London 1759 and Jack's life is easy. A scholar at Westminster School, a master with cricket bat or billiard cue, the leader of a gang of bucks about the Town, he has both a girl he worships ...and a courtesan teaching him the more basic arts of love. Yet he plans to give up all carousing, sit the examinations for Cambridge, find a career in any field he chooses. If he can just stay out of trouble for one night... From the billiard halls and brothels of London to a clash of Empires on the Plains of Abraham, Jack's life is forever altered by the tragedies of that night. Through duels, battles, frantic escapes and a brutal winter spent in a cave in Canada, the schoolboy will vanish, and a man appear. But first he must learn to kill. To come of age, Jack Absolute must be blooded.
The Blooding of Jack Absolute
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'CC Humphreys has created the finest series of historical novels since Patrick O'Brian.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE )
NOTTINGHAM EVENING POST
'Rip-roaring'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Young blade-about-town Jack must flee the country after offending a powerful opponent. No more secret trysts with actress- prostitutes, no more drinking sprees with his wayward mates. From the intrigues of the London theatre world, Jack is catapulted to colonial Quebec on the eve of the decisive battle between England and France for control of North America.
After witnessing General Wolfe's death and England's victory, Jack is captured by Indian allies of the French. He must survive the gruesome Canadian winter in a cave with a Mowhawk fellow escapee, a dead bear and a copy of 'Hamlet' for company...
Strong on characters and atmosphere, CC Humphreys effortlessly transports the reader into the 18th century. My only gripe is that because of the abrupt change of scenery none of the engaging characters of the first part (Jack's playwright mother, his wastrel friends and assorted hot totty) make it into the second.
I'm hoping to meet them again in a sequel!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Dazzla
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
A thoroughly enjoyable tale that really brings the smell, taste and debauchery of C18th London to life. Our hero Jack has all the attributes you'd want as well as all the failings that kept me turning the pages. CC Humphreys has struck a rich seam of potential with this series and his writing style, historical research and ability to weave the 'real' with the imagained really made this book a worthwhile addition to the historical genre. 4 stars is a pretty good rating and I'm looking forward to more adventures!
By Sam
Format:Paperback
I am a big fan of George MacDonald Fraser's `Flashman' novels; they are crude, rude, but good to know. The secret to the Flashman books is that they are historically accurate and they are funny. `The Blooding of Jack Absolute' has a passing resemblance to the `Flashman' books, both are about boorish military types you like to chase women, and both are based on characters taken from other fiction. However, whilst Old Flashy plays for laughs, Absolute plays it's straight and for this reason is just not as good.
`Blooding' is the second book in the Absolute series and follows Jack from childhood until his first major conflict in Canada. The book has two distinct sections; London as an older school boy and Canada as a fighter. Both of them work in some ways, but fail in others. C. C. Humphreys' description of London itself is evocative and seems to be well researched. I enjoyed some of the japes that Absolute got himself into, but the earnest nature of the character made him a little charmless, so you don't feel too sorry for him. The Canadian part of the book starts off promisingly with a good battle, but then descends into a boy's own style adventure of survival and aboriginals.
I found some of the naivety of the action a little off putting; it needed to be a little more cynical and dark to feel truthful. At times it was a little condescending and did not feel like anything historically accurate. Humphreys' book swerves from self-discovery to action and back again - all the elements are present for a rollicking adventure, it is just a shame that they are slightly undermined by some twee sections. `The Blooding of Jack Absolute' is a decent read, but no match for Fraser.
`Blooding' is the second book in the Absolute series and follows Jack from childhood until his first major conflict in Canada. The book has two distinct sections; London as an older school boy and Canada as a fighter. Both of them work in some ways, but fail in others. C. C. Humphreys' description of London itself is evocative and seems to be well researched. I enjoyed some of the japes that Absolute got himself into, but the earnest nature of the character made him a little charmless, so you don't feel too sorry for him. The Canadian part of the book starts off promisingly with a good battle, but then descends into a boy's own style adventure of survival and aboriginals.
I found some of the naivety of the action a little off putting; it needed to be a little more cynical and dark to feel truthful. At times it was a little condescending and did not feel like anything historically accurate. Humphreys' book swerves from self-discovery to action and back again - all the elements are present for a rollicking adventure, it is just a shame that they are slightly undermined by some twee sections. `The Blooding of Jack Absolute' is a decent read, but no match for Fraser.
By TheReader
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Being a huge fan of George McDonald Frazier's 'Flashman' Series I was interested in reading some more historical novels. I was certainly not disappointed with C.C Humphrey's book. It tells the tale of young Jack Absolute around the mid 18th century. The author gives great depth both to his many vivid characters and the places they inhabit. We are taken on an exciting journey from Cornwall to the bustling metropolis of London described in all it's pomp, debauchery and squalor. Later on we come to Canada's bleak wilderness and a war between two superpowers.
I really enjoyed this novel. I found it more humorous and enjoyable than just about any of the Bernard Cornwell's 'Sharpe' series. The book is brilliantly well researched with notes on the authors reading list and adventures at the end. Save a tree and buy this great novel from one of Amazons great 2nd hand book dealers.
I really enjoyed this novel. I found it more humorous and enjoyable than just about any of the Bernard Cornwell's 'Sharpe' series. The book is brilliantly well researched with notes on the authors reading list and adventures at the end. Save a tree and buy this great novel from one of Amazons great 2nd hand book dealers.
By David Clark
Format:Paperback
After reading the first of the Jack Absolute books I ordered the book with great anticipation.To say that I read the book in 3 sittings means I was not dissapointed.Learning a bit more about the life of Absolute made the second book a great sequel/prequel to the first....If you have read the first book it's a great second,if you haven't read the first no problem,it's a good stand alone book too.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Colin
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this book along with the other two in the series for my brother. He has read the first, enjoyed it, and is now reading the next book. A good read.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By J. Chippindale
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I felt that for me personally this book was not quite as good as C. C. Humphries previous 2 novels (The French Executioner and Blood Ties), but it is still well worth a read.
The book depicts a period in history later than the previous 2 novels. 1777, after years away from England Jack returns to London to find that he has become famous as a character in a hit comedy "The Rivals" in which the playwright Richard Sheridan has stolen his name and made him the leading character.
This does nothing to help Jack in his chosen profession of spying. Notoriety is the last thing that he is looking for.
Jack had retired, but has to resume his spying when a duel over an actress forces him to seek shelter with his old commander who has been put in charge of an army and ordered to lead them from Canada to crush the American revolution.
Jack must fight not only revolutionaries, but opponents closer to hand, a sinister secret society.
The author has the knack of making his books interesting and informative and also easy reading at the same time.
The book depicts a period in history later than the previous 2 novels. 1777, after years away from England Jack returns to London to find that he has become famous as a character in a hit comedy "The Rivals" in which the playwright Richard Sheridan has stolen his name and made him the leading character.
This does nothing to help Jack in his chosen profession of spying. Notoriety is the last thing that he is looking for.
Jack had retired, but has to resume his spying when a duel over an actress forces him to seek shelter with his old commander who has been put in charge of an army and ordered to lead them from Canada to crush the American revolution.
Jack must fight not only revolutionaries, but opponents closer to hand, a sinister secret society.
The author has the knack of making his books interesting and informative and also easy reading at the same time.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 9 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fiction > Historical
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
