Signal-Close Action! (The Bolitho Novels) (Volume 12) [Paperback]

Alexander Kent (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Bolitho Novels | Publication Date: October 1, 1999

The year is 1798. Napoleon's naval forces are amassing in the Mediterranean, preparing to annex Egypt, and it is there the newly-promoted Commodore Richard Bolitho is sent with a small squadron of ships under his command.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“One of our foremost writers of naval fiction.”
–Sunday Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: McBooks Press (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935526676
• ISBN-13: 978-0935526677
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The complexity of command- when you are all there is...., October 24, 2003

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Signal-Close Action! (The Bolitho Novels) (Volume 12) (Paperback)

If you loved Forester's "Hornblower" series, as I did, then you will also appreciate Alexander Kent's "Richard Bolitho" tales. You do not get the sense that they are derivative of Forester's work, for they stand on their own original merit. The action flows nonstop and logically with hardly a calm or doldrum. The author clearly understands the complexities of handling and fighting a ship under sail. He doesn't just use nautical terminology and commands as colorful filler- he uses them accurately as a fundamental part of the narrative. In fact, as a secondary feature, these books are a decent primer on 18th century seamanship.

As much as the author excels at technical accuracy, his character development and knowledge of human nature is even stronger. He shows that the politics, gameplaying, and back-stabbing aboard a warship can be every bit as complex as that in a Turkish harem. Yet, there is the underlying sense of the imperative of setting a positive example as an officer, of showing your people that you can truly LEAD as well as you can simply COMMAND their daily lives.

In this volume Bolitho has been promoted to Commodore and given command of a squadron (three seventy-fours, a thirty-two gun frigate, and a sloop of war.) He takes command with orders to find out what Napoleon is up to in the Mediterrean- and then to handle it as best he sees fit. As the majority of the British fleet is tied up on blockade duty in the Atlantic, he will be the sole projection of British naval might this side of Gibraltar. The details of commanding an entire task force instead of a single vessel, as in the earlier volumes, is fascinating in and of itself. Ultimately, Bolitho finds that he must place his command between the Nile and an entire French fleet....

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Bolitho yet!, April 8, 2000

By 

Scott Blake - See all my reviews

This review is from: Signal-Close Action! (The Bolitho Novels) (Volume 12) (Paperback)

I've yet to read a Richard Bolitho book that I did not thoroughly enjoy. This one is my favorite one so far. It's full of the attention to detail, superb phrasing, and outstanding character description and development that Kent/Reeman's readers have grown accustomed to.

This work is a glittering example of why Bolitho is one of the most well-crafted and developed characters I've read. He is truly a classic hero, and with it is truly human with no trace of the superman tendencies which a lesser writer would use with the resulting lack of believability. Bolitho's foibles and imperfections are used here to great advantage.

The result is that I look forward to setting sail again with Bolitho more than ever. Any admirer of good fiction should be greatly pleased that the entire series is being reprinted and being made available in U.S. editions.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dashing Bonaparte's Oriental Ambitions!, April 25, 2000

By 

Donal A. O'Neill - See all my reviews

This review is from: Signal-Close Action! (The Bolitho Novels) (Volume 12) (Paperback)

It is with relief that admirers of Richard Bolitho learn that when Bonaparte launched his invasion of Egypt, the dashing sea-officer was not found wanting and was in the thick of efforts to frustrate the future Emperor's knavish tricks. As Mr.Kent tells the story in this splendid addition to the Bolitho Chronicles, the experience was however a far from pleasant one, and though Bolitho deservedly flies his flag at last, he must weather illness, conflict with his old friend Herrick , betrayal by an old colleague and a ferocious battle with a French squadron in the Corfu Channel before he can lay his ship alongside the enemy in the climactic Battle of the Nile. As always the historical and technical details add colour to the story and the faithful reader gets considerable satisfaction from following the fortunes and developing characters of the hero and his colleagues. Those who enjoy this book will also find satisfaction in Brian Lavery's excellent "Nelson and the Nile", which describes the entire 1798 Mediterranean Campaign from both the British and French viewpoints in lively and entertaining prose. One is only disappointed that t omits any mention of Bolitho's pivotal role. One wonders why!