Nick of Time

For anybody who loves Robert Louis Stevenson and/or historical fiction, I highly recommend Nick of Time by Ted Bell. The title of the book is appropriate in two ways. First of all, Nick has the tendency to come to the rescue or make important decisions in the "nick of time," as the phrase goes. However, the title takes on a whole new meaning when one day Nick finds a sea chest with a time machine inside. Nick literally becomes able to master time and thereby becomes "Nick of Time."

The story takes place in pre-WWII on the Greybeard Island in the English Channel. Nick's father is a spy for Winston Churchill and is keeping watch for Nazi submarines until the government becomes displeased with this "un-asked for" assignment and decides to relocate the entire family to the mainland. Just as this is happening, Nick finds a sea chest from the early 1800s in perfect condition on the beach. That same day he encounters pirates that look like they've come from the early 1800s as well. Only later does Nick discover the chest was sent to him by one of his ancestors, imploring him to travel back in time and save his ancestor's ship and warn Lord Admiral Nelson of the upcoming battle at Trafalgar. Suddenly, Nick and his sister are caught up in two different wars with two deadly enemies in two different times.

Nick of Time deals with the classic morals of honor and heroism. Because Nick has done a lot of reading, he has always imagined what it would be like to be a hero. As he is plunged into the heat of battle, he learns exactly what heroism requires. Heroism and honor both require tremendous sacrifice, especially when the sacrifice seems impossible. Reading the book made me think about my own honor and heroism and has given me the desire to live in an honorable and heroic way. A mark of a good book is one that makes you a better person by having read it. Nick of Time easily fulfills this qualification.

I don't want to give anything else away, but I will say that I could hardly put the book down. It is an adventure story that is extremely well-written and well-told. Again, Ted Bell is a modern Robert Louis Stevenson. His fantastic descriptions made me feel like I was in the heat of the battle as two ships waged war against each other. I could almost taste the gunpowder in the air and hear the sound of swords clashing and the screams of the dying men. Absolutely amazing! I cannot imagine anybody being disappointed with this book. I bought it on a whim and I must say that it has been my best purchase so far this year. It has earned its proud place on my bookshelf, though I can guarantee it won't have much time to collect dust before I decide to read it again.