The Launching of Roger Brook

This is the first of a long series of novels that propels the reader into the heart, soul and terror of revolutionary France, Marie Antoinette, Marat, Robespierre, Napoleon, Catherine the Great of Russia, Nelson and many great historical characters of late 18th century and early 19th Century Europe. This is the best way in my opinion of learning history, by reading about it as a novel and a character that intertwines with the leading movers and shakers of the time. Having run away from England to escape being commissioned in the Navy by his father Christopher, Roger runs away to France rather than face the harsh life of a Royal Navy Midshipman. He takes up life in France with little knowledge of French, but then works his way up the influential and political ladder. The launching of Roger Brook essentially establishes the character and starts off his life in France for the forthcoming novels that will leave you wanting to read them all. Wheatley has a fascinating style of leading you down a path of suspense only to keep you hanging until you think all is lost, only to "reel you back in". Buy it, read it and learn from it and the other Roger Brook novels and you will learn probably more about the French revolution and the character of Napolean than any source of history book.