Ramage's Devil

Dudley Pope does a great job of endearing his characters to us and creating action that is often surprizing. He is nautically correct and instructive. His inclusion of accurate maps makes it easier to visualize the action. The dialogue and narration are witty and informative.

All Lord Ramage are vibrant and exciting novels based upon historical naval battles and themes during the 1800's. Very well written by Dudley Pope, a great series!

The cover picture of ships in battle is completely false. This is a novel of naval guile instead. Ramage is a master of ruses de guerre, of victories with a short butcher's bill featuring his regular cast of characters (cf. "Ramage's Signal"). Following the life-changing events of the previous book ("Renegades"), Ramage is on a peaceable sailor's honeymoon when he finds himself newly behind enemy lines. The story of his escape and pursuit of a devilish captain to Devil's island prison includes vignettes of the oft-blockaded port of Brest, the ifyness of planning an action, diagnosis of alcoholism, the formation of trade wind clouds, messing below decks, books of secret signals, and how to fire a cannon on a pitching deck, as well as various tactical decisions that Ramage discusses with his officers.