Purely for Entertainment

Tucker: Quintessential Louis L’Amour: Ma’s been gone a long time, now Pa’s gone. His so-called friends stole the cash he and Pa owed to their neighbors, and now the money’s gone. If he doesn’t get it back, his reputation will be gone, too. So Shel Tucker is going after the gang. One at a time.

Pretty mild, but a few rough words. A couple of d___, maybe a h___.

Sackett’s Land: The great American west starts in old England, where a resourceful young man happens upon buried treasure and turns it into a grand future in the New World. Completely unrealistic and totally unbelievable, but engrossing nonetheless.

Master and Commander: For a slightly more mature audience, Patrick O’Brian builds the Aubrey/Maturin soap opera around real historical British sailors in the wind-powered Navy. The action is extraordinarily realistic because all the battle scenes are taken directly and faithfully from dry-as-dust Royal Navy historical accounts. But when Aubrey is done with them, they are nothing but swash-buckling entertainment. “There is not a moment to be lost!"

Absolutely rich with dry humor.

Given the setting, the language is surprisingly mild, but there are adult themes. These are sailors, after all.

Grey Seas Under: Our token non-fiction entry. This is the true story of a commercial steam-powered tug boat operating off Newfoundland, principally during WW2. Lots of merchant marine and civilian freighter rescue stories in over-the-top impossible situations. One can feel the bone-chilling cold of an angry nor’easter. The next wave over the bow may well be your last!

Byzantium: Historical fiction (which is maybe a stretch). Young monk-in-training Aidan (St. Patrick?) leaves 11th-century Ireland on a sojourn to see the Holy Father in Europe. He is captured by Viking raiders and finds his future entwined with theirs for years of travel to exotic lands. Treasure, combat, love, honor and deep, abiding friendship await Aidan as he grows into a man who has seen it all. Escapism at its finest!

But honestly, this is way too expensive. See if you can find it used at www.thriftbooks.com or someplace.

Warning: Legal Disclaimer. Yes, as an Affiliate I get paid when you buy these. Ain’t America great!