A New Novel - Under Enemy Colors

warshipguy wrote:

Thank you all for these recommendations.  I have read the Julian Stockwin "Kydd" series to date, albeit with some disappointment.  Searat12 points out that all of these series deal with the Royal Navy; I would add that they also deal with officers only.  I was excited with the first few "Kydd" books because he was a pressed man not an officer.  But, in an unlikely series of events, he not only rises to the quarterdeck, he also rises to command . There is also a series by James L. Nelson dealing with the Continental Navy during the American Revolution with a main character named Isaac Biddlecombe.  Eric, talk about a different perspective!  The Royal Navy are the bad guys! Bill Morrison

  I'll check that one out; thanx Bill!

I have read the Patrick O'Brien and the Alexander Kent series at least five times each, the Dudley Pope series 3 times, the Dewey Lambdin series 3 times so far (to me the best), Hornblower only once, and the Julian Stockwin series 3 times.

I have also read Tom Clancy's "Patrick Ryan" books about 5 times each, and the Caine Mutiny 4 times.  I will move on to those other books mentioned in this thread!

Bill Morrison

All great suggestions, will add them to my reading queue.. Im still not done with O'Brian series,as I alternate them with the "land-based"  Napoleonic era Sharpe series by Cornwell.

Fav Clancy one is Red Storm Rising... would make a great movie now that you can CGA complex battles/equipment. Larry Bonds' first three full novels are the best modern warfare fiction books I have read (he collaborated with Clancy on RSR). Lots of modern naval warfare action in those books...

Patrick Robinson's modern sub-based fiction books are good, but the latest ones are sort of silly.

And my wife and kids enjoyed the Hornblower series on DVD, very well done actually....

I can't tell you how many times I have read the Patrick OBrian Aubrey series, which to my mind is the absolute best in the Napoleonic seadog books (and that includes C.S. Forester and the rest).  I think I reread this whole series about once a year!  Of course, there many other books outside of those involving ships that I read, some of them multiple times (I am particularly fond of the 'Flashman' series too).... Some of the best and most entertaining 'history' of the 19th century that's ever been written!

While on this subject are there any books you've read multiple times? I've read the following books several times:

Travels with Charley - John Steinbeck (3  times) BTW I will be traveling across country in MY 1960 GMC just like he did on the first year of my retirement 2012. The truck will be well finished by then.

All of the Tom Clancy - Jake Ryans series at least twice and "Execuctive Orders" 4 times, Gee I wish we could have a leader like that!

The Caine Mutiny - 2 times

What have you got?

Sounds interesting, I wasnt aware of the series.

I enjoy Patrick O Brian's books, but I must admit I like non-combat novels from chaps like Joeseph Conrad much more. Nigger of the Narcissus and Typhoon are my favourite 'sea' stories. Still, you've got to admire a writer who can write with historical authority AND tell a good story too, a lot can't!

Will

Thank you all for these recommendations.  I have read the Julian Stockwin "Kydd" series to date, albeit with some disappointment.  Searat12 points out that all of these series deal with the Royal Navy; I would add that they also deal with officers only.  I was excited with the first few "Kydd" books because he was a pressed man not an officer.  But, in an unlikely series of events, he not only rises to the quarterdeck, he also rises to command .

There is also a series by James L. Nelson dealing with the Continental Navy during the American Revolution with a main character named Isaac Biddlecombe.  Eric, talk about a different perspective!  The Royal Navy are the bad guys!

Bill Morrison

There are so many series dealing with the Napoleonic wars of varying quality (and always from an English standpoint), I have often wondered why no-one has ever considered writing something similar, but during the Anglo-Dutch wars..........

Some months back I discovered another one:  Alexander Fullerton.  He's a Royal Navy veteran who writes about WWI and WWII, tracing several related characters through both conflicts.  The first volume, The Blooding of the Guns, contains one of the more vivid - and scrupulously accurate - accounts of the Battle of Jutland I've ever encountered.  Apparently the Fullerton books have been well-known to British readers for a couple of decades, but I have the impression that they've only been getting widespread distribution in the U.S. fairly recently.  They're available as reasonably-priced paperbacks.  Here's a link to the first one: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Blooding-of-the-Guns/Alexander-Fullerton/e/9781569472590/?itm=38 .  Barnes and Noble apparently doesn't have any new copies (maybe it's gone out of print), but used ones are cheap - and common.  Highly recommended.

warshipguy wrote:

Thank you for this notice!  I have read, re-read, and re-re-read my Alan Lewrie, Jack Aubrey, Lord ramage, Kydd, and Bolitho novels ad infinitum and am desparate for a new series! Bill Morrison

You should explore the novels of David Donachie, Julien Stockwin and Richard Woodman, all excellent authors writing nautical historical fiction series. They don't come much better than these. There are a host of older and new authors writing in the field now. Try going to the Mac Books web site. WS

Thank you for this notice!  I have read, re-read, and re-re-read my Alan Lewrie, Jack Aubrey, Lord ramage, Kydd, and Bolitho novels ad infinitum and am desparate for a new series!

Bill Morrison