Not Forester or O'Brian, but jolly fun

I read the Ramage series 40 years ago right after finishing the Hornblower Saga. After that anything would feel derivative, despite Pope's efforts to make Ramage the antithesis of Forester's hero. Ramage is wealthy, hansom, athletic, and comfortable in his own skin. The Ramage series is more swashbuckling than Hornblower which was an exploration into the psychology of a naval hero just as Aubrey/Matchurin books focused on the evolution of friendship as tested by war and shifting fortune. Pope knows his stuff and has written several naval histories. Taken for what they are, the Ramage books are fun.

8 people found this helpful

Great Action in the day of Fighting Sail!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ramage to be better than the print version?

I often find that a good narrator, and Steven Crossley is just excellent, breathes life to the prose.....thus making a richer experience of the story....and of course the story is everything. I have listened to many books narrated by Steven Crossley and he is one of my most favorites.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ramage?

The revelation that he had not failed his duty

What does Steven Crossley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is a master of cadence and emphasis bringing just the right touch to each character he plays

4 people found this helpful

Engaging

Dudley Pope (1925-1997) was a writer of nautical fiction. He was a friend of C. S. Forester, the author of Horatio Hornblower. Apparently Forester encouraged Pope to write fiction. Pope had written several non-fiction books about naval history. It was this information that triggered me to obtain this book and give Pope a try. I am glad I did.

It is 1796 and Lt. Ramage is serving on HMS Sibella. The book starts off right in the middle of a battle. The action continues throughout the book. Ramage is rich, a nobleman, father was an admiral, lived in Tuscany as child and speaks Italian and French. Ramage is a Lieutenant in this book. Napoleon has attacked Italy. The Captain of the HMS Sibella was ordered to rescue some Italian Nobles. Ramage continues the assignment after HMS Sibella was sunk and all officers except him are dead. I found the Court Marshall hearing fascinating could not stop listening.

There is so much suspense and action in the book but Pope does work in some humor and a romance. The beautiful Italian Marquesa Ramage rescued, turned out it was with her family he lived when he was a child. He and Lady Gianna fall in love. Pope has created some interesting characters and a plot full of adventure, daring rescues, heroic feats, great sea battles and romance. This is book one of a series. If you like historical nautical fiction circa 1790’s you will enjoy this story. Steven Crossley did a good job narrating the book.

8 people found this helpful

Hidden Treasure

I am addicted to Sea Fiction around the time of the Napoleonic wars. I have purchased and listened to nearly everything Audible has to offer in this genre from
Patrick O'Brian/Jack Aubrey to Alexander Kent/Richard Bolitho and numerous others.
After listening to the 1st chapter of Ramage,the 1st in a series of novels by
Dudley Pope......So far I'm impressed.The beginning is different than any other novel like this in how it sets up the character in a bit of action from the get go.If the rest of the book continues in this vein[and I expect it to] I will have discovered a hidden treasure trove series of novels that I will continue to buy if Audible co-operates.After listening to the entire book I will modify and complete this review.

6 people found this helpful

Pretty good!

If you are a fan of CS Forester's Horatio Hornblower and the Aubry/Maturin Series by Patrick O'Brian, you will like Ramage. However I believe that the plot of Ramage is unnecessarily expanded at certain points without any apparent gain in intrigue. The reader does a great job.

2 people found this helpful

Many years ago I developed a love for reading.....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES!!! A wonderful discovery of a new favorite author for me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ramage?

Being able to "see, feel, smell and hear" with my minds eye the settings and events the written words portrayed through out the book.

Have you listened to any of Steven Crossley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first exposure to Steven Crossley and this wonderful saga.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were a number on such moments.

Any additional comments?

I first developed a love for reading in my early teen years thanks to The Hornblower series by C.S. Forrester. I had re read the series in print a number of years ago and after discovering audible books, I listened to the entire series on my MP3. Since then I have looked for a new author who's stores center on that same time period and subject matter. I am very delighted to have found this author and series and look forward to the other books in the saga.

2 people found this helpful

The story builds slowly and does OK

What did you love best about Ramage?

He has a personality that makes you want to keep listening

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ramage?

Alot of things happened that make me want to keep reading

Which character – as performed by Steven Crossley – was your favorite?

Lt Ramage was one of his best but all of them were well done

Who was the most memorable character of Ramage and why?

Ramage and his crew were all interesting with different character patterns

Any additional comments?

This was a good book not the best on naval warfare but good enough I have listened to 7 more and as the story goes along they get alot more interesting

2 people found this helpful

forgotten how much I enjoyed this series

the book was published in 1965, my father turned me on to CF Foster's Hornblower.... Alexander Kent.... an author pseudonym Douglas reedman in the Richard Bolitho series and Dudley Pope Ramage series most of them are historical fiction based on the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars it's good adventure with good sea stories it's not for everyone. I forgot how much I like it and the audio performance was well done.

1 person found this helpful

GREATEST SERIES IN THIS GENRE EVER!!

I have read ALL 18 books and was totally addicted , so when I realized yesterday this was the END, I was and still upset. I have read all the other similar series from Hornblower, C.S Lewis, Laurie series and started with the Master and Commander while they were very entertaining, NOnE CAPTIVATED AS MUCH. AS THE RAMAGE SERIES. After a hundred or so books, am at a complete loss. If British Naval history interests you, the characters in this book will stay with you forever.

1 person found this helpful

A lot better series in this Genre

Let me summarize this series for you

Ramage rubbed his scar and was startled as 34 French merchantmen and 12 Frigates sailed around the headland. Could the 10 Frigates that he had captured this morning in his rowboat and now manned by 1 man each possible defeat this armada he wondered to himself thinking for the 10238 time that morning about how he had rescued the Marquesa. He sighed rubbed his scar once more and captured the convoy, but the cost was high at 1 man wounded. Ramage (he never used his title) was dismayed to find that only half had cargoes where gold and jewels. However with a sudden burst inspiration he dashed to the captains cabin (he split into 46 people so he could be on all captured ships at once) to see that in the excitement all the Captains had forgot to throw their code books over the side and wonder of wonders they had also all brought their beautiful virgin daughters with them. At least he would have good company on his voyage back to be court-martialed once again for single handedly defeating Revolutionary France.

Sorry I guess i should have put spoilers tags.

3 people found this helpful