Post by pipester Fri 24 Apr 2009, 03:09

In this sequel to Campbell’s first novel, No Quarter, Matty Graves, now a lieutenant aboard the schooner USS Rattle-Snake, is given a mission ashore. Sent to assess the situation, he finds himself at the siege of Jacmel – the final stand of Haiti’s mulattos under Alexandre Pétion who are battling freed slaves led by the legendary Toussaint L’Ouverture for control of the country. Both sides claim legitimacy; both sides claim to be champions of liberty; both sides commit unimaginable atrocities. Close-in fighting with machetes gave the War of Knives its name and Campbell describes this in detail, but battle scenes are only the beginning of the horror as Matty moves toward his own heart of darkness. Matty tries to make sense of the action and track down rumors of a plot against the United States, but nobody is what he seems. He becomes a pawn in games he doesn’t understand as he struggles to sort friend from foe.

I like this book a lot, although it may not appeal to readers who are looking for straightforward naval adventure. It is not a page-turner in the conventional sense of a book that you can’t put down because of the engrossing action – more accurate to say that we are pulled along in awful fascination as Matty’s journey of self-discovery unfolds. Campbell’s humor takes a macabre turn in The War of Knives but, as in the earlier book, it is heavily based in language, and the interplay among English, French and Creole comes to play a pivotal role in the story. In a moment of enforced idleness, Matty’s friend sets out to teach him Creole and we are treated to a page and a half of Creole grammar and syntax. I was delighted, but this may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Still, you should read this book. Campbell does an impressive job of mining an obscure corner of history for elemental human drama. He probes deeply into the meaning of friendship, betrayal, survival, race and language in the context of unforgettable adventure.
pipester
pipester
Third Lieutenant
Third Lieutenant

Log Entries : 214
Age : 69
Location : Durham, NC USA
Joined : 2009-01-25

http://home.mindspring.com/~pipe.smokin.guy/

Back to top Go down

The War of Knives Empty Re: The War of Knives

Post by conaghan Sat 09 Jan 2010, 15:47

Just finished reading "War of Knives" and "bloodthirsty adventure" it certainly is. Actually think I liked it even more than the first novel in this series. Very Happy
conaghan
conaghan
Masters Mate
Masters Mate

Log Entries : 96
Location : Republic of Northern Virginia
Joined : 2009-05-08

Back to top Go down

The War of Knives Empty Re: The War of Knives

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top


 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum