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R. L. Crossland
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The Abalone Ukulele: A Tale of Far Eastern Intrigue Hardcover – June 29, 2021

by R L Crossland (Author)
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The Abalone Ukulele: A Tale of Far Eastern Intrigue is an historical novel set in 1913 Shanghai, where four cultures are about to collide: China, Korea, Japan, and the US. The point of collision is three tons of Japanese gold ingots meant to undermine an already collapsing China.
 
Three ordinary men, a disgraced Korean tribute courier, a bookish naval officer, and a polyglot third-class quartermaster realize they must foil Japanese subversion and -- with sub rosa assistance from Asiatic Station -- highjack that gold to finance a Korean insurrection. Three ordinary women complicate, and complement, their efforts: an enigmatic changsan courtesan, a feisty Down East consular clerk, and a clever Chinese farm-girl.
 
It is a tale that wends through the outskirts of Peking to the Yukon River; from the San Francisco waterfront to a naval landing party isolated on a Woosung battlefield; from ships of the US Asiatic Fleet moored on Battleship Row to a junk on the Yangtze; and from the Korean gold mines of Unsan to a coaling quay in Shanghai. Soon a foreign intelligence service, a revolutionary army, and two Chinese triads converge on a nation's ransom in gold.
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  1. Print length
    370 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    New Academia Publishing/ The Spring
  4. Publication date
    June 29, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.88 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1735937878
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1735937878
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"R.L. Crossland's The Abalone Ukulele is a masterclass in historical fiction. With painstaking research and a gift for story spinning, Crossland brings to brilliant life a sprawling epic of greed, gold, and redemption. Crossland's gift for converting historic details into character and narrative makes The Abalone Ukulele an immersive read."
-- Joseph A. Williams, Author of Seventeen Fathoms Deep and The Sunken Treasure
*****
"Crossland's tale of shenanigans, greed, nobility, slivers of grace, propels across a geography
spanning Shanghai, the Klondike gold fields, and San Francisco's wharves. His characters are
elemental, with a commedia dell'arte quality. Occasionally details intrude on flow, but clues to a mystery are sprinkled skillfully throughout, keeping the reader turning the page."
-- Loretta Goldberg, Author of the award-winning novel, The Reversible Mask
*****
... Crossland's skill in spinning this yarn is quite commendable. He captures the chaos that was Shanghai in 1913 quite well, incorporating the competing military factions vying for power, the various criminal syndicates, the attempts to maintain law and order, and life in the bustling city itself. A haven for many bluejackets stationed on the USS Pluto, Madam Guan's "Lesser Shanghai Indian Club and Garter Society" on the Lane of Lingering Joy will be an important component in a quite complicated plot.
-- Dr. David Winkler, Staff Historian at the Naval Historical Foundation and current Charles Lindbergh Chair of Aerospace History at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
*****
This book is an interesting fictional read concerning a place and time at the forefront of a series of events that would envelop the world in war, the outcome of which still governs the world we live in. If Far Eastern history is of an interest to you, this is a must read.
-- Charles H. Bogart, "PowerShips" (The Magazine of Engine-Powered Vessels Published by the Steamship Historical Society of America)

*****
A first-rate historical tale . . . Crossland skillfully interweaves historical events and characters with fiction, providing an insightful, intimate look at a pivotal period in history. . . He infuses the deeply engrossing plot with the knowledge that lives become most vivid in small moments of connection, and reveals his ideas about love, morality, greed, and power play through his protagonists' tangled life stories. The prose is rich with emotion, empathy, and human drama, and Yi and others are compelling in their basic goodness. This ambitious, insightful, and intricately rendered story of individual struggles and international power play makes for a wholly compelling read. Crossland is an author to watch.
- The Prairies Book Review

HISTORICAL FICTION
THE ABALONE UKULELE: A TALE OF FAR EASTERN INTRIGUE BY R L CROSSLAND The Abalone Ukulele: A Tale of Far Eastern Intrigue by R L Crossland
BY THEPRAIRIESBOOKREVIEW on SEPTEMBER 13, 2021
A first-rate historical tale...
Crossland returns with this poignant historical about the temper and times of three ordinary men in the 1910s Shanghai. Three ordinary men, a disgraced Korean tribute courier, a bookish naval officer, and a polyglot third-class quartermaster, decide to come together to foil a Korean insurrection. But with China and Japan's involvement, the stakes are simply too high.
Crossland skillfully interweaves historical events and characters with fiction, providing an insightful, intimate look at a pivotal period in history. He infuses the deeply engrossing plot with the knowledge that lives become most vivid in small moments of connection, and reveals his ideas about love, morality, greed, and power play through his protagonists' tangled life stories.
The prose is rich with emotion, empathy, and human drama, and Yi and others are compelling in their basic goodness. This ambitious, insightful, and intricately rendered story of individual struggles and international power play makes for a wholly compelling read. Crossland is an author to watch. The Abalone Ukulele A Tale of Far Eastern Intrigue By R L Crossland

​

About the Author

With the benefit of thirty-five years' service, active and reserve, as a US Navy SEAL officer (two hot wars. one cold), Crossland has found projecting his grasp of naval intrigue one hundred years into the past an interesting challenge. Captain Crossland has written internationally on the subject of maritime unconventional warfare and includes U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings and the New York Times among his credits. His historical crime novel, Jade Rooster was awarded the Admiral David Glasgow Farragut Award for naval literature in 2008.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ New Academia Publishing/ The Spring (June 29, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1735937878
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1735937878
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.43 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.88 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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R. L. Crossland

R. L. Crossland

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With the benefit of thirty-five years’ service, active and reserve, as a U.S. Navy SEAL officer (two hot wars. one cold), Crossland has found projecting his grasp of naval intrigue one hundred years into the past an agreeable challenge.

Captain Crossland has written internationally on the subject of maritime unconventional warfare and includes U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings and the New York Times among his credits. His historical crime novel, Jade Rooster, received the Admiral David Glasgow Farragut Book Award for naval literature in 2008.

Recently The Abalone Ukulele was awarded the Admiral David Glasgow Farragut Book Award also.

In December of 2022, in recognition of his contribution to military and naval literature, and having been an actual combatant, or otherwise involved, in special operations in the Far East (Vietnam and nine trips to Korea) and Afghanistan, CAPT Crossland was awarded the Military Order of Saint Louis by the Saint Patrick's Priory of the autonomous US Grand Priory of the International Templar Organization (OSMTH).

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
47 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

BlacksmithSEAL
5.0 out of 5 stars Maritime historical fiction in the tradition of Patrick O'Brian
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
The ABALONE UKULELE, the most recent novel by Captain Roger Crossland USN (ret.), offers an intriguing look at a pivotal point in time on the far side of the Pacific Ocean – a period spanning some thirty years prior to World War One and little known outside of that immediate region. Captain Crossland has expertly interwoven historical events and personages with fictional events and heroic characters, providing a powerful and intimate look at the chessboard of international power play. The story is a skillfully woven interplay between four nations – China, Korea, Japan, and the United States of America – and presents readers with events as seen through the eyes of those directly engaged in the action. Trust, betrayal, political intrigue, and amazing heroics, performed by ordinary men and women faced with extraordinary circumstances, move through the story at an extraordinary pace.

Captain Crossland continues the fine tradition of maritime historical fiction established by renowned author, Patrick O’Brian, and leaves the reader turning the final page and hoping desperately that more will follow.

-Steve Robinson, Author of the book ‘NO GUTS, NO GLORY – Unmasking Navy SEAL Imposters’ (2002); a former enlisted US Navy SEAL whose service was contemporary with Captain Crossland.
5 people found this helpful
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Stephen T. Hazam
5.0 out of 5 stars A tale of action, intrigue, revenge and redemption across the Pacific Rim in the early 1900s
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
In his novel, The Abalone Ukulele, Captain R. L. Crossland has crafted a compelling tale of action and intrigue, taking us along a journey of revenge and redemption that touches both sides of the Pacific. Along the way we meet unforgettable fellow travelers that include “Skookum” Yi, Ephraim Coffin, Quartermaster Hobson, “Clementine”, “Professor” Draper, Miss Franconia Knapp, “Hellfire” Spuyten and others. Your attention will be rewarded as the various twists and turns of the pathways converge to reveal the machinations of individuals, organizations and national powers. Across two decades and thousands of miles, the story remains authentic to time and place. I most enjoyed the sharp portrayals of Crossland’s characters and the colorful descriptions of his varied landscapes. When I close my eyes, I can see them still.
4 people found this helpful
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Sandre Lamar
4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD PORTRAYAL OF THE ASIAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2024
It is well commendable how the depiction of the Asian culture is perfectly executed. The perfect pre-world war era is portrayed just fine.
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Art McCormick
5.0 out of 5 stars Maritime intrigue at its best!
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2021
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Having spent some time in the Navy, including a tour in Asia, I profoundly enjoyed reading R L Crossland's historical novel, Jade Rooster and enthusiastically looked forward to a sequel. Although it turned out to be years in the making, reading The Abalone Ukulele proved it was worth the wait.
Whether you're an Old Salt reliving memories, a young Striker anticipating excitement, or an Arm Chair Sailor vicariously sharing in naval maneuvers, Petty Officer Hobson and Lieutenant Junior Grade Draper will escort you through an international adventure complete with intrigue, mayhem, violence, friendship, and romance.
And best of all it comes wrapped in historically correct naval customs and traditions.
A must read for any fan of naval history written by someone with 35 years of US Navy service!
5 people found this helpful
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Mayang
3.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction with rich culture
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
This novel presents an engaging narrative with rich historical details, offering readers an immersive experience in 1913 Shanghai. I enjoyed the exploration of diverse cultures—Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and American—that was shown in the complex political landscape of early 20th-century China, portraying General Shih-kai Yuan's strategic shift from the Qing Dynasty to the Nationalists in 1911. Wanting the Chinese to dump all their yuan in favor of yen adds depth to the storyline, creating a captivating backdrop for the collision of these societies. The protagonist, Yi, brings a sense of loyalty, honor, and resilience to the plot, making him a relatable and admirable character.

I loved the accurate representation of the happenings in this story to fit the 20th-century China era. The suspense arising from political tension added a thrill that I loved. However, I found characters that were randomly introduced and discovered some gaps in the later life of the protagonist. These make me give this book only a 3 out of 5.
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Margaret D. Wakeman
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, naval history at it's best.
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
As an armchair sailor, naval stories that take you back in time in a realistic manner are always interesting. R L Crossland has captured a period in time that isn't that well known, but he fleshes it out in a tale that is always interesting to the reader. His characters have no end of complicated adventures, and keep the reader wondering right up to the finish. Highley recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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Capt K. W. Maxwell
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Intrigue
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
Wonderful reading experience
Delivers a true sense of adventure- mixed with historical events
A definite read for all mariners who dream of the days with the great white fleet
Brings to life the early 20th century Far East waterfronts.
3 people found this helpful
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Iselma Kruger
4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping historical fiction
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2023
The author managed to transport readers to an entirely new world with his vivid landscapes and storylines. All of the characters are very well developed, and despite their glaring flaws, the author managed to create a vast amount of empathy in the reader. The book’s historical background seems to have been very well-researched and accurate, and the author must have put a lot of effort into creating his various storylines in as true a fashion as possible. I applaud the author for that.
One person found this helpful
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