If you're a general history buff, or a fan of Napoleonic wars, the Hornblower Series or the Aubrey-Maturin series, you will like this book. It appears well researched and documented- the story line is just a bit scattered, but so is the topic. East India Company, Admiral Pellew (the real one), hurricanes, battles, life on an Indiaman ship and a better understanding of France and England in the early 1800's. (Imagine 200 soldiers and sailors living for months inside a space the size of a mid sized American house). Overall a very good read.