Reviews of “Madness, Betrayal and the Lash”
 Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“Any fan of the Great Age of Sail, the history of the Royal Navy or European voyages of exploration will enjoy rediscovering this almost-forgotten hero.” Publisher's Weekly, Jun 16, 2009 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“Madness, Betrayal and the Lash is Stephen R. Bown’s attempt to restore the reputation of one of the greatest, yet least-known British navigators: George Vancouver. ...Vancouver would die, ignored and forgotten by English society, at the age of forty. Bown believes Vancouver did not deserve this fate and presents a strong defence of the accused. Well-written and engaging, Madness, Betrayal and the Lash is a successful attempt to humanize a man lampooned by his peers as a coward, a tyrant, and worse.” The Beaver, Feb 10, 2009 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“Bown does a fine job not only narrating this journey but also describing those who would destroy the captain’s reputation post-voyage. …In addition to Vancouver’s tale, readers familiar with the Pacific Northwest will find fascinating the stories behind the region’s place names. Bown has crafted a very readable account that will appeal to anyone curious about the little-celebrated man whose name is a daily utterance for many western Canadians.” Alberta Views Magazine, Jan 28, 2009 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“Stephen R. Bown’s look at Vancouver, builds a premise of fundamental learning on the master sailor’s [Captain Cook’s] part and culminates with him using all he has learned – and some he has not – in his legendary explorations of British Columbia’s oft treacherous coastal region.” Daily Herald Tribune, Aug 14, 2008 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash"[Madness, Betrayal and the Lash] is a story with a strong human narrative of ow one man successfully battled against nature and the elements only to suffer ignominy and defeat at the hands of his 'peers'. ...The inter-personal conflicts on board Discovery provide a strong storyline and are just as fascinating as the naval challenges encountered on the voyage." Cook's Log (UK), Aug 1, 2008 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“Bown reviews the captain’s early career and ably sketches out the diplomatic and cartographic context of the final expedition. Well written and well paced, the book will please readers who like their history presented as old-fashioned narrative. …Madness, Betrayal and the Lash is an entertaining and fair-minded presentation of the events of George Vancouver’s life.” Literary Review of Canada, Aug 1, 2008 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“Bown’s book is, however, a good rallying point for native claims and if one was to read this book for that purpose only they would be well rewarded. …this is a book all Vancouverites, native or converts, and indeed all British Columbians, should read.” The Tyee, Jul 28, 2008 Read more >>Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“…it’s obvious that [Bown’s] ambition is to elevate Vancouver to the pantheon occupied by his contemporaries James Cook and Horatio Nelson. And he makes a good case, especially given that Vancouver completed a four-year circumnavigation of the globe without losing a man to scurvy, the curse of the mariners during that era. …Nonetheless, the explorer is well served by this Alberta-based historian’s clear-eyed, respectful charting of his life and times.” Georgia Straight, Jul 10, 2008 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“[Bown] reminds us that our knowledge isn’t always entirely accurate. Often, the people who get credit in history aren’t the ones who deserve it. Such mistakes need to be corrected. …Thanks to him, we learn that George Vancouver was ‘at heart, a good man. He accomplished great things and, as our historical and cultural ancestor, he deserves a greater place in our collective memory.’” Vancouver Sun, Jul 4, 2008 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash“This is no pure high seas adventure. Just as engaging is Bown’s account of the scourging Vancouver received back in England at the hands of higher-class shipmates who had endured his onboard discipline.” Toronto Star, Jun 29, 2008 Read more about Madness, Betrayal and the Lash >> |