Peter Simple (1834) is a novel by Frederick Marryat. Inspired by the
author's experience as a captain in the Royal Navy, Peter Simple is a
tale of bravery, foolishness, and the manifold reasons for men to take
to the high seas. Frequently funny, often profound, Marryat's novel is
an underappreciated classic of nineteenth century fiction. "If I cannot
narrate a life of adventurous and daring exploits, fortunately I have no
heavy crimes to confess: and, if I do not rise in the estimation of the
reader for acts of gallantry and devotion in my country's cause, at
least I may claim the merit of zealous and persevering continuance in my
vocation." Rejected by his aristocratic family, Peter Simple sets out to
sea to prove himself as a midshipman in the Royal Navy. As he rises
through the ranks with the help of a veteran sailor and makes a name for
himself during the fierce fighting of the Napoleonic Wars, Peter
discovers new depths to his fortitude and experiences things he would
never have seen on land. Adapted for a 1957 BBC television series,
Peter Simple is considered one of the most accurate portrayals of
naval life during the Napoleonic era. With a beautifully designed cover
and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frederick
Marryat's Peter Simple is a classic of British literature reimagined
for modern readers.