Men of Sorrows

This is an entertaining novel interweaving fact and fiction about the true life adventures of the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers who ruled the south coast ports in the 18th century. Tax was due to be paid on all the most used commodities, like tea and brandy,to finance unpopular foreign wars. One way of avoiding this and making large amounts of money was smuggling the goods from France. Arthur Gray and his young brother Will become the leaders of the Gang,always keeping one step ahead of the authorities. Though both brothers are devoted to each other, they fall in love with the same girl, the beautiful high-born Beth. This is a very readable story of love, trust, comradeship and treachery set on the windswept acres of the Romney Marsh in Kent.