Revolution sea story charged with energy, action, history

LORDS OF THE OCEAN by James L. Nelson; Pocket Books, 1999; 354 pages, hardcover, $23.

James L. Nelson’s swashbuckling Capt. Isaac Biddlecomb is back in “Lords of the Ocean,” with more energy and quicker wits than ever.

As this fourth book in the “Revolution at Sea Saga” opens, the American Revolution is in full swing. Washington’s army is trapped on the banks of the East River. The only way out is to scramble across — but they have no boats.

When an officious aide to the general piques Biddlecomb’s pride, the intrepid commander of the brig Charlemagne is spurred to devise a plan to save the army and the Colonies. He sets out to steal some boats from the British fleet.

From there on, the action is fast, furious and tense, though there can be little doubt of the outcome, especially for anyone who has read any of the three previous novels in the series. The fun is in discovering how Biddlecomb will entangle himself in his next adventure on the high seas, how he’ll finagle escape and ultimately triumph.

And entangle himself he does, repeatedly. “Lords of the Ocean” is loosely plotted around Biddlecomb’s secret orders to ferry Benjamin Franklin to France. Franklin’s historical mission, of course, was to persuade the French to abet, if not join, the Colonies in their war against Britain.

In the course of accomplishing all this, shipping is plundered, deck battles are fought, lightweight political intrigues are played out, and Biddlecomb’s wits save the day as episodes build like rising winds to rousing action climaxes.

James Nelson writes with tremendous energy, not only for swords and sails, but also for his characters. While muskets thunder frequently, the book also is peppered humanely with Biddlecomb’s regrets about all the violence. The villains are treacherous but humanly motivated, and we regularly glimpse Biddlecomb’s reflections on his own foibles — and pleasures.

The factual rigging of the novel is also tightly secured. As in the previous “Revolution at Sea” books, Nelson makes vivid use of his knowledge of sailing vessels and their gear, and he sketches the story’s historical framework deftly. His imagination of Benjamin Franklin’s bearing and presence is satisfyingly realistic.

The key word, however, is “energy.” James Nelson, like Biddlecomb, is proving to be prolific. A fifth book in the saga is scheduled for publication later this year, and another novel, “The Guardship,” recently launched a second sea-thriller series, this time about pirates.

For fun you can also visit his Web site at www.jameslnelson.com, featuring information on his books, biographical details, tongue-in-cheek interviews, and photos of him and his wife at home in Harpswell. Of particular interest on the Web site is a self-contained narrative cut from an earlier novel, detailing Lt. Henry Mowatt’s bombardment of Falmouth, or Portland, in 1775. It makes a good introduction to Nelson’s writing.

A scarcity of female characters suggests “Lords of the Ocean” will appeal more to men — and boys — than to women. But anyone who likes fast-paced stories of battles, boats and heroes will enjoy Nelson’s books. “Lords of the Ocean” is a raucous sea story told cleverly and knowledgeably in crisp, clear prose. It’s a credit to the tradition of C.S. Forester and the recently deceased Patrick O’Brian.