Book Blurb:
Frederick Townsend Ward and the Taiping Rebellion. The story primarily covers the years 1860-1862 in Shanghai, Imperial China. The Taiping Rebellion began circa 1850 and lasted until 1864 and could well be the bloodiest conflict in world history. Frederick Townsend Ward was an American adventurer when he came on the scene in 1860, Shanghai, China. Single handed he helped save and transform China.Book Buy Link:
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/z11gRJR
Editorial Review:
Editorial Review: “A Twice Burning Candle at Full Pelt” (Part One)
Author: William Mace
“Ward could drink his full measure, I had seen such on a few occasions, but it was not his habit or style to do it often, at least in quantity and never once did I ever see him out of control. Not once. Never living in and out of the bottle, nor was it his manner to overdo it but once in a blue moon. Tonight was such a blue moon and when happening, the drinking, it was but a singular event… until the next time. Nothing in the short time during the aforementioned years was he ever exaggerated of himself in any manner whatsoever. Yet, in all the time I knew the man, ever on, he was forever driven of a passionate unquenchable fervour to life on the edge and adventure in the full.
Prepare to be completely immersed in 19th century Imperial China, with its upheaval and rebellion and danger and the overwhelming sense of the exotic. “A Twice Burning Candle at Full Pelt” by William Mace is centered around Frederick Townsend Ward and the chaos of the Taiping Rebellion, with a focus on the early 1860s. Ward was an American adventurer who came to Shanghai in about 1860, and the story is told primarily from the first person point of view of one of his associates, a junior officer. This writing style grabs the reader immediately, seamlessly merging personal asides, military battles, and historical background into a fascinating page turner. Alcohol also plays a part, as Ward and his followers dice daily with risk and death, and then, as one might politely put it, “let off some steam.”
There is much politeness in this novel, as the narrator’s “voice” is of the times, with multiple adjectives, somewhat florid descriptions and casual references that some modern readers may blink at. But that is all part of the experience in reading a book such as this; dry analytical history can be found elsewhere. “A Twice Burning Candle at Full Pelt” is a swashbuckling yarn, leaving the reader in no doubt as to Ward’s larger than life persona as he navigates turbulent times and an intriguing but unfamiliar culture. The cruelty of war is starkly portrayed, and the novel is not for the faint of heart. But those readers who love tales of different times, of human weakness and hope and striving for something more – that is, surely all of us who read this genre – will thrive on the intimate portrayal of what it must have been like to be away from home, balancing derring-do with the ever present unknown future.
It is always a reality check to know that such a story is based on fact, and that the pivotal historical figure of Ward did exist, and is not merely a figment of the author’s imagination. Ward’s character is richly depicted, with both strengths and weaknesses, and the reader gets a real sense of “the man” rather than a formulaic rendition. The author balances both a sense of adventure with a genuine element of poignancy, particularly as the story progresses.
“More than not, the pirate eight pounders, when firing, had been going over our heads by a few feet or more. They knew not how to time their aim on a rolling sea. There was also a lack of frequency of the pirate musket and cannon firing which led me to wonder about their ammunition availability, since it was a slower repetition than what I expected. I could tell that their gunners were not that good, but I now suspected that they had a lesser supply of powder and ball to sustain or maintain a shootout of the present type situation. Could they run out of shot on this venture?”
Those readers with an existing knowledge of the Rebellion and the era will enjoy reading “A Twice Burning Candle” for its detailed references, and the authoritative treatment of the conflict and surrounding catalysts. Other readers may prefer some level of introductory material so they can get the full benefit of the storyline. This reviewer, although not overly familiar with this aspect of Chinese history, was compelled to read further resources, from personal interest, after reading this novel – surely the mark of a good book! Because of the first-person approach employed by the author, some readers may find that the narrative wanders a little from a strict chronological pattern, but that is the case when any of us listen to a story told by a raconteur friend (who may or may not have had access to the aforementioned alcohol)!
“The same had happened with the second wave as said, just before the arrival of a third group, the reserves of which my men were a part. The last of the men were now streaming through a destroyed gate and into the city just as we were carrying Ward away. I did notice through the many swinging torches, from my direct line of sight, that there was a second gate directly behind the first and it too was in a fractured shambles. Thank the gods for artillery and gunpowder, plus the competent wielders of this fire and destruction.”
“A Twice Burning Candle at Full Pelt” by William Mace s an absorbing read. Whether or not the reader is familiar with Frederick Townsend Ward and his significant and/or overlooked impact on Chinese history, the rich characterization and authentic first person narrative create a highly memorable, and entertaining, reading experience.
*****
“A Twice Burning Candle at Full Pelt” by William Mace receives 4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
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