MEEHEEVEE

Presumably, this is intended for a juvenile, as the publisher is, so far as I know, a juvenile publisher only. But any librarian who had this thrust upon her for the children's room, would promptly turn tail and flee. The background might have been fascinating, -- the story is based on the second cruise of the S.S. Essex, during the War of 1812, the capture of the British whalers off the Chilian coast, the battle with the British frigates and the defeat of the Essex. But M'Keever's career, first as seaman, than as acting lieutenant, depicts the less wholesome side of sailors' lives, with rum and women given more than their share of prominence. The writing is third rate -- the story of pulp calibre. Warning librarians -- steer clear.