This slim volume adds to our understanding of the career of a naval officer at the turn of the nineteenth century. It is the result of lengthy and full research; little if anything was missed. The importance of the book is that it examines the naval career of an average officer, who happened to be there for three major fleet actions and the capture of a rich prize. It will appeal to anyone interested in officer development during the era of Nelson, and more broadly, the activities of the British navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

The Northern Mariner/Le marin du nord (Vol. 33, Nos 3 and 4).

"The Isle of Man has been waiting a long time for a biography of Quilliam in this depth, but the wait has been worthwhile..."

Isle of Man Studies - Vol.XVIII 2023

From historical records, the authors provide an almost complete timeline of his naval career and strip away the inaccuracies and myths surrounding him. They incorporate maps, illustrations, and end notes, as well as a bibliography, glossary, and index.

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Pirates and Privateers

The three writers each bring a unique perspective, united in their belief that this story should be shared with a wider audience.

RNLI's magazine "Lifeboat"

"One of the most intriguing books of the year about the Navy in the age of sail. Favourite of Fortune deserves its place on on the shelf of every scholar or enthusiast of the period."

1805 Club's Kedge Anchor magazine - Autumn 2021

This biography is a worthy read about a Royal Navy officer who was rather unique in his profession; not only a master at commanding a sailing man of war at sea and in combat, but also a master of the technology of building, maintaining and refitting the complex machinery of sailing warships. He was truly styled a favourite of Fortune.

Nautical Research Journal

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Portsmouth Napoleonic Society

Fascinating

As ‘one of the most important men on the Quarterdeck of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar’, it might seem odd that we’ve had to wait till now for this fascinating portrait of a hitherto less well-known sailor of the Nelsonian/Napoleonic era.

This is as much a study of the colourful period as its chief subject, thanks to the latter’s presence at three key battles, Camperdown, Copenhagen and Trafalgar, and his experiences of the many aspects/theatres - from China and the Mediterranean, to the Caribbean tropics, the frozen seas of the Baltic, or the iceberg strewn North Atlantic coast of Canada - at a time when the Royal Navy, thanks to men like Quilliam, helped Great Britain achieve global superpower status, via maritime dominance.

The narrative part of the book is just shy of 150 pages, and is augmented by two sections of illustrations, plus several maps (and, always useful for us landlubbers, a glossary!). It’s a quick, easy, gripping and exciting read. And it’s a great credit to the three - yes, three! - authors that it reads very smoothly, like the work of one mind/hand.

Worried that this was possibly a bit too specialist or obscure, I was very pleasantly surprised by this excellent book. If you find the ‘age of sail’ fascinating, as I do, I’d thoroughly recommend Favourite of Fortune.

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A Question of Scale

This is an excellent biography and although the product of three authors it reads seamlessly and is highly recommended.

Peter A. Clayton, The Nelson Society - The Nelson Dispatch, Volume 14, Summer 2021

The book is well produced, the illustrations well-chosen, and the maps splendid, particularly those relating to the Baltic, Newfoundland, and the voyage to China, which assist the reader greatly in following the narrative. The book is evidently a labour of love. Two of the authors claim descent from Quilliam and his wife. The third is the renowned historian Professor Andrew Lambert who having lectured on Quilliam’s service after Trafalgar was approached to write a biography but insisted on it being a tripartite venture. A generous decision which one can only hope is followed by more leading historians. A splendid read with a particularly useful glossary. Highly recommended.

John Morewood, The Waterloo Association

Video review via YouTube

Dr Alexander Clarke