"Acclaimed, award-winning author James L. Nelson - praised as "a master of both his period and the English language" by Patrick O'Brian - returns to the world of sea and sail in this page-turning historical novel. Jack Biddlecomb has much to live up to, being as he is the eldest son of the esteemed Captain Isaac Biddlecomb, wealthy merchant captain, leading light of the War for American Independence, and newly-minted congressman. Jack finds himself off to a promising start, however, when he's given command of the merchant vessel Abigail bound from Philadelphia for Barbados. But even before the docklines are cast off, the voyage, which should have been routine, begins to look like a stormy passage indeed. Jack is saddled with two passengers, one as unpleasant as he is highborn, the other a confidant of the Abigail's owner who cannot help but meddle in the running of the ship. What's more, with the French making prizes of American merchantmen, Abigail's owner has armed the ship and instructed Jack to fight if need be, thrusting the first-time captain and his small crew into a naval war for which they are totally unprepared. What Jack does not know, but soon begins to suspect, is that he is being used as part of a bigger plot, one that will have repercussions on an international scale"--,Provided by publisher.

"Jack Biddlecomb, son of Isaac Biddlecomb, the protagonist of James L. Nelson's popular Revolution at Sea Saga, finds himself taking command of the merchant vessel Abigail bound for Barbados. With the French making prizes of American merchant ships, the Abigail's owner has outfitted the ship with guns and instructed Jack to fight if need be to keep his ship out of French hands. What Jack does not know, though his passengers do, is that he is being used as part of a bigger plot, one that will have repercussions on an international scale. The French Prize is a page-turning work of historical fiction, focusing on the Age of Sail and the struggle of the new-found nation of the United States to assert its independence in a world at war and against the great powers of Europe"--,Provided by publisher.