Nelson knows sailing, and he knows people. In Biddlecomb he has an all-too-human hero willing to step over any barrier to keep the British at bay and his own career on track.
(Previous Edition Praise)— Houston Chronicle
The fourth volume of Nelson's Revolution at Sea saga covers the period from the Declaration of Independence to the autumn of 1777, which leaves six more years of the Revolution to occupy several additional volumes. Nelson continues to put Isaac Biddlecomb in the center of the historical stage. Biddlecomb conveys Benjamin Franklin to France, receives a salute to the Grand Union flag, and then embarks on a somewhat checkered career of raiding British commerce in British home waters. All of this makes for a real page-turner, with plenty of first-class fight scenes for aficionados of sailing warfare. Some of those scenes are almost comic, such as the spectacle of both Biddlecomb and a traitorous American simultaneously trying to rescue some of Isaac's crew from Bristol Harbor, while others are strictly edge-of-the-seat affairs. Keenly aware of the plot possibilities offered by the events of history and the technology of sailing ships, Nelson continues to earn the loyalty of his steadfast readers.
(Previous Edition Praise)— Roland Green; Booklist
James Nelson is a master of his period and the English language. . . . Authenticity runs throughout the book, carrying total conviction. . . . Nelson writes with the eagerness of a young man sailing his first command.
— Patrick O'Brian, author of the Aubrey/Maturin series
Nelson’s seagoing experience is evident in his clear, convincing description. . . . The characters are strong and realistic, the plot and action believable and brisk . . . a fine adventure series.
— Publishers Weekly
Splice the main brace and drink a toast to James L. Nelson and By Force of Arms. Sailing in the wake of C. S. Forester, Nelson has done an excellent job of combining historical authenticity with firm characterization and lively action. . . . This is a fine yarn, deftly told.
— Nathan Miller, author of Sea of Glory: A Naval History of the American Revolution
Jim Nelson’s By Force of Arms strikes a blow toward establishing an American counterpart to Patrick O’Brian’s brilliance. With square-rigger experience in his wake and far horizons before Nelson, we can expect him to achieve one victory after another in the spirit of his British namesake.
— David Brink, S.A.I.L., Inc.
A rollicking good sea story.
— Naval History Magazine
A lively and highly readable account. Exploring the lives of seamen, merchant captains, and Royal naval officers, By Force of Arms offers a realistic and minutely detailed account of shipboard life during the period.
— John G. Kolp, assistant professor, Department of History, U.S. Naval Academy
Set sail with Jim Nelson into a world where he will lead you with the same command presence that he led his shipmates as Third Officer aboard the very real twentieth-century sail training ship HMS Rose. Plant your feet firmly on Nelson’s decks and you will smile as Patrick O’Brian has at Jim Nelson’s grace, wit, and humor.
— Captain Richard Bailey, Sail Training Ship HMS Rose
Rousing plots, historical authenticity, and seafaring as vivid as a slap of salt spray. . . . Delivers plenty of action . . . Nelson’s page-turner brings the Revolution to life on the high seas . . . will please old fans and win new ones.
— Portsmouth, Nh, Herald