Standards Left Ragged (A Fairaday and Marlborough Novel) (ISBN 0972630384)

Conflicts bring reader into the story:
Reviewed by Joe Graham for Reader Views (4/06) C.D. White works to create the world of the struggle between the British navy and American rebel privateers in April of 1776 before the announcement of the Declaration of Independence in July. He shows the nautical world of 1776 on the English ship, the "Roebuck" under the command of Captain Andrew Hammond and the Yankee privateer "Javelin" under the command of Captain Phillip Fairaday. White does a good job of setting up the situation of the central conflict between the British and Yankees, the specific conflict between the brother-in-laws, Fairaday and Marlborough and the conflicts on the ships between various shipmates like Fairaday and Kempner who is trying to undermine Fairaday's authority and take over command. The conflict between Fairaday and Hammond is intensified by the fact that Fairaday's brother-in-law is the second in command on the "Roebuck," Second Lieutenant Marlborough. The conflict in families with different family members was not uncommon during the war. White also brings in the conflicts between the sailors and their respective governments. Capt. Hammond and Lt. Marlborough have to convince Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia of the need for a smaller ship that go into shallower waters after the Yankee privateers. Capt. Fairaday's younger brother, Elias has to go to Pat Henry to ask for more supplies for his brother's brother. The author was very successful with the various conflicts to draw the reader into the story One quote from the book shows the motivation of the men on both sides of the struggle. Captain Hammond says, "Aye, what we came for blood and glory, blood and glory" as they prepare to attack the Yankee privateer. Any reader who has an interest in American history during the time before the Revolutionary War will enjoy the book especially if they like nautical tales. White is successful in luring the reader into the world of life in the waters and lands around Chesapeake Bay, but he obviously intends to continue the story and he leaves several plot threads dangling like how will the romance between Phillip Fairaday and Peggy Raison develop and will Fairaday and Marlowe meet in battle and who will come out victorious which makes for a tantalizing and frustrating ending. I enjoyed the book especially since I know little about the struggles on and off the American coastline prior to the Revolution. My only criticism of the book was that it left me hanging wondering what was going to happen to Fairaday and Marlborough. I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a nautical tale set at the birth of the American navy. White has woven together a story of strong, forceful men on opposing sides of the upcoming battles of the American Revolution and even though, Americans will naturally side with the Yankees, the author makes the British sailors interesting enough that you can also hope that the British will be successful in their endeavors or at least not suffer any serious harm. He paints a picture of naval warfare that should appeal to naval buffs and landlubbers alike and should leave them wanting to read more about Fairaday and Marlborough.

A Darned Good Sea Going Adventure Story:
Phillip Faraday is a Yankee Privateer, Captain of the small man of war "Javelin" in April of 1776 when he encounters the vastly superior British vessel "Roebuck" with his brother-in-law, Royal Navy Lieutenant Eliot Marlborough on board as second in command. The "Roebuck" gives chase, but Faraday knows the shallow waters in the Chesapeake Bay area and successfully guides his shallower draft boat to safety. However, he runs aground during the escape and they have to anchor to effect repairs and during the night they are boarded by a party of British and taken. Faraday is below with a loyal sailor when this happens. They manage to free their crew, kill the British, but they have to sink the "Javelin" to fool the Brithish and make a safe get away in their lifeboat. Faraday has a potential mutiny on his hands, plus Marlborough is determined to capture him and to make matters worse, somebody has killed one of his men. Faraday has to get himself another ship and Marlborough is wanting his own command. They are going to clash again in this taut seagoing adventure that will have you flipping through the pages, eager to see what happens next. Mr. White has written a seagoing yarn that I just couldn't put down. I just love the way he alternated the chapters between Faraday's and Marlborough's points of view. One minute I was rooting for the Yanks, the next chapter for the Brits. This is a highly entertaining adventure story, one you can't go wrong with. Reviewed by Stephanie Sane

A highly recommended read for its remarkable telling of an intriguing journey to all general fans of colonial & naval fiction:
Standards Left Ragged, deftly written by C. D. White, is the engaging tale of Captain Phillip Fairady and Royal Navy Lieutenant Eliot Marlborough in a nautical adventure novel in the Chesapeake Bay during the ongoing struggle for land in the year 1776. Instantly a classic, Standards Left Ragged is a remarkable recreation of the perpetually interesting lifestyle and timely truths of the fledgling navy during the pre-revolutionary America era. Standards Left Ragged depicts the conflict between two prolific captains as they must work in confluence on the HMS Roebuck 44 to create an orderly and productive crew, leaving one with an undetermined fate as the other must claim control. Standards Left Ragged is a very highly recommended read for its remarkable telling of an intriguing journey to all general fans of colonial and naval fiction.