1usnmm2
Started to read Alaric Bond's His Majesty's Ship. Seems fairly good so far. I've ordered the second book The Jackass Frigate.
3RickSpilman
I enjoyed both his books. Vivid characterization and good pacing which is hard to manage with that many viewpoints, but Bond pulls it off.
4usnmm2
His Majesty's Ship by Alaric Bond
This is book #1 in Alaric Bond's "Fighting Sail Series". As an 'age of sail' story the action, tone and progression of the tale is on par with many other 'Age of Sail' books.
What makes this book different is the use of many characters and shifting point of views. You have the young boy that volunteers for service and is on a great adventure. The older men who were pressed into service and haven't been off the ship or see home in many years. Even some sailor's who belong to a clandestine group that is dedicated to the overthrow of England. A full gambit of officers from the older Midshipman who has almost no chance of making Lt.. To the Peer who has friends in high places, and one who has worked his way up from between decks.
With the many characters and shifting point views tends to make the ship and the sea going life the main characters in this story. This change in points of view is refreshing in a well worn age of sail genre.
After all there is only so many times you can follow Midshipman _________ to his rise to Admiral _______________. Don't get me wrong I've enjoyed every one of these series I've read (Hornblower, Bolitho, Ramage etc.). It's my feel good and safe genre. My comfort food of literature. But they can be a little repetitive. Anyway it's nice to see them handled in a little different and fresh way.
I have bought the 2nd book Jackass Frigate, which has met with good reviews. I hope Bond can keep it up.
This is book #1 in Alaric Bond's "Fighting Sail Series". As an 'age of sail' story the action, tone and progression of the tale is on par with many other 'Age of Sail' books.
What makes this book different is the use of many characters and shifting point of views. You have the young boy that volunteers for service and is on a great adventure. The older men who were pressed into service and haven't been off the ship or see home in many years. Even some sailor's who belong to a clandestine group that is dedicated to the overthrow of England. A full gambit of officers from the older Midshipman who has almost no chance of making Lt.. To the Peer who has friends in high places, and one who has worked his way up from between decks.
With the many characters and shifting point views tends to make the ship and the sea going life the main characters in this story. This change in points of view is refreshing in a well worn age of sail genre.
After all there is only so many times you can follow Midshipman _________ to his rise to Admiral _______________. Don't get me wrong I've enjoyed every one of these series I've read (Hornblower, Bolitho, Ramage etc.). It's my feel good and safe genre. My comfort food of literature. But they can be a little repetitive. Anyway it's nice to see them handled in a little different and fresh way.
I have bought the 2nd book Jackass Frigate, which has met with good reviews. I hope Bond can keep it up.
5pipester
(I'm new to this group, but I recognize a couple of shipmates from the Historic Naval Fiction forum.)
As I said in my reviews of Bond's two books, which agree with usnmm2, we are witnessing the birth of a new (and wonderful, IMO) model for historic naval fiction.
I understand that Bond has book three about finished, so we can look forward to reading it soon.
As I said in my reviews of Bond's two books, which agree with usnmm2, we are witnessing the birth of a new (and wonderful, IMO) model for historic naval fiction.
I understand that Bond has book three about finished, so we can look forward to reading it soon.
6varielle
I've been reading Memoirs of a Fighting Captain by the redoubtable Thomas Cochrane. I can see where Patrick O'Brien got some of his ideas. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
7Shrike58
Wrapped up Catastrophe at Spithead, an accounting of the loss of "Royal George" in 1782, and how one goes about having a capital ship founder in a protected harbor.
