The First to Land [Hardcover]

Douglas Reeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1985

1899, China. The Mandarins are becoming troublesome again and there are rumors that attacks will soon begin on British trade missions and legations. Captain David Blackwoodof the Royal Marines, received a VC in the bloody battle for Benin, Africa but is now being packed off to this apparent backwater.But there are plenty of troubles in store for Blackwood in the shape of an errant nephew and a beautiful German Countess who insists he personally escort her up river on a small steamer into the heart of the country.China is a sleeping tiger that will soon awake when the Boxer Rebellion erupts into bloody war in 1900. True to their motto, the Royal marines are the first to land – and the last to leave.This is the second novel in the Blackwood saga, spanning 150 years in the history of a great seafaring family and the tradition in which they served.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" 'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' Sunday Times" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Douglas Edward Reeman, a contemporary British writer, joined the British Navy at 16, serving on destroyers and small craft during World War II and eventually rising to lieutenant. He also has taught navigation to yachtsmen, and has served as president of the British Sailors Society and as a script adviser for television and films. Under the pseudonym, Alexander Kent, Reeman is the author of the best-selling 25-volume series of Richard Bolitho Novels. His books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 294 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (March 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068804509X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688045098
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,125,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reeman has no equal, July 29, 2010

By 

Max de Bruyn "Book Addict" (Chatham, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First to Land (The Royal Marines Saga) (Paperback)

Douglas Reeman is a master of his genre. No he does not provide the historical oratory of Cromwell and does not let you hear the shrill of the bosun pipe or the smack of unfurling sail like an O'Brien but he tells a very human tale in exciting circumstances. His characters are as you would find them in a real military context.

If you have ever been in or exposed to a military life, his books will resonate. They are of the right size to truly be a "pocket book". You will find his novels in many back pockets or otherwise disposed by those who are "on watch" or "on leave". Each installment comes to a satisfactory conclusion and takes you along for a quick military venture. In other words, entertainment.

In "First to Land" he continues from "Badge of Glory" with the story of the Royal Marines of Great Britain, through the annals of the Family Blackwood, steeped in the grand fashion of British Military Traditions. This time Captain David Blackwood learns of the death of Brother Neil in South Africa and we get snippets of discontent for the manner in which the British are maintaining their Crimean tactics in a new Guerilla War with South African Farmers of Dutch descent. The main plot however finds Captain Blackwood and a small company of RMLI in China on a mission to escort a German Countess to the International holdings of Shanghai but become embroiled in the opening salvos of the "Boxer Rebellion". Other commenters are correct in saying that there is precious little political background here but then that is not the style of Reeman Novels. He writes as a soldier would write. A soldier does not spend a lot of time pondering the politics of the world. Their world is limited to their immediate group and their ultimate survival in whatever it is they are engaged in. Not healthy questioning orders, no matter what rank you hold. You do your duty

That's a Reeman novel. Heavy on duty and honour and a good dose of people you could easily like or remind you of someone very clearly defined on the pages.

If you read one and don't like it, don't buy another one because they all fit the mold. I for one, always have a Reeman novel ready to be read for when I need a break from heavy Tomes and dreary politics. When I just want to stretch out, be lazy and enjoy a good simple, straight forward but exciting yarn, then a Douglas Reeman Novel fits the bill, every time. Try one and let me know. Would love to hear from you.

3.0 out of 5 stars great book But..................., October 4, 2010

By 

MJG "MJG" (Punta Gorda Fl.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The First to Land (Hardcover)

Whether it is as Alexander Kent or Douglas Reeman the books are sure to please but I have to admit in this one the usually well done "love interest" was way over the top. It appeared so often at at such length It became an unwelcome distraction rather then a part of the main story.

4.0 out of 5 stars First to land, September 4, 2010

By 

Joey A. Docil - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The First to Land (The Royal Marines Saga) (Kindle Edition)

Enjoyed reading the book. Reminded me of one my favorite movies "55 Days in Peking" With Charlston Heston.