• The King's Commission

  • By: Dewey Lambdin
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (514 ratings)

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The King's Commission  By  cover art

The King's Commission

By: Dewey Lambdin
Narrated by: John Lee
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Publisher's summary

It's 1782. First officer on brig o'war....

Fresh from duty on the frigate Desperate in her fight with the French Capricieuse off St. Kitts, Midshipman Alan Lewrie passes his examination board for lieutenancy and finds himself commissioned first officer of the brig o'war Shrike. There's time for some dalliance with the fair sex, and then Lieutenant Lewrie must be off to patrol the North American coast and attempt to bring the Muskogees and Seminoles onto the British side against the American rebels (dalliance with an Indian maiden is just part of the mission). Then it's back to the Caribbean, to sail beside Captain Horatio Nelson in the Battle for Turks Island.

Naval officer and rogue, Alan Lewrie is a man of his times and a hero for all times. His equals are Hornblower, Aubrey, and Maturin - sailors beloved by readers and listeners all over the world.

©1996 Dewey Lambdin (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"Fast-moving. . . A hugely likable hero, a huge cast of sharply drawn supporting characters: there's nothing missing. Wonderful stuff." ( Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about The King's Commission

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great read but CAUTION!

If you are a fan of Patrick O’brian, you will love Dewey Lambdin equally if not more. In the Alan Lewrie series Lambdin is equally historically accurate and perhaps even more engaging, but without the problem I often found of wondering who is speaking at a given time. Lambdin’s characters are very clear and concise. One major word of caution however. These books aren’t cheap, and after reading the first 10, Audible dropped the remaining eight of the series. So, unless you want to take an ending of the series on faith, until the remainder of the series reappears, I suggest not starting.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Allen Lurey comes to life again.

Another fun episode in the adventures of Allen Lorey as this historical fiction brings to life the prime years of wooden hull Sailing Warships in the late 1780's through the 1820's.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I’m Hooked

Indulging in my addiction- Alan Lewrie
Can’t get enough of his adventure
What will he be up to next?

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

And the beat goes on.

The story of Alan's maturation continues and certainly leaves the reader with baited breath in several places. The sex is somewhat gratuitous but does not take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great

A good story. Third in the series. Each book gets Even better. Can’t wait to start number four.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Part of a terrific series

Would you consider the audio edition of The King's Commission to be better than the print version?

I think the narrated version is excellent

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alan Lewrie because it is his story.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any of the scenes at sea.

Any additional comments?

I am half way through the series by now and each time I finish a book I cannot wait to get the next one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story. Another awesome adventure.

Great book, really painted Native Americans in a rare light. I wish mister John Lee didn't try to voice southern characters. Being from the South, I find his attempt degrading and all southern characters come off as idiots.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Book number three is just as good as the first two

Would you consider the audio edition of The King's Commission to be better than the print version?

I had read this book about seven years ago while recovering from surgery. I read everything in the series that I could buy at the B & N store down the street and around the corner. I ordered all the books they didn't have from someplace else (don't remember). So much has changed in the years since then.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters that come and go are well developed. The action is well discribed.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

No favorite.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

The King's Commission

This is my first book by Dewey Lambdin. I love sailing stories of the 1700's so I am surprised I had not discovered this author before this. The action was fast and the march in the swamps of Florida had me scratching insect bites. The only thing I did not like about the book was all the sex and going from women to women every time Alan was on land. John Lee did a great job narrating the book. Excellent English accents. An added plus was Lord Nelson in the story.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great naval historical

Any additional comments?

What a nice surprise! I have been looking for a new historical series for some time and this one is a hit. I bought and listened to the second in the series immediately after finishing this one and downloaded the next 2 in the series. Of course...John Lee is usually very good but he was great in this one.

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2 people found this helpful