Fiddlers and Whores: The Candid Memoirs of a Surgeon in Nelson's Fleet - James Lowry

True voice from the past

Anyone with any interest in the Napoleonic wars or the Royal Navy will enjoy this book. The author, who wrote this lively account for private reading by his younger brother, rather than history, displays a fine youthful British swagger when recounting his romantic escapades and high jinks, but it is tempered with a humanity towards his enemies , and an appreciation of the wonders of the world that he viewed that does credit to the attitude that our forces have always displayed, whether in war or at peace. Look especially for the accounts of his encounters with the muslim world , especially the 'Walking Devils' p 66 and wonder how little things have changed!