London: Bloomsbury, (2005). SIGNED hardcover first edition - The author's first novel, set in 1800 during the Napoleonic Wars. The adventures of a 14 year old boy forced to join the British Royal Navy, where he is told he will be a powder monkey on board - that is, he will carry the powder from the barrels to the men standing by the cannons on deck. SIGNED by the author on the title page. Small illustrations at the head of each chapter, illustrated endpapers with a drawing of the Frigate Miranda. 276 pp plus notes on sources. ISBN: 0-747577048.