Mammoth Book of Hearts of Oak [Paperback]

Mike Ashley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mammoth | Publication Date: August 31, 2001

A collection of seafaring stories from the age of frigates, cruisers, sloops and cannon fire. The authors include Richard Woodman, Keith Teylor, Derek Wilson, Amy Myers, Peter T. Garratt, Peter Tremayne and C.S. Forester.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Robinson Publishing (August 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841192791
• ISBN-13: 978-1841192796
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,746,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars 22 Fine Stories, April 16, 2009

By 

P. Keene "Pipester" (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mammoth Book of Hearts of Oak (Paperback)

In The Mammoth Book of Hearts of Oak: Classic and New Stories from the Age of Fighting Sail, Mike Ashley brings together 22 stories involving the Royal Navy from 1760 to 1821. The authors include some of the bright lights of contemporary Historic Naval fiction like David Donachie and Richard Woodman as well as the patriarchs of the genre, Marryat and Forester. More than half of the stories were written for this anthology by established writers of mystery, science fiction, horror and historical novels. Some are new appearances of stories by old masters like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and William Hope Hodgson. Despite the various origins, every story is a winner. As I read, I waited for the inevitable clunkers that fill out an anthology of this size - or at least the stories that were simply not to my taste. I am pleased to say that my expectations were not met. I enjoyed every story. In his thoughtful introduction, David Donachie muses on the enduring lure of Historic Naval Fiction, as well as on his own writing. He provides as good a response as any I've encountered to the folks who ask us, "Why do you read that stuff?" This anthology proves my long-held contention that short stories are an excellent fit with Historic Naval Fiction. I'd like to see more.