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"Stark realism and finely crafted humor . . . compelling reading." --"Library Journal "
Product Description
Laced with smart humour, this naval tale follows the early career of Lieutenant Otto Prohaska, a cadet in the Austro-Hungarian Navy at the turn of the century. Bad luck continues to shadow Otto, and when a fellow cadet breaks his leg, Otto must take his place on a scientific expedition bound for disaster. But even sinister quack scientists, a misguided attempt to establish a colony in Africa, and angry South Sea cannibals bent on destruction cannot keep Otto from fulfilling his patriotic duty.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is good to see Biggins' four Otto Prohaska novels back in print. They are intensely readable, informative, and amazing in their ability to draw the reader into a now-dead but fascinating world. Prohaska is an officer in the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Navy and the other books deal with his career in the years before, and during, the First World War. This one takes us back to 1903, when as a naval cadet he serves aboard an antiquated vessel making a voyage of exploration and (hopefully) colonisation that takes it to many parts of the world.
The ship is in many ways a metaphor for the Empire itself - out-of-date and not quite coming to terms with the modern world, unrealistic in what people expect of it, and starting to come apart but nonetheless blending people from many nations in a common aim. Readers of before-the-mast sailing adventures will find more than enough to satisfy them here, while those who want to be taken into this lost world and a society whose basis and attitudes differ so much from our own will have no complaints.
The narration by the now very old Prohaska seeking to commit his experiences to record is wry, dry, witty, and affectionately respectful of a world which vanished for ever in the years of 1914-18.
The ship is in many ways a metaphor for the Empire itself - out-of-date and not quite coming to terms with the modern world, unrealistic in what people expect of it, and starting to come apart but nonetheless blending people from many nations in a common aim. Readers of before-the-mast sailing adventures will find more than enough to satisfy them here, while those who want to be taken into this lost world and a society whose basis and attitudes differ so much from our own will have no complaints.
The narration by the now very old Prohaska seeking to commit his experiences to record is wry, dry, witty, and affectionately respectful of a world which vanished for ever in the years of 1914-18.
Format:Paperback
This is the first chronologically in the Otto Prohaska series and is a really good read taking the reader through Prohaska's early life in a remote part of the Austro-Hungarian empire with fascinating descriptions of his experiences as part of an ethnic minority in a part of the world and era which has been very little written about. It then traces his aspiration to join the Austro Hungarian Navy with his eventual introduction and experiences there. This develops into a really thrilling yarn as he joins an obsolete training vessel for a circumnavigation of the world on a zoological expedition as a cadet. The plotting and character description are first rate and put me in mind of George McDonald Fraser's anti-hero Flashman but by no means as unprincipled. As with all his books John Biggins is very strong on historical and technical detail which serves to emphasise the authenticity of the storyline.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Tomorrow the World - Otto Prohaska Novels
25 Nov 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
ALL of these novels are gems. This one is one of his best. Set in the early 1900's, Prohaska is a cadet seaman on a voyage of discovery. Like all the novels, this one exposes the rotten core of the Austrian civil and military systems in a way that will have you rolling on the floor. I've loaned these books to my friends and they won't be coming back anytime soon. They have become a regular topic of conversation in my historical group. Highly recommended even if you aren't interested in the period.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Amazing creative writing
26 Aug 2008
Format:Paperback
I have read each of the four Otto Prohaska novels written by John Biggins.
Amazing creative work. Set in the first World War era, with the Empire of Austria/Hungary falling apart, Otto Prohaska experiences the total incompetence of the Austrian government and its military component. The actual writing is superb. I wish I recognized the place-names as well as the geography of the novels. Otto Prohaska lives to be over 100. His experiences are incredible. The writing is wry and tongue-in-cheek as he details his naval experience and his combat flying experience. First rate!
Amazing creative work. Set in the first World War era, with the Empire of Austria/Hungary falling apart, Otto Prohaska experiences the total incompetence of the Austrian government and its military component. The actual writing is superb. I wish I recognized the place-names as well as the geography of the novels. Otto Prohaska lives to be over 100. His experiences are incredible. The writing is wry and tongue-in-cheek as he details his naval experience and his combat flying experience. First rate!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Outstanding!!!!
2 Jan 2009
Format:Paperback
From reading reviews of Mr. Biggins' Otto Prohaska series, I thought that this would be a good book. However, I was wrong. This was an incredibly excellent, thought-provoking, and witty book. I recommend it to the history buff or anyone who enjoys a good read.
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