Devil to Pay, by C. Northcote Parkinson
Filed under: book review, C. Northcote Parkinson, historical fiction, Main character, naval fiction, Richard Delancey
Devil to Pay is the first book published, but the second in chronological order, in the series about Richard Delancey. It was first published in 1973. The action in this book takes
Richard Delancey has had an undistinguished naval career, but he possesses a fluency in French that lands him a secret mission for the Admiralty. Through no fault of his own, the secret mission further tarnishes his reputation and prospects. It leads to a duel. Thus Delancey is once again casting about for fresh opportunity.
Seeking opportunity, he becomes involved in customs collection on the Isle of Wight, with a temporary command of a Revenue Service cutter. Doing this, he is very successful. As a result, he is given command of the 22-gun privateer Nemesis. This provides Delancey with opportunities for profit, and we follow him in several daring naval operations. He is a successful privateer commander. However, misfortune leaves him shipwrecked on the French coast. He attempts to escape through Spain, just as the Spanish are entering the war. The last part of the novel covers his flight through Spain, and action in Leon as he rejoins the Royal Navy.
Devil to Pay has lots of action, both on land and at sea. It is well written, and Richard Delancey is an interesting character that gets ahead by hard work and sound analytical thinking. I like this book and the series a lot, and do not hesitate to recommend it.
Read more about Richard Delancey!
Ramage’s Diamond, by Dudley Pope
Filed under: book review, Dudley Pope, historical fiction, Lord Ramage, Main character
Ramage has now been made post and is sent to the Caribbean as captain of the frigate HMS Juno. He takes over Juno from a captain that has been given court martial for drunkenness, and has to whip one of the sloppiest crews and ships he has ever seen into shape on the journey from England to Martinique. 
The main action takes place at Martinique in the summer of 1804.Having arrived, Ramage, as the most junior captain of the station, is assigned a seeming boring task. But with Ramage, it does not get boring: Rather he performs surprising actions on a routine basis (actually based on historical events, an action performed by Commodore Samuel Hood), and Ramage’s Diamond retells the story of a tremendous feat of martial engineering. As well, Ramage captures frigates and schooners, and quickly builds his own little fleet. Seeing the importance of controlling the shipping lanes in and out of Fort de France, he mounts batteries on a towering rock (the Diamond). Then, utilizing the batteries, and his little fleet, and some very clever tactics, he manages to defeat a much larger French fleet and supply convoy. Ramage sink, burns or captures the entire convoy!
This is an incredibly good and wonderful book. Generally the books in the Ramage series are of excellent quality and with lots of extremely interesting – sometimes ingenious – action. Even so, Ramage’s Diamond is a cut above the rest of the books in the series that I have read so far. An impressive book and a great joy to read, especially for people reading the whole series!
Send a Gunboat, by Douglas Reeman
Filed under: book review, Douglas Reeman, naval fiction
There are many heroes in this delightful old story 
Commander Justin Rolfe, another hero in this book, is also seemingly at the end of his useful naval life. He is an embittered man, brooding and angry from a court-martial verdict and after having been betrayed by his wife. When the offshore island of Santu is threatened with invasion from the Chinese mainland, Commander Rolfe, old Wagtail, and her crew, is assigned the mission of bringing out the British citizens on the island. It is a difficult job, but also a job that offers the chance of a reprieve and a restoration of self respect.
I loved this book! It took a little while before I really got into it, but after a hundred pages or so I had a hard time putting it away. Send a Gunboat tells a very good story about how danger and action draws together, changes, and unites the men involved in it by the skillful and very knowledgeable Reeman!
Sails on the Horizon, by Jay Worrall
Filed under: book review, Charles Egdemont, historical fiction, Jay Worrall, Main character, naval fiction
This is Worrall’s debut as a historical fiction writer. He tells the tale of Charles Edgemont, a very interesting and appealing hero who does 
In Sails on the Horizon, he starts out as a lowly lieutenant for a few pages. However, when his ship, the outdated line of the battle ship Argonaut, is ordered to sacrifice herself in an attempt to stall the Spanish fleet he is quickly elevated to master when his superiors fall in battle. Argonaut gives a good account of herself, even though she is completely wrecked. Edgemont refuses to strike his colors despite the overwhelming odds, and by holding out for a few crucial moments he influences the tide of the battle.
As a result of having done his job, young Charles finds himself a wealthy man due to the prize money he gets after the fight. As well, he is elevated to commander status on a permanent basis by Admiral Jarvis, even thought in his own eyes he does not deserve it.
He takes over a temporary command of a brig, whips her crew into shape and captures prizes while patrolling the Irish Sea. As well, he falls in love with a pretty and somewhat strange – but very interesting and beautiful – Quaker neighbor named Penelope Brown. And, being a rich man, he helps his brother out of his financial problems and buys himself a large property as well.
Aboard his new permanent command, the frigate, Louisa, Charles is assigned the task of making certain that the 40 gun Spanish frigate Santa Brigida is prevented from attacking British vessels outside the coast of Spain. As the Spanish ship outguns Charles frigate, he has to find a way of attacking the Spanish ship which can maximize his own odds, otherwise his chances will be slim indeed. He thinks he can see a way to do it, but will his plan hold?
Sails on the Horizon is very well-written, the battle scenes are engaging, the story is very appealing, and the hero and heroine are very likable. The book shows that Worrall has considerable expertise in ship and naval warfare history. The biggest minuses, to my mind, are perhaps that the plot is a little too smooth, and that there are some pretty historically unlikely events in the book. However, Sails on the Horizon is an excellent debut and a very, very entertaining read. Hardly a dull moment!
Mr Midshipman Fury, by G. S. Beard
Filed under: book review, G. S. Beard, historical fiction, naval fiction, recommendation
The year is 1792. We are at the start of the French Revolutionary Wars. John Thomas Fury he embarks on his first voyage as midshipman aboard the 32-gun frigate Amazon. His 
As Amazon heads to India, young midshipman Fury is involved in a dreadful shipboard accident, and he must work doubly hard to prove that he isn’t cursed just like his father. However, redemption is around the corner. On a mission from the Governor of India, the crew battle against a much stronger foe. Somewhere in the Indian Ocean a very powerful privateer is at work. Amazon must find and destroy her.
So, perhaps too soon Fury finds himself in charge of the gun deck in furious fighting. This is the spot where the leaders of men are forged. And Fury shows exceptional courage and coolness. And gradually the shadows of the past are banished and Fury’s naval career begins in glory as he becomes a leader of men.
Praise for Midshipman Fury:
“Here is a rollicking adventure…which will stir the sluggish blood of even the most pacific of readers.”
- – Daily Express“A lively page-turner. Beard shows that he can write about nautical action fluently, and there is always something going on as adventures fairly fall over each other once the ship sails into Indian waters”
–Historical Novels Review
See more G.S. Beard reviews.
The Baltic Gambit, by Dewey Lambdin
Filed under: Alan Lewrie, book review, Dewey Lambdin, historical fiction, naval fiction
In The Baltic Gambit, Alan Lewrie is faced with a courtroom showdown with the odious Beauman family and the lawsuit that has provided so much trouble for him. The first part of the book finds him on shore fighting this battle. And, of course, there are ladies on shore, and Alan Lewrie was 
Even so, the book is somewhat slow in picking up. Lewrie stays on land for the first 200 pages. In the Admiralty, when asking for a ship, he is even told in no uncertain terms that he shouldn’t count on ever commanding a ship again. Life is not very good to Lewrie! But finally, after a change of leadership in the Admiralty, he gets his ship, the frigate HMS Thermopylae. And now action soon moves to the Baltic area. As so many times before, the naval mission is yet again combined with a diplomatic task, and once again set up by his shadowy mentor, Zachariah Twigg.
The mission assigned to him is to transport two Russian noblemen from England to Russia. The purpose of the mission is to try to convince the Russian Czar to not enter into a state of armed neutrality aimed at Britain. As well, Alan Lewrie gets to meet Admiral Nelson and take part in the Copenhagen battle!
The Baltic Gambit is a new great book from Lambdin – very interesting!
Read more reviews of Alan Lewrie’s adventures at Leserglede!
. Link to amazon US: Dewey Lambdin
. Link to amazon CAN: Dewey Lambdin
.Band of Brothers, by Alexander Kent
Filed under: Alexander Kent, book review, historical fiction, Main character, Richard Bolitho
Band of Brothers, which deals with events taking place in 1774, was written fairly late in the sequence (see above), and was probably written to fill in more background about Richard Bolitho. Here, Bolitho 
The book may also be viewed as an answer to the question of “What happened to Midshipman Martyn Dancer?” This is a question his readers have nagged him for 30 years to solve. And here we are, indeed, told of Dancer’s fate.
As a midshipman in Band of Brothers, the young Bolitho again demonstrates his trademarks as a man are not limited to bravery, leadership, and seamanship. Already here he displays the compassion for those who serve under him that so clearly distinuishes him from many of his contemporaries, and which grows to legendary proportions in later novels as his rank and responsibility grow.
A good – not great – book that plays an important part in the series!
Read more about Richard Bolitho at Leserglede!
Seaflower, by Julian Stockwin
Filed under: Fiction, Julian Stockwin, naval fiction
This is the third book in Stockwin’s series (it follows Artemis)about Thomas Paine Kydd and his friend Nicholas Renzi. Both Kydd and Renzi are now wiser and more seasoned seadogs than before.
This tale moves quickly from the grim 
Seaflower provides a good and detailed account of shipboard life in the late 18th century from the point of view of the common sailor. It’s all here – the cramped conditions, the disgusting food, the undeserved punishment and cruelty of some of the officers, and unremitting toil – and well described as well!
There is a lot of action in this book – both on land and sea. And there is romance, sea battles, tales of cynical exploitation of seamen as well as a breathless episode set in a wild hurricane. The fast action and a good plot, along with the fact that Stockwin’s writing is improving with each new book, all help to make Seaflower the best Kydd novel yet. Very promising for the series, and a nice and entertaining tale!
Read more reviews of Julian Stockwin‘s books!
, Praise for Julian Stockwin’s books:
‘I was soon turning over the pages almost indecently fast … Roll on, the promised adventures of Kydd and Renzi.’ (Independent)
‘The vantage point of the common sailor gives the nautical novel a fresh twist. In Stockwin’s hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world.’ (Guardian)
A King’s Trade (Alan Lewrie-series), by Dewey Lambdin
Filed under: Alan Lewrie, book review, Fiction, naval fiction
I am a lover of books. Among the books I love the most to read, are historical novels. Master & Commander, Sword Song, Masters of Rome, and more, are among my favorites. And to me, there is hardly anything more romantic, intriguing, exotic and interesting then a great naval novel, of course about the British navy during the era of sail.
And the series entitled The Naval Adventures of Alan Lewrie by Dewey Lambdin is among my favorites. Great, joyful reading. Rough, tough, hard Navy guys, sailing, the life at sea, great sea battles. I love it!
Alan Lewrie is the main character is this series of books. He is a brash, impetuous ladies’ man and general rakehell. He’s also an officer in the Royal Navy where his bravery and quick thinking bring him success as often as they land him in hot water.
From a young midshipman who develops a love for naval artillery to captain of a dashing frigate, Lewrie moves up the ranks as he samples the pleasures of the world and makes his mark as a King’s officer!
Great book and a lovely series overall! If you like naval historical fiction, go check it out!
. Link to amazon US: Dewey Lambdin. Link to amazon CAN: Dewey Lambdin.Genghis: Birth of an Empire, by Conn Iggulden
Filed under: book review, Conn Iggulden, Genghis Khan, historical fiction, International bestseller, Main character, recommendation
I have a passion for historical fiction. Conn Iggulden’s Genghis: Birth of an Empire (which published in the UK as Wolf of the Plains
Iggulden has been inspired by Secret History of the Mongols: The Origin of Chingis Khan
This book is the first of a series about Genghis Khan. Still, it has both the plot and the content to be read as a standalone novel. And there is nothing unresolved by the end. Iggulden weaves a spellbinding story of an exotic and “unforgiving land” and the enigmatic young man — charismatic, a brilliant tactician and capable “of utter ruthlessness” — who sets out to tame it.
The future conqueror Temujin, the name meaning a man of iron, is born to the khan (ruler) of a hard Mongol tribe that roams central Asia’s steppes in the 12th century. The Mongols are constantly warring with the Tartars, while both parties are influenced by and manipulated by the Chinese.
When his father is killed by Tartar raiders, a rival claims the tribe, assumes the title of Khan, and banishes Temujin’s family. Left behind without resources when the tribe migrates, the family struggles with nature and enemies to survive in the harsh environment. Thus Temujin is hardened and becomes a hard and tough warrior.
But, having been raised as a Khan’s son, he still dreams of being Khan – he even feels destined to become one – and starts gathering outcasts into a new tribe. Then he begins raiding Tartar camps. And as his fame spreads, Temujin launches an ambitious campaign to unite the Mongol tribes “after a thousand years of warfare” into a single people, defeat the Tartars and invade China.
This is a really epic piece of work. To research it, Iggulden even spent time in Mongolia, and it shows. One of the strengths of “Genghis” lie in Iggulden’s depiction of the extremely harsh Mongolian landscape and the life scraped out by its inhabitants. Genghis: Birth of an Empire is a gem of historical fiction – very, very entertaining at the same time as it is illuminating and educational. I strongly recommend it!
and The Secret History of the Mongols: The Origin of Chingis Khan (C & T Asian Culture Series)
at amazon UK, amazon US: Genghis Khan, and amazon CAN: Iggulden: Genghis and The Secret History of the Mongols: The Origin of Chingis Khan
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