The Complete Midshipman Bolitho (The Bolitho Novels, Volume 1) [Paperback]

Alexander Kent (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2006

Three novels in one! Sixteen-year-old Richard Bolitho joins the British Royal Navy as a young midshipman. Follow his adventures as he undergoes a severe initiation into the dangerous world of the great sailing warships! 1. Richard Bolitho: Midshipman 1772: a young Richard Bolitho joins the 74-gun Gorgon. Naive and untested, Bolitho must learn the ways of the navy quickly if he is to survive. 2. Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger 1773: Bolitho returns home to Cornwall for Christmas, but smuggling, ship wrecking and witchcraft tear apart his once-peaceful community. 3. Band of Brothers 1774: Bolitho stands on the brink of manhood and takes his examination to begin his true career as a King's Officer. But soon he must test his mettle against vicious smugglers!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alexander Kent, pen name of Douglas Edward Reeman, joined the British Navy at 16, serving on destroyers and small craft during World War II, and eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. He has taught navigation to yachtsmen and has served as a script adviser for television and films. His books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: McBooks Press (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590131274
• ISBN-13: 978-1590131275
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Slice of Navy Life -- From 1772, November 27, 2007

By 

Richard Schneider (Catonsville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Midshipman Bolitho (The Bolitho Novels, Volume 1) (Paperback)

I recently got "The Complete Midshipman Bolitho," my first taste of the Bolitho series, and I am impressed. Having read completely through the Aubrey-Maturin 21-book series writtten by that most iconographic of historical fiction writers, Patrick O'Brian, I was prepared for something of a letdown in this series. Not so! I have been turning pages compulsively since I opened the cover. This book combines the first three chapters in Richard Bolitho's naval career ("Midshipman Bolito'" "Midshipman Bolitho and The Avenger" and "Band of Brothers"), and I'm left wanting more.

It is clear that I will have to chew my way through the entire series in order to satisfy my craving for Richard Bolitho's further adventures.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, July 10, 2008

By 

Dr J (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Midshipman Bolitho (The Bolitho Novels, Volume 1) (Paperback)

This is the omnibus edition of the first three Richard Bolitho novels by Alexander Kent (Midshipman Bolitho, Bolitho and the Avenger, and Band of Brothers). The first two were written decades ago, but Band of Brothers only a couple years ago. I am not sure why kent waited so long to wrap up Bolitho's career as a Midshipman. Well, he finally did and this is the way it should have been from the start. Since each book by itself was rather short, this collection is not too big. We get a clear picture of our hero as he begins his ascent up the rank ladder. There is a lot of action. For anyone who wants battles and plot twists, this is the series for you. Kent doesn't bore the reader with unnecessary descriptions. Everything moves along at a good pace. A great introduction to the naval fiction genre.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Midshipman Bolitho, August 21, 2009

By 

Don Hathorn - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Midshipman Bolitho (The Bolitho Novels, Volume 1) (Paperback)

I am a big fan of Hornblower and was not sure what beginning this series with a new "hero" would be like. Would I enjoy him or would I spend too much time compairng Bolitho with Hornblower. Frankly, I did at first but by the time I got to the third novel or section I was hooked and quite anxious to turn the page see where and what Bolitho was up to and I was not disappointed as he worked himself through his personal relationships and realized his leadership potential and charisma.

The author does well in laying out the scenes so that you can easily see in your mind all that is taking place. He also shows a very good knowledge of all things nautical and picked up the essence of His Britanic Majesty's Navy during the late 1700's.

This is a good read.