Rated of 5
by Therese J. (Alvarado, Minnesota) Know Your History
Tides Of War is well written for those who are familiar with British nineteenth century war history, and with British idiom. Not knowing background was a handicap as I read this book, as the author plunged into the tale, moving rapidly from one venue to another, one person to another without making connections. A good novel for me is one I don't have to struggle to read, and this was tough.
Rated of 5
by Carolyn G. (South Pasadena, CA) A very slow read
I volunteered to read Tides of War because I like historical fiction and I hoped to learn more about this period of history. If I had just gotten this book out of the library or had decided to buy it, I would not have finished it. Out of respect to the author, I read the book to the bitter end. I kept wishing the writer would find her story teller voice and that the book would get better. Sadly, it never did. This is a complex story with lots of characters; however, none of them are fully developed. Rather than a novel, this is a collection of small vignettes of several different stories. Just when a scene began to have some drama and characterization, the author dropped the curtain and moved the action. Neither of the main characters, Harriet or her new husband Captain James Raven is especially likable. Their infidelities do not inspire passion or even much interest. As a reader, I felt disappointed that there wasn’t more about the Irish involvement in the conflict. There were bits and pieces of battle field scenes, medical history and development of gas lighting in London which seemed unrelated to the plot.
Rated of 5
by Steve B. (Spring, TX) Historical Novel
This historical novel, framed in the time period of the Peninsular War (1812 - 1815), deals with the military action in Spain and the civilians left behind in England. There is more attention paid to the romance and dalliances of those left behind than to the military action. I would have preferred more history and less romance.
Rated of 5
by Leslie D. (Le Roy, NY) "Tides of War" reveals true heroes--and imposters
Although slow starting, this superb historical piece depicts the Peninsular War in rare depth. From the home front to the battlefield, it’s an honest, raw view of war and its effects, where intensely sad scenes are countered by little rays of hope. The portrayal of real people, including Wellington and his wife Kitty, financier Nathan Rothschild, and inventor Frederick Winsor, is outstanding and provides rich fodder for discussion groups.
Rated of 5
by Wendy E. (Mechanicsville, VA) Too much going on!
While I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book, there were too many storylines to follow, too many characters to keep up with. The main characters needed a bit more "fleshing out." I found myself wanting to read more about the historical characters, however fictionalized they were in these scenes.
Rated of 5
by Malinda N. (Wheeling, WV) Tides of War
I was really looking forward to this book. Historical fiction is, by far, my favorite genre. Unfortunately, as hard as I tried, I was unable to finish the book. It failed to grab my interest early on and I put it down to read another book. Frankly I read three other books while trying to finish this one. I don't think I have ever done that before. I will try it again in the future but this time I found it slow and was unable to keep up with the many characters.
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of 5
by Therese J. (Alvarado, Minnesota) 
of 5
by Steve B. (Spring, TX) 
of 5
by Leslie D. (Le Roy, NY) 
of 5
by Malinda N. (Wheeling, WV) 
