Your average naval story, Wheel of Fortune depicts the ordeals of surviving on a steamship cruising the open seas. Fraught with drama, all-too-real characters, and intrigue, Patterson has written a story many fans will be quite smitten with.

Originally written & published in 1955, The Wheel of Fortune follows the maritime adventuring of the young John Baxter.

The exceptionally descriptive prose emmerses you in the differing sights, sounds & smells, both at sea and on land at each port of call.

I found this to be a bit of a slow burner, but when viewed for what it is; can be appreciated as an insight into writing of another era.